Chapter 6: Getting to Know You

Maya didn't sleep at all after that last text. She stared at her phone screen until her eyes started watering trying to figure out what to do. The Vipers knew about Sophie. Somehow they'd found out she had a sister and now they were using that information to get to her, they were using it as a threat against her.

She couldn't tell Dominic. If she told him he'd try to stop her from going and then who knows what the Vipers would do. Sophie was safe at home an hour away but these people had already proven they could find information when they wanted it. Maya couldn't risk her sister's safety over this.

At six in the morning she gave up on sleep, stood up and got dressed in yesterday's clothes. She grabbed her backpack and unlocked the door as quietly as possible. The apartment was silent. Maybe she could slip out before anyone woke up and deal with this herself, she thought.

She made it halfway across the living room before a voice stopped her.

"Where are you going?"

Maya turned around to find Dominic sitting on the couch in the dark like some kind of security guard. He looked like he hadn't slept either from the eyebags under his eyes.

"Class. I told you I wasn't missing class." Maya adjusted her backpack straps. "Thanks for letting me stay but I need to get to campus."

"It's six in the morning. Your first class isn't until nine."

"I like to study in the library before class."

Dominic stood up and walked closer. He was wearing the same sweatpants from last night plus a t shirt now. His hair stuck up on one side like he'd been running his hands through it. "You got more texts last night didn't you."

It wasn't a question. Maya thought about lying but what was the point. "How did you know?"

"Because you look terrified and you're trying to run away." He held out his hand. "Let me see."

"No."

"Maya."

"I said no. This is my problem not yours."

"Everything involving the Vipers is my problem." Dominic's voice stayed calm but his jaw was tight. "Show me the texts."

Maya wanted to refuse but she was so tired and scared that she couldn't think straight anymore. She pulled out her phone and handed it over without looking at him.

Dominic read the message and went completely still from shock. When he looked up his eyes were cold in a way that made Maya take a step back. "They threatened Sophie."

"I know."

"You weren't going to tell me."

"I was going to handle it myself."

"Handle it how? By walking into whatever trap they're setting at noon?" Dominic's voice got louder. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."

"They said come alone or they'd go after my sister." Maya grabbed her phone back. "What was I supposed to do?"

"Tell me so I could actually help you instead of trying to be some kind of hero and getting yourself killed." Dominic ran both hands through his hair making it stick up worse. "You're not going to that meeting."

"Yes I am."

"No you're not."

"You can't stop me."

"Watch me." Dominic pulled out his own phone. "I'm calling Jake and Connor. We'll have the entire squad covered before noon. If any Vipers show up we'll handle it."

"And what happens to Sophie when they realize I didn't come alone?" Maya's voice cracked. "I can't risk my sister because you want to play hero."

"I'm not playing anything. I'm trying to keep you both safe."

"By doing what? Starting a war with the Vipers in the middle of campus?" Maya shook her head. "That'll just make everything worse."

They stared at each other for some minutes and the silence carried weighty. Carol appeared in the hallway wearing a bathrobe and looking concerned.

"What's going on out here? I heard yelling."

Dominic showed her his phone. Carol read the message and her face went pale from pity. "Oh honey. You can't go to that meeting."

"I have to."

"No you don't." Carol walked over and put her hand on Maya's arm. "We'll figure something else out."

"There is nothing else." Maya pulled away. "I'm going. You can either help me or stay out of my way."

She headed for the door but Dominic moved to block it. "You're not leaving."

"Move."

"No."

Maya knew she couldn't physically get past him. He was bigger and stronger and probably trained in actual fighting unlike her one semester of self defense class. She was trapped and running out of time.

"Fine." She sat down on the couch and crossed her arms. "I'll wait until you're not looking and then I'll go."

"That's not going to work either."

"Then what do you suggest? Because I'm out of ideas and my sister's life is on the line."

Dominic exchanged a look with Carol who nodded like they were having a conversation without words. He sat down on the couch next to Maya but not too close.

"We're going to make a plan." His voice was calmer now. "A real plan that doesn't involve you walking into danger alone."

"They said come alone."

"And you really think they're going to honor that? They'll grab you the second you show up and then use you to get to the club." Dominic leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. "That's how they work. They make threats. Create panic. Force you to make stupid decisions."

Maya wanted to argue but she couldn't. He was probably right. The Vipers weren't going to have a civil conversation at noon. They were planning something and she was too exhausted and scared to figure out what.

"So what's your plan?" she asked.

"First we make sure Sophie is safe. Where does she go to school?"

"Riverside High. About an hour from here."

"I'll have someone pick her up and bring her to the clubhouse." Dominic was already texting. "She can stay with Carol until we sort this out."

"She has school."

"She has people threatening to hurt her. School can wait." Dominic looked up from his phone. "Unless you'd rather risk it?"

Maya thought about Sophie walking to school alone. Getting off the bus alone. Being vulnerable to anyone who wanted to grab her. "No. You're right. Get her here."

"Done. Jake's already on his way." Dominic set his phone down. "Now we need to eat. You look like you're about to pass out."

"I'm fine."

"You keep saying that and it's never true." Dominic stood up and walked to the kitchen. "Carol makes the best pancakes you've ever had. Trust me."

Carol smiled and started pulling out ingredients. Maya wanted to refuse but her stomach was completely empty and she couldn't remember the last time she ate something that wasn't instant ramen or vending machine snacks.

Dominic moved around the kitchen helping Carol like he'd done it a hundred times before. He measured flour while she cracked eggs. They worked together without talking much and Maya watched from the couch feeling like she'd stepped into someone else's life.

"You're studying business administration right?" Dominic asked while Carol mixed the batter.

"How do you know that?"

"I pay attention." He grabbed plates from the cabinet. "What do you want to do with it?"

"Get a job. Make money. Help my sister." Maya didn't know why she was answering his questions. "The usual stuff."

"That's pretty unclear and not precise."

"It's practical."

"Practical isn't the same as passionate." Dominic leaned against the counter watching her. "You must want something more than just a job."

Maya thought about her actual dreams. Opening her own consulting firm. Helping small businesses that couldn't afford big corporate consultants. Making a real difference instead of just pushing papers for some company that didn't care about her. But dreams required money and connections and luck she didn't have.

"What about you?" She turned the question around. "You're studying finance but you never go to class. What's that about?"

"I go to class."

"Once a month maybe."

"Someone's been watching me." Dominic smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "Should I be flattered?"

"It's hard not to notice when you roll up on campus like you own the place." Maya pulled her knees up to her chest. "Everyone talks about you."

"What do they say?"

"That you're rich. That you only got into the university because your dad donated a building. That you treat school like a joke." Maya met his eyes. "Are they wrong?"

"About most of it, yeah." Dominic took the batter from Carol and started pouring it onto the griddle. "My dad did donate a building but I got in on my own grades. And I take school seriously when it matters."

"When does it matter?"

"When I'm learning something useful instead of sitting through lectures about stuff I already know." He flipped the first pancake. "My dad's been training me to run his company since I was twelve. I've sat through enough business meetings to teach half the classes here."

Maya tried to picture twelve year old Dominic in a business meeting and couldn't. "That sounds awful."

"It was." Dominic slid the first pancake onto a plate and started another one. "That's why I started the club. Needed something that was mine."

"Your dad must have loved that."

"He hated it. Still hates it actually." Dominic's voice was flat. "But it's the one thing he can't control so I keep doing it."

Carol set the table and they all sat down to eat. The pancakes were as good as Dominic promised. Maya ate three out of them before she realized how hungry she'd been. Dominic kept refilling her coffee cup without asking and Carol made sure she had enough butter and syrup.

It felt weird sitting here eating breakfast with these people like they were family. Maya didn't do family meals. Her mom worked too much and Sophie was always busy with school. Most days Maya ate alone while doing homework or getting ready for her next shift.

"Why do you work so hard?" Dominic asked between bites. "The two jobs plus full course load. That's not sustainable."

"It's what I have to do."

"But why? Most students take loans or get help from their parents."

"My mom can barely sustain us." Maya set down her fork. "I'm not asking her for money when she's already drowning. And loans mean debt which means I'll be paying for school for the next twenty years."

"So you're killing yourself to avoid debt?"

"I'm working hard to build a future." Maya's voice got defensive. "Not everyone has trust funds to fall back on."

Dominic's jaw tightened. "You think my life is easy?"

"Easier than mine."

"You don't know anything about my life."

"I know enough." Maya stood up and grabbed her plate. "Thanks for breakfast but I need to get ready for class."

She walked to the kitchen sink but Dominic followed her. "What do you know exactly? That I have money? That my dad is successful? You think that means everything is handed to me?"

"Isn't it?"

"No." Dominic took the plate from her hands. "My dad controls everything I do. Where I go to school. What I study. Who I spend time with. The club is the only thing that's actually mine and he's been trying to shut it down since I started it."

"At least you have choices." Maya turned to face him. "I don't get to choose anything. I work or I starve. I study or I lose my scholarship. I do what I'm told or I end up like my mom working three jobs just to survive."

They were standing close enough that Maya could see gold flecks in Dominic's eyes. Could smell whatever soap he used. Could feel the heat coming off his body. Her heart was racing but not from anger anymore.

"You're right." Dominic's voice was quieter now. "I have it easier than you in a lot of ways. But that doesn't mean my life is perfect or that I haven't worked for anything."

Maya wanted to argue but she was too tired. "Can we not do this right now?"

"Do what?"

"Compare whose life is worse. I don't have the energy for it."

Dominic smiled and it was genuine this time. "Fair enough."

Maya's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out expecting another threat but it was from Jake saying he had Sophie and they were on their way to the clubhouse. Relief flooded through her so fast.

"Sophie's safe." She showed Dominic the text. "Your guy got her."

"Good. One less thing to worry about."

Maya's phone buzzed again immediately. Different number. Her stomach dropped before she even read it.

We have eyes everywhere. Your sister is safe for now. But if you don't show up at noon we'll find her. And we'll make sure you watch what happens.