𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 94 : 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐀 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭.

𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°

Antonio carries Maya up through the ship’s narrow companionway, ignoring the half-shadowed stares of the crew.

The wet sound of her breathing against his throat and the rhythmic creak of metal under his boots anchored him until he settled them both into the blacked-out speedboat tied at the lowest pier.

One hand stayed on the wheel; the other kept constant touch— sometimes between her shoulder blades. Patting, the next second, brushing her sweat-damp hair like a brother would do. Just anything to remind her she’s no longer restrained.

None of them uttered a word for some time, but then halfway across the black water Maya’s voice cracked the silence, asking if she could remove her blindfold.

“Can I take the band off now?”

Antonio waited for a small beat, then answered without turning. “Go on.”

She clawed at the knot with trembling fingers. And in seconds, the blindfold fell away. Her red-rimmed eyes locked on his profile. The very last person she'd pray for

“You?”

The word came out with angst.

“Yes,” Antonio's voice flowed in, very low. He continued until the dock view hit, not far away.

He cut the engine, and the boat drifted the last few meters and kissed the private dock with a dull thud.

“We need to move,” he added quietly.

“No—no—no—” A raw, animal sob ripped out of Maya. “You murdered brother.”

“Seriously” Antonio held her gaze. Already bored. “I protected you up till this point, you think I'd do something bad to you too.”

“You’re a murderer.” Her fingers curled into claws, knuckles bone-white. “Murderers don’t feel anything. Stay away from me.”

Today Antonio didn’t feel offended. Maya had liked him up until he snatched their Willow. Now she hated him more than anyone alive, even though he just pulled her from Lucas' metal tomb.

He didn’t argue, nor defend himself. He just watched the grief eat her alive for three long seconds.

Then he shrugged a shoulder, and stepped out of the boat, heading towards his car (parked somewhere discreet near the docks). But three paces forward, he stopped. Looked back over his shoulder.

“Maya” he throated her name since this whole incident . “Repulsing and hating me won't resurrect Willow, rather it will only put Mother Liza in the ground next to him.”

Maya flicked her sore eyes at him, his words were surprisingly a coat of truth.

Still trying to recover from the truth that cut deepest, his voice dropped lower. “Come sit in the car, that's the only way I can finish this rescue.”

Maya stayed frozen on the boat, eyes locked to his retreating back—hatred, truth and terror twisting into something unrecognizable.

The car door clanged shut after him and he started the engine. Three minutes later she pulled the passenger door open, and slid into the back seat without a word.

Antonio flicked his cuffs, put the car in gear, and steered it toward the one place the passenger princess knew by muscle memory.

☆𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚 𝐀𝐳𝐮𝐥.☆

He killed the engine on the gravel turnout just at the outskirts of Sombra Azul.

“Here.” He held out a matte black business card—gold foil edges, with his number embossed deep. “Call me. Anytime.”

Maya stared at it and hissed. Unblinkingly, she shoved the door open and stepped out.

Antonio went after her, rounding to the left back side in three strides. He reached for her arm on instinct and pulled.

The second his fingers closed and his energy flowed, she exploded—shoved at his chest with the other hand, nails raking red lines across his skin. “No—no—leave me!” A squib tore out. “I hate you..”

“Like I care?” a sharper emotional voice tore out from Antonio.

“I’m already entangled in hell by walking off that ship with you, the women in my life are just painting a bigger target on me. Don’t make it worse by playing stubborn.”

Maya didn't have to fight again, because he forced the card into her palm and released her like dropping trash. Completely.

He turned and got back into his car, zooming off without any other conviction.

She lifted the bespoken card, studied it a long second, then tucked it deep inside the coat he gave her, because her mother wouldn't hear of it.

☆𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.☆

As Antonio walked into his house that evening, the news of his rebellion already settled.

The crew of securities stared and parted with salute, but none mustered up to confront him about the consequences.

Fuck!

He groaned on reaching his room.

With reckless care, he dropped like a sack of grain on his bed. Weariness.

“Mmh!” He exhaled, the second real exhale in forty-eight hours or maybe relaxation he'd missed while in jail.

The relief didn't go as planned, because Grinch immediately pushed into the room without knocking. Antonio tilted his head and looked.

“Devil's incarnate” he cursed, and squeezed his eyelids shut dramatically.

Grinch doesn’t go straight to him. He crossed the room and drew the curtains. “Words starting to spread that you chose cunt over power, and as your Consigliere—,”

“Pussy?”Antonio slammed up a fast, dangerous glint in his eye. “For fuck sake, that's Maya.”

Grinch paused, holding an uncertain gaze “Can’t be trusted anymore.”

Antonio stared at him a beat longer, then collapsed back onto the sheets, he needed that rest but the weapon fashioned against him as a consigliere wouldn't approve it.

Grinch crossed over and settled beside him efficiently, “Man! You're quietly dismantling pieces of your empire from the edges. Old allies are distancing themselves.”

Antonio pried an eye open “Save the sermon for when I wake up” he whispered but Grinch didn't give in.

“You need to hear this. Those women are just weakness. Lucas is already smelling it. Soon others….”

“Lecture’s over.” Antonio rolled off the bed, and towered to his full length, heading for the exit.

Grinch didn’t move. “Swear you're rushing to bash her kitty” he mocked, anticipating where Antonio was heading to. “Come back man, you won't find a trace of her at that guesthouse.”

Antonio glitched, hurling a hand at his door knob. “I don't know what you're speaking about. I'm heading to the hotel”

Grinch walked up to him with a dry laugh. “Fighting to deny it means that I am actually right.”

“Save arguments for your dame(woman).” Antonio shrugged him off. “I need rest and some hardcore. Not necessarily in that order.”

Grinch dug out his phone and dialed a number. “Send your finest” he told the line before cutting the mobile.

By the time the call ended, Antonio was already gone.

******

The night was gone and was already history, Nevena yawned, feeling a little lightheaded because of the knock on her door, though it was soft.

One quick glance at the wall clock showed that it was 8:15AM.

She repositioned her position, and rumbled. “You can come in.”

Sophia walked in still in pajama shorts and a tank top, broom already in hand.

“Good morning Nev. How was your first night” she murmured.

“Quiet.” Nevena rubbed away the last sleep in her eyes. “It was like the world finally shut up.”

Sophia turned off the light and opened the curtains, gray morning light sliced across the room.

Nevena reached towards her direction, like she was seeking for something.

Sophia lifted the broom out of reach like a reflex, her brows curiously. “Do you need something?”

“The broom” Nevena managed, croaky. “I will tidy and help with breakfast in minutes.”

Sophia sized her dramatically from head to toe, then began sweeping. “I won't brag about being hardworking. Sweetheart I'm a lazy ass, but even at that you're a guest here.”

“You're already doing a lot.” Nevena tried again. “Allow me this much”

The motion was tempting, but Sophia slapped her hand off and continued with the sweeping. “Grinch must be using you to test me. I can't fail woefully.”

Nevena opened her mouth again, but the doorbell cut her off—sharp, impatient.

Sophia froze mid-sweep. Packed the dirt pile with one efficient motion. Looked back at Nevena.

“Stay here. I will serve your breakfast.”

She walked out without another word, broom still in her grip like a weapon.