Chapter 6 - THE NIGHT MAYA DISAPPEARED
Julian increased security immediately.
Two guards outside the building.
A driver waiting every morning.
Cameras around the penthouse.
Maya hated every second of it.
"I don't need a bodyguard."
Julian looked at her.
"Yes, you do."
"I am not a prisoner."
"No."
His voice softened.
"You are someone I am trying to keep alive."
Those words made her angry.
Not because he was wrong.
Because they were true.
"I never asked for this."
Julian nodded.
"I know."
"Then why?"
He looked at her.
"Because I would rather have you angry at me than buried."
Maya went silent.
She didn't know what to say.
Because underneath all the fear…
Was something else.
Something she was afraid to admit.
She felt safe with him.
And that scared her more than danger.
Three days passed.
No sign of Vincent.
No threats.
No messages.
For a moment, Maya thought maybe it was over.
She was wrong.
Because people like Vincent did not disappear.
They waited.
That night, Maya finished cleaning the kitchen.
Julian was in his office.
She looked at the clock.
11:45 PM.
Old habits returned.
She quietly grabbed her coat.
She needed air.
Just a short walk.
Five minutes.
She left without telling anyone.
Because she didn't want to feel controlled.
Because she wanted one moment where she wasn't someone's responsibility.
But the second she stepped outside...
A black car turned the corner.
Maya stopped.
Her instincts screamed.
The car door opened.
A man stepped out.
Not Vincent.
Someone else.
A stranger.
"Maya Torres?"
Her heart raced.
"Who are you?"
The man smiled.
"Someone who has a message."
She stepped back.
"What message?"
He looked toward the building.
Then back at her.
"Julian Croft can't protect everyone."
Maya froze.
Before she could react...
A hand grabbed her arm.
She screamed.
But the city swallowed the sound.
Inside the penthouse, Julian suddenly looked at his watch.
Something felt wrong.
He didn't know why.
He just knew.
He picked up his phone.
"Maya?"
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
His face changed.
"Derek."
The call connected instantly.
"Find her."
"Julian—"
"NOW."
Derek heard the fear in his voice.
The same fear Julian never showed anyone.
The man who controlled Chicago.
The man who made enemies tremble.
Was shaking.
Because for the first time...
May you like
Someone had taken the one person he couldn't lose.
TO BE CONTINUED...
