Novels by Rahmore

Chapter TwelveMaya's POVAt 4 PM, Lina abandons her usual duties and helps me into the black velvet gown.Eva's gown.The one I have to return in perfect condition or we're both screwed.I turn slowly in front of my mirror, taking in my reflection.The waist is snatched so tight I can barely breathe. The off-shoulder neckline sits lower than I'd like. Not revealing, exactly, but close. The train pools around my legs like dark water. One wrong step and I'll face-plant in front of Chicago's elite.Perfect."You look..." Lina gasps behind me."I look what?" I glance at her in the mirror, smiling slightly. "Come on. Say it.""Alright." She reaches for the zipper and pulls it up the rest of the way. "You look good."I give her a pointed look. "Are you joking with me? Be serious, Lina.""I am serious!" She giggles. "Just make sure nothing happens to it, or…""We're both screwed." I finish her sentence. "I've got this. Don't worry."I pair the dress with silver earrings. Knockoffs, but they

Chapter ElevenMaya's POVThe closet door swings open.I step out slowly, one foot at a time, like I'm walking through a minefield. Heat crawls up my neck. My face is burning.This is mortifying.Jax stands in the hallway, arms crossed. His eyes meet mine first, then slide past me to where Finn is emerging from the closet behind me.Finn doesn't flinch. Just stares back at Jax, jaw set, shoulders squared."What's going on here?" Jax's voice is calm. Too calm. "Everything okay?""Fine." The word comes out too fast. Too high. "Everything's fine."Jax's eyes narrow slightly. "I told you to stay away from my girl."He's looking at Finn now. The air between them crackles.Finn scoffs. He brushes past us without another word. "We're done here."Jax watches him disappear around the corner. He doesn't move until Finn's completely out of sight.Then he looks at me."What was that about, Maya?""What? You mean Finn?" I force a laugh. It sounds hollow. "He just wanted to discuss the PR strategy.

Chapter TenMaya's POVFinn pulls me into the service closet before I can react.The door clicks shut behind us, and suddenly we're surrounded by darkness. The smell of cleaning supplies burns my nose. A mop handle digs into my shoulder blade.I yank my hand away from his grip. "What is wrong with you?""We need to talk.""In a closet?" My voice comes out louder than I intended. I force it down to a harsh whisper. "What do you think people will say if they see this? You're ruining everything for me."“I don't have to be involved with you. Do you hear me? Don't you understand?Tara made it clear that…”"I don't care." His voice is too close. Too rough. "Let them say whatever they want."I can feel his breath on my face. Hot. Unsteady.The space is impossibly small. Maybe three feet wide. Our bodies are inches apart, and every time I try to step back, I hit a shelf or a bucket or the damn wall."Finn, this is insane…""I need to hear the truth, Maya.""What truth?" I push at his chest,

Chapter NineMaya's POVI couldn't sleep at night. I am anxious about how bad things could get if Ray happens to know where i live.It felt like i was standing guard for Leo, while he slept.It wasn't a nice experience. My eyelids feel very heavy, and i find myself dozing off every minute. I suddenly wished for Leo to grow up quickly. If he was bigger, we would have taken turns.The stress is on another level.I finally fall face down on my bed by 1 PM.That is when i felt less threatened. And exhaustion has won me over.I shouldn't be going to bed by this time. I'll wake up disoriented in the morning.And I have to show up early at practice at the agency tomorrow.The practice rink smells like ice and sweat and too many bodies crammed into one space.I walk in slowly, gripping my clipboard like it's the only thing keeping me upright. Reporters line the walls, cameras already raised. Of course they're here. They're always here now.The practice session today could get messy if I'm not

Chapter EightMaya's POV"You can head home early today."I look up from my desk. Tara stands in the doorway of her office, tablet in hand, looking almost... pleased?"Really?""You've earned it." She taps the screen. "Keep doing what you're doing with Jax. We're getting the exact response we need."I nod, not trusting myself to speak.The second she disappears back into her office, I grab my bag and practically sprint for the elevator. I don't want to run into Celeste. Or Jax. Or,God forbid—Finn.The doors close, and I finally exhale.Lina's surprised when I walk through the door at three in the afternoon."You're home early!" She's folding laundry on the couch, one of Leo's dinosaur shirts in her hands."Tara gave me the rest of the day off." I drop my bag by the door. "You can go. I've got it from here.""You sure?" She glances toward Leo's room, where I can hear the faint sounds of him talking to himself—probably narrating some elaborate adventure with his toys."Positive. You des

Chapter SevenMaya's POVTen steps. Twenty. Thirty.I count each step as I walk into the agency, like the numbers can shield me from what's coming. By the time I reach forty, I know it's not working. I wanted to feel safe and let my guard down.But eyes follow me down the hallway. A woman from the accounting department.Sarah? Sandra?watches me pass, her lips curled into a smirk. Two guys from the marketing department lean against the wall, whispering. One of them doesn't even try to hide his stare. Like I've commited the worst crime and they are about to throw me to the dogs.I glance down at my pants. There’s no terrible stain. Nothing out of place.So why do I feel like I'm walking naked through a firing squad?The whispers start behind me. Soft at first, then louder. I can't make out the words,I wish i could. But I catch the tone. Judgment,Amusement,Speculation.My face burns. I walk faster.Don't react. Don't give them anything.I'm about to turn the corner toward my desk when a