LOGINMaya’s POVMy heart slammed against my ribs like a wild bird trapped in a cage. I stayed bent over Mr. Havisham’s big wooden desk, my blue dress still pushed up around my waist. Cool air touched my bare skin. His hands gripped my hips tight from behind. The sound of our bodies still echoed in my ears. Then the door clicked open.Chloe stood there in her yellow summer dress. Her blonde hair looked messy like she had run here fast. Her eyes went wide when she saw us. Me. Her father. Like this.“Oh my God,” she whispered. Her voice cracked. “Maya? Dad?”I tried to stand up straight but Mr. Havisham held me in place for one second longer. His fingers pressed into my skin like a warning. Then he stepped back slowly and fixed his tie. A small smile played on his lips. He looked so calm. Like nothing bad happened.“Chloe, sweetheart,” he said in that low smooth voice. “This is not what it looks like.”I pulled my dress down with shaking hands. My face burned hot. Te
Maya’s POVThe warehouse lights blinded me for a second. Mr. Havisham’s voice echoed from the speakers again. “Welcome back to the game, Maya. I’m not dead yet.” The words sent ice down my back. I pushed away from Liam and looked around. Red camera lights blinked on the walls like evil eyes.Liam pulled up his pants fast. “That bastard. He planned this. The cameras were here the whole time.”I fixed my clothes with shaky hands. “He is watching us right now? After the river house and the motel, he still follows me?”We moved deeper into the warehouse. Old boxes and rusty shelves filled the space. Liam found a small office room at the back. The door was half open. We stepped inside carefully. Papers covered a metal desk. Dust floated in the air.“Look at this,” Liam said. He picked up a stack of folders. “Party guest lists. Masked events. Names from the Cross family and Havisham’s company.”I opened one folder. Photos spilled out. Pictures from the truth or dar
Maya’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 POVThe sky was still dark when I left the cabin. The cold air touched my face and made me shiver. I wore a warm jacket Liam gave me. My legs felt heavy from the long night. The little girl slept inside with Sarah. I kissed her forehead before I left. She looked so peaceful. She is only five
Maya’s POV I stood in the middle of the old factory. The big room felt cold and empty. Victoria Cross stood in front of me. She held the small bag with the medicine. Her red hair looked bright under the old lights. She smiled like she knew she had won. My heart beat fast. The children needed this m
Maya’s POVI stood in the middle of the clearing with the little girl in my arms. Her small body felt warm against me. Victoria Cross waited in front of the old house. She held the boy by the hand. He looked just like the girl. Same curly hair, same eyes. My heart hurt looking at them. Two children
Maya’s POVI held the little girl close as we walked through the dark forest. Her small hand gripped my shirt. The night air felt cold on my skin. My legs hurt from running, but I kept moving. Sarah walked beside me. My real sister. She looked tired but strong. Liam stayed close behind us. His eyes







