Mary stirred awake, her body feeling surprisingly refreshed.
She had braced herself for soreness, expecting aches and pains after the marathon session with Ross.
But to her amazement, there was none—just a lingering warmth that spread through her like a comforting embrace.
Her mind replayed the night before, snippets of heated passion flashing vividly.
Ross had taken her for hours, their bodies tangled together in an unrelenting rhythm until she’d finally passed out, utterly spent.
A soft blush spread across her cheeks at the memory.
Turning her head, she saw him lying beside her, his features relaxed in peaceful slumber.
His chest rose and fell steadily, a faint hint of a smile playing on his lips even in sleep. Mary’s heart swelled with affection as she admired him.
Quietly, she scooted closer, wrapping her arms around his muscular arm and nuzzling against him.
The scent of his skin, a mix of warmth and masculinity, made her smile.
This was what she had dreamed about for so long—the closeness, the intimacy, the feeling of being completely his.
A satisfied grin spread across her face as she hugged his arm tighter.
It was worth it, she thought, her heart filled with a happiness she’d never known before.
She had waited what felt like an eternity for this moment, and now that it had finally happened, it was even more perfect than she’d imagined.
"I love you, Ross," Mary whispered softly, her voice barely audible, as though speaking it too loudly might shatter the magic of the moment.
She pressed a gentle kiss to his shoulder and closed her eyes again, her body melting into his warmth.
For the first time in forever, she felt completely at peace, and sleep quickly claimed her once more.
While Mary was enjoying the time of her life, someone else wasn’t having nearly as much fun.
"Don’t move."
The soft, whispery voice cut through the quiet room like a knife.
Maya froze, her fingers inches away from attaching the hidden camera to the small clock on the bedside table.
A chill ran down her spine as she processed the sudden intrusion.
Slowly, she raised her hands, releasing the device, which clattered softly onto the table.
Turning cautiously, she faced the source of the voice. Her stomach sank as she took in the man standing behind her.
He was massive, his bulk filling the doorway, and his face was as menacing as his size suggested.
A tattoo of a black cross sat starkly beneath his lips, confirming exactly who he was.
The Black Cross Gang’s enforcers were known for their brutality, and she had just crossed paths with one of them.
"I said don’t move," he snarled, his voice low and dripping with disdain.
The gun in his hand was pointed squarely at her chest, unwavering. "Or are you deaf, you dumb bitch?"
Maya’s sharp eyes darted around the room, searching for anything she could use to her advantage, but the chances of her getting out of this unscathed looked slim.
"Fuck you," she hissed, her voice steady despite the fear bubbling beneath her calm facade.
The man’s lips curled into a cruel grin, revealing gold-capped teeth that glinted in the dim light.
"Oh, feisty. I like that. Maybe I’ll fuck you instead," he said, his gaze roaming over her body like a predator sizing up its prey. "A beautiful woman with big assets… just my type."
Her jaw tightened, but she said nothing, keeping her expression blank even as disgust rolled through her.
She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her rattled.
"Move," he ordered, motioning with the gun. "And don’t try anything stupid. I won’t think twice about putting a bullet in that pretty head of yours. I’ve got plenty of bitches back home to keep me entertained, so don’t think you’re special."
Gritting her teeth, Maya stepped away from the table, her movements deliberate and slow.
As she crossed the threshold into the hallway, her eyes caught sight of someone who made her blood boil—a maintenance worker she had bribed earlier to gain access to the room.
He was standing there, a smug expression on his face, confirming her suspicion that her cover had been blown.
"Someone who plays both sides rarely lives long," Maya spat, her tone ice-cold as her eyes burned into the man.
The maintenance worker shrugged, clearly unbothered by her threat.
"Sorry, miss beautiful, but a man’s gotta eat. Besides, I’ll bet I outlive you in this life." He chuckled, his voice grating.
"Enough trash talk," the big man growled, shoving Maya forward with the barrel of the gun.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a thick wad of $20 bills, and tossed it at the maintenance worker’s feet. "Here’s your payment. Now get lost."
"Thank you, boss!" the worker said, eagerly scooping up the cash. He shot Maya a mocking grin before bowing slightly and hurrying away, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Maya’s fists clenched at her sides as she resisted the urge to lash out. The man behind her wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger, and she needed to stay alive long enough to figure a way out of this mess.
"Walk," the big man barked, jabbing her back with the gun again. "You’re about to have the most unforgettable day of your life, Miss Maya Pierce."
Her stomach twisted as he said her name. They knew exactly who she was, which meant this wasn’t a random encounter.
Someone had tipped them off, and now she was in deeper trouble than she had anticipated.
He led her down a dimly lit hallway, his heavy footsteps reverberating in the eerie silence. Maya’s mind raced, searching for an opening, any weakness she could exploit.
She noted the slight limp in his step, the holster at his hip carrying a second weapon, and the faint smell of alcohol on his breath.
As they approached the service elevator, the man reached out to press the button. For a brief moment, his attention was split, and Maya’s muscles tensed.
Could she make a move? But before she could act, he turned back to her, his eyes narrowing.
"Don’t even think about it," he warned, his tone icy. "I’ll put a bullet in you before you take a single step."
Maya forced herself to relax, exhaling slowly to keep her composure.
"You’re making a big mistake," she said, her voice low but firm. "You think you’re in control, but you don’t know who you’re dealing with."
The man chuckled darkly. "Oh, I know exactly who I’m dealing with," he said. "You’re the nosy private investigator who’s been sticking her pretty nose where it doesn’t belong. The boss told us you’d show up eventually. Too bad for you, this story’s about to end."
The elevator dinged, and he shoved her inside, pressing the button for the basement.
Maya’s heart pounded as the doors closed, trapping her with her captor. She didn’t have much time.
"Let’s see how tough you are when you’re tied up and begging for mercy," he sneered, his grin widening.
Maya’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t respond. She needed to conserve her energy and wait for the right moment.
She thought about Ross and how incredible her life had been lately, a stark contrast to the peril she now faced.
Closing her eyes briefly, she whispered a silent prayer, pleading with the gods to lend her strength and guide her through this moment of danger.
***
Huge shoutout and thanks to ddecoen for the gifts!
You are awesome! Thank you! ^_^