Chapter 4 - A Past That Won’t Stay Buried
1067 Words
Maya’s pulse quickened the moment her eyes locked onto the guard at the doorway.
Liam Brooks.
Her supposed long-lost brother.
She grasped Alexander's desk edge and pressed her fingertips on the wood. "Say that once more, I defy you."
The security officer cringed uneasily. “Liam Brooks is here. And he claims Maya isn’t who we think she is.”
Maya’s breath hitched.
Alexander's whole body froze alongside her. His grey eyes sharpened, indicating a storm brewing beneath his placid facade.
"Where is he?" Alexander’s voice was low, lethal.
The guard hesitated. “In the foyer. We have him under monitoring, but he is unarmed."
Maya breathed shakily, trying to remain steady. "I need to see him."
Alexander’s grip tightened around her wrist, halting her in place. "No, you don't."
Maya shifted her attention towards him. "Alexander, you can't keep me from doing this. I should look into if he knows something about me.
His grip tightened slightly. “He could be dangerous.”
Maya pulled free, her pulse hammering. "Then let's check."
Alexander's jaw tingled, but after a second, he gave a nod.
Hardly uttering anything more, he guided them out of the study with steady but firm steps. Maya followed, her pulse racing with each step along the Knight estate's corridors.
When they arrived into the huge foyer, her breath stopped.
Liam stood in the middle with his arms crossed, and his dark brown stare was riveted on her.
It was startling how identical they appeared. The identical deep-set eyes, the identical sharp features—as if she was staring at a reflection of a life she had no clue she was leading.
Maya paused before speaking. “You’re Liam Brooks?”
His lips curled slightly, but he did not smile. "And you're Maya."
Her stomach tense. "Funny, you sound like an expert on my life."
Liam's focus wandered briefly to Alexander before returning to her. “Because I do.”
Maya’s breath stalled. "That's not realistic."
Liam laughed faintly, unamused. "You do not recognize me, do you?"
Alexander took a step forward, right in front of Maya, giving her with shelter. "Say what you came here to say."
Liam gave him a brief glance before returning his gaze to Maya. “I came here for her, not you.”
Alexander’s expression didn’t change. "She is my wife." If you want to connect with her, you'll do it in front of me."
Maya could sense the tension between them sparking like an electric wire.
Liam shook his head. “You always were possessive, Knight.”
Maya scowled. "You're sounding like we've seen before."
Liam's jaw stiffened. "We have."
Maya's chest clenched. “No. That is not achievable. I was raised up in foster care. Alone.”
Liam’s eyes darkened. “Because they made sure you did.”
Silence propagated between them.
Maya gulped the stuffing in her throat. "Who?"
Liam breathed out. “The Knights.”
Alexander’s posture stiffened. “Be careful with your accusations.”
Liam ignored him. “Your mother didn’t just run from them, Maya. She was trying to save you. To save us.”
Maya’s pulse skidded. “Us?”
Liam nodded. “We were supposed to disappear together.”
Her legs felt weak. "No, I don't..." "I don't recollect."
Liam’s voice was softer now. “Because they erased it.”
Maya nodded as her thoughts raced. "That's crazy."
Liam took a little, fading photo from his jacket.
Maya hesitated before reaching for it.
Her entire world shifted the moment she saw it.
A fading photograph of a little girl and child sitting on the stairs of a house. She was smiling. The boy beside her—Liam—had his arm around her protectively.
Her vision blurred.
A memory flashed in her mind.
A small hand clutching hers. A voice whispering, "Stay close, Maya."
Her throat closed. “I—”
Liam’s voice cut through the fog. “They took you away, Maya. They took you, and they made sure you forgot.”
Maya felt as if she were sinking.
Alexander finally spoke, his tone measured, controlled. "Let’s base this on facts—do you have any to share?"
Liam's jaw twitched. “The proof is in the Knights’ past. And Victoria made damn sure to bury it.”
Maya’s head snapped toward Alexander. “Did you know?”
His expression was grim. “Not all of it.”
Maya’s heart pounded painfully. “But some?”
His silence was answer enough.
Her stomach twisted. "You still lied to me."
Alexander groaned and stroked his hair. "I was doing everything to defend you, Maya."
She let forth a gruff, bitter laugh. " You repeat the same thing, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’ve only used me."
Liam cut in. “He is not the only one. Victoria has been watching you for years. She let you live—until you got too close.”
Maya’s breath caught. “Too close to what?”
Liam’s expression turned grim. “The truth.”
A loud bang rang out across the home before she could continue to question him.
Maya flinched. “What was that?”
Alexander’s body tensed. “Gunfire.”
Liam reached down, his grip tightening around the weapon as he drew it from his belt.
" Sadly, time constraints prevent us from explaining further."
Maya's chest retracted. “Who—”
And then—footsteps. Rapid. Rushing toward them.
One of Alexander’s guards ran in, his face pale. “Sir—Victoria’s men are here. They’re after Maya.”
Maya's blood became chilly.
Alexander went quickly to seize her hand, his grip tight. “We need to go.”
Maya dug her heels in. “Go where?”
Liam’s voice was sharp. "Any other place but here."
Another round of gunfire boomed along the corridors, this time nearer.
Maya's body trembled.
Alexander turned to Liam. “We have a safe house. We’ll go there.”
Liam gave a short nod. “Then let’s move before we all end up dead.”
More shouting.
Maya's heart beat in her ears.
Alexander tightened his grip, pushing her closer. His voice was low but firm. “Stay with me.”
"Stay with me."
Maya gulped hard, feeling the weight of everything crushing into her.
Her history was no longer a secret.
It was a threat.
And it was coming for her.
- Writer
