Chapter 6 - MAYA’S ROOM IN THE SHADOW OF EMPIRE
The east wing felt like a luxury hotel.
Warm golden light spilled from recessed ceiling lamps.
Clara hurried down the carpeted hallway.
Mrs. Gable opened a set of double doors.
Inside, Maya lay propped up against plush white pillows.
Color had returned to her cheeks.
An intravenous drip hummed softly beside the bed.
“Clara!” Maya smiled weakly, holding out her arms.
Clara rushed forward, burying her face in her sister’s shoulder.
Tears finally broke free.
“Are you okay?” Clara choked out.
“I feel great,” Maya whispered.
“A nice doctor gave me medicine, and a man brought me strawberry ice cream.”
Clara looked up.
Standing in the doorway was Lorenzo Moretti.
He leaned against the frame, watching them quietly.
“Was the ice cream satisfactory, Maya?” Lorenzo asked.
Maya grinned.
“It was the best I ever had.”
Clara stood up, stepping between Lorenzo and her sister.
“Leave us alone,” Clara hissed.
Lorenzo raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.
“I merely checked on my guest.”
“She is not your guest, she’s a hostage,” Clara said.
“She is safe,” Lorenzo corrected.
“Which is more than I can say for your apartment.”
Clara froze.
“What do you mean?”
“My men searched your place thirty minutes ago.”
“You searched my home without permission?!”
“Somebody else searched it first, Clara.”
May you like
Lorenzo’s voice dropped into a dangerous register.
“And they left a calling card.”
