Chapter 16 - Maya Questions Julian's True Motives And Dangerous Power
The warmth of Julian’s hand against hers felt grounding, yet a quiet instinct at the back of Maya’s mind hummed with unease. She studied his profile, noticing the subtle tension lingering around his eyes despite his calm exterior.
“Julian, look at me,” Maya said softly, gently tugging her hand free from his grip. He turned his dark gaze toward her, raising a questioning eyebrow as he waited for her to speak.
“How did those loan sharks disappear so fast? Why did they look like they had seen a ghost when your men showed up?” Maya asked, her voice laced with sudden skepticism. Julian didn't flinch, maintaining his composed, unreadable expression.
“People in my position have ways of resolving business disputes quickly, Maya,” Julian answered smoothly. Maya shook her head slowly, leaning back against her chair as frustration flickered in her blue eyes.
“That wasn't a business dispute, Julian; those men were terrified of you—not of corporate lawyers, but of you,” Maya pressed further. She remembered the rumors whispered around the city about the Croft empire, stories of men who vanished into the lake and debts that were settled with blood.
“You are safe in this house, Maya; that is all you ever need to know,” Julian said firmly, his voice carrying the absolute authority of a man accustomed to being obeyed without question. Maya felt a cold shiver run down her spine, not from fear of him, but from the terrifying depth of his power.
“Safe from what? Safe from loan sharks, or safe from whatever war you're fighting behind closed doors?” Maya challenged quietly. Julian stood up from the table, walking over to the window to put distance between them.
“You don't understand the world I operate in, Maya; some doors are better left closed,” Julian stated coldly. Maya stood up to follow him, her patience snapping under the weight of her own growing anxiety.
May you like
“I lived in the dark for months trying to survive, Julian; I am not made of glass, and I deserve to know the truth about what is happening around me,” Maya demanded, her voice echoing in the quiet kitchen. Julian turned around sharply, his dark eyes flashing with suppressed emotion.
Before he could answer, the entire penthouse shuddered violently as a deafening explosion echoed from the underground parking garage far below.
Related Stories
