Acknowledging Piper

"You're bold now, huh?" Maverick asked nonchalantly.

"I– " Piper shrank her neck. She had forgotten who she had been talking to. She only wanted to defend her boyfriend. 

"Sorry," she apologized with her head lowered. 

"What for?" Maverick raised his book and continued to read. 

"For crossing the line," she bit her lower lip.

"Was there a line?" He slowly flipped a page.

"I–" Piper didn't know what else to say, so she kept quiet. 

"Why are you here?" Maverick asked calmly. 

"To beg you, big brother." 

Maverick raised a brow. "Oh?" 

Piper got up and went on her knees, catching Jeslyn and Brian's attention. 

Maverick slowly closed his book and glanced at Piper before shifting his face to Jeslyn who was glaring at him.