LOGINMaya’s POVGunshots cracked through the night. Glass shattered in the main room. I jumped out of bed and grabbed my clothes. Liam already had his gun in hand. His face looked hard in the dim light.“Stay low!” he shouted. “They are shooting at the windows.”Another bullet hit the wall near us. Wood splinters flew everywhere. I pulled on my shirt fast. My heart hammered in my chest. The children started crying in the back room.“Julian, stop this!” I yelled toward the broken window. “You said you would give me one day!”Julian’s voice came back loud through a speaker. “Plans change, Maya. Bring out the girl now or I burn the place with all of you inside!”Sarah ran into our room with the children. The little girl clung to my leg. The boy hid his face in Sarah’s shoulder. Their small bodies shook with fear.“We have to run,” Sarah said. Her voice trembled. “Alexander is outside. He can take us through the back trees.”Liam checked his gun. “Maya and I will draw them away. You take the k
Maya’s POVJulian stood in the headlights with two men beside him. Their shadows stretched long across the dirt road. I stepped forward from the cabin porch, my heart racing. Sarah had pulled the children into the back room. Liam stayed just inside the door, ready to act.“Answer now, Maya,” Julian called out. “Join me or lose everything.”I crossed my arms to hide my shaking hands. “You show up with guns and expect me to say yes? Lower your weapons first. The children are scared.”Julian waved his hand. The men lowered their guns slightly. “Better? I am offering you power. Help me take the empire and the children stay with you. Safe. Rich. Free from Havisham forever.”Liam stepped out beside me. “She does not need your help, Julian. Walk away.”Julian laughed. “Always the protector, cousin. But Maya knows the truth now. The council voted. Forty eight hours and Victoria takes the girl. The boy too if she fights.”I felt cold inside. “How do you know about the vote?”“Because I sit on
Maya’s POVThe knock on the motel door made me jump. I stuffed the letter into my dress pocket and wiped my face quickly. My heart pounded as I opened the door a crack.Liam stood outside. His face looked tight with worry. “Maya. I followed from a distance. Are you okay?”I stepped back to let him in. The room still smelled like sex and Havisham’s cologne. “I am fine. He left a few minutes ago.”Liam closed the door and locked it. He pulled me into a hug. His arms felt strong around me. “I hated letting you go with him. Did he hurt you?”I pulled away gently. The letter burned in my pocket like fire. “Not more than usual. We need to get back to the cabin. The children will worry.”He studied my face. “Something is wrong. Talk to me.”I shook my head and grabbed my coat. “Not now. It is late. Let us go.”The drive back was quiet. Liam tried to hold my hand once but I moved it away. The words from my sister’s letter repeated in my head. Liam helped cover it up. Do not trust him. I wante
Maya’s POVThe air in the cabin turned thick. Mr. Havisham stood at the door with three armed men behind him. Their guns pointed low but ready. Sarah stepped back quickly. The children hid behind her legs. Liam moved in front of me, his body tense like a coiled spring.“Miss me, Maya?” Havisham said with that calm smile. “We have unfinished business.”I swallowed hard. My hands felt cold. “Leave them alone. I will come with you. Just do not hurt anyone here.”Havisham tilted his head. “Smart choice. You always know when to behave. Tell your friends to stay put. No calls. No following.”Liam turned to me. His eyes burned with anger. “Maya, do not do this. We can fight.”I touched his arm lightly. “Not now. The children are right here. I will be okay. Go inside and lock the door.”Sarah nodded at me with tears in her eyes. “Be careful, Maya. Come back to us.”The little girl peeked out. “Aunt Maya, do not go with the bad man.”I forced a small smile. “I will be back soon, sweetheart. Li
Maya’s POV I stood in the middle of the dark room. The fake Sarah pointed her gun at Liam. Why does my life stay full of pain and touches from strangers? I just want peace with the people I love. Liam looked at me with strong eyes. “Maya do not listen to her. She is not your sister.” The fake Sarah smiled. “But I lived every hard moment with you. I know your body, I know your shame. Choose me and we rule together.” Richard Cross watched from the corner. He smiled like he enjoyed the show. Sophia and Elena held each other close. I took one step toward the fake Sarah. She lowered the gun a little. “Good choice,” she said. She pulled me close and kissed me deep. Her mouth felt familiar but wrong. Her hands moved under my clothes and touched my breasts. She squeezed them gently. Heat came back to my body, I kissed her back. Her fingers slid between my legs. I was wet again. She rubbed me slow, pleasure started to build. I moaned soft against her lips. She pushed me on the bed. She o
Maya’s POVThe car raced through the dark streets. Liam kept one hand on the wheel and the other near his phone. My fingers still gripped the screen with Julian’s message. The photo of the sleeping children made my chest tight. We had to get back fast.“We are almost there,” Liam said. His voice stayed calm but I heard the worry underneath. “Sarah and Alexander moved them to the new place like we planned.”I nodded and looked out the window. Trees passed by in a blur. “Julian knows where they are. He is playing with us.”Liam glanced at me. “We will not let him win. You did good stealing that USB from Annabelle. We look at it together after we check on the kids.”The safe house appeared at the end of a quiet road. It was a small wooden cabin hidden behind tall trees. Lights glowed softly from the windows. Liam parked and we hurried inside. The door opened before we knocked.Sarah stood there with tired eyes. The little girl ran straight to me and hugged my legs. The boy followed, rubb







