The Mafia’s First Love

The penthouse apartment had become their shelter. High above the city, it overlooked the glittering skyline, far enough from the noise and chaos below to make the world outside feel almost unreal. Almost. Maya stood by the floor to ceiling window, watching the rain slide down the glass. She had been staring outside for so long that she barely noticed when Dave walked up behind her. His arms slipped around her waist. She smiled. “You're quiet.” Maya leaned back against him. “So are you.” “I wasn't quiet until I found you standing here looking like you're about to solve the world's problems.” She laughed softly. “I'm serious, Dave.” “I know.” His voice was warm against her ear. Maya turned around in his arms. There was something about the way he looked at her that always made the rest of the world disappear for a moment. She reached up and touched his face. “Do you ever get tired of all this?” “All what?” She gestured vaguely toward the windows. “The power. Your family. The enemies. People always watching you.” Dave's expression changed. “Sometimes.” That answer surprised her. She studied him. “You never say that.” “Because there's nothing I can do about it.” Maya lowered her hand. “That doesn't mean you have to carry everything alone.” Dave looked at her for a moment before pulling her closer. “I have you.” The words were simple. But they made her heart ache. Maya rested her head against his chest. “I just wish things could be normal.” Dave smiled faintly. “Normal doesn't suit me.” “It could.” “You think so?” “I know so.” He laughed quietly. For a few minutes, neither of them said anything. The rain continued falling outside. Maya closed her eyes. She wanted to remember that moment. The quiet. The warmth of his arms. The feeling that, for once, nothing could reach them. She didn't know how badly she would need that memory later. The days that followed were anything but peaceful. The penthouse remained their safest place, but the tension surrounding Dave's family continued to grow. Calls came at odd hours. Meetings were moved. Men who normally came and went freely were suddenly being questioned. Dave never gave Maya every detail, but she noticed the changes. He was more careful. More watchful. And sometimes, when he thought she wasn't looking, she caught him staring at his phone with a troubled expression. On the third day, Maya finally asked. “What happened?” Dave looked up from his phone. “Nothing.” She gave him a look. “You're a terrible liar.” He almost smiled. “I'm not lying.” “You are.” Dave put his phone down. Maya waited. He sighed. “Someone inside the organization has been leaking information.” Her smile disappeared. “Someone inside?” “Yes.” “Do you know who?” “No.” That answer bothered her. “Then how do you know?” “Because information that should never leave certain rooms keeps reaching people outside.” Maya's stomach tightened. “So someone close to you is helping your enemies?” “Possibly.” “You don't trust anyone?” Dave looked directly at her. “I trust you.” The answer came without hesitation. Maya's expression softened. “Then who?” “If I knew, we wouldn't have a problem.” He picked up his phone again. “There is a meeting tonight.” “Where?” “A warehouse.” Maya frowned. “A warehouse?” “It's one of our locations.” “Are you going alone?” “Yes.” “No.” Dave looked at her. “Maya.” “You just told me someone inside your organization is leaking information. You're going to a warehouse, and you want to go alone?” “I'll handle it.” “And if it's a trap?” “It won't be.” “You don't know that.” He stared at her. She stared back. Neither moved. Finally, Dave exhaled. “You want to come with me?” “Yes.” “You shouldn't.” “I know.” “But you're still coming.” “Yes.” A reluctant smile touched his lips. “You're impossible.” “You knew that when you fell in love with me.” “That I did.” He reached for his keys. Maya glanced toward the door. “Who's driving?” “I am.” She frowned. “Where's Andrew?” “Staying behind.” “Why?” Dave slipped the keys into his pocket. “Because I don't want anyone knowing where we're going.” Maya understood immediately. If someone inside the organization was leaking information, the fewer people who knew about their movements, the better. The drive was quieter than usual. Dave kept his eyes on the road. Maya sat beside him, watching the city slowly disappear behind them. She looked at him. “You're worried.” “I'm thinking.” “About the leak?” “Yes.” “Do you have any idea where it's coming from?” “No.” His answer was calm, but she could hear the tension underneath it. Maya looked through the windshield. The streets were becoming emptier. The familiar lights of the city were fading into long stretches of darkness. She reached across the space between them and placed her hand over his. Dave glanced down at their hands. Then at her. “You're nervous.” “A little.” “Don't be.” “Easy for you to say.” He squeezed her hand. “I won't let anything happen to you.” Maya smiled faintly. “You always say that.” “And I always mean it.” She looked at him. For a moment, she believed him. Then Dave's eyes moved to the rear-view mirror. Maya noticed. “Someone following us?” “No.” “You checked twice.” “I'm being careful.” She didn't question him again. The road ahead stretched into darkness. Neither of them knew that they were already driving toward the night that would change everything. The warehouse came into view. Maya looked at it through the windshield. “That's the place?” “Yes.” Dave slowed down. The building looked deserted. There were no workers outside. No cars. No movement. Maya's uneasiness returned. “Is anyone supposed to be here?” “Yes.” “Then why is it so quiet?” Dave didn't answer. He parked the car. For a moment, they remained inside the car. Dave looked at the warehouse. Something about it bothered him. Maya noticed. “What?” “Nothing.” “Dave.” He turned toward her. “Stay close to me.” She nodded. They stepped out of the car. The night air was cold. Maya followed Dave toward the warehouse. He walked ahead of her, his eyes moving over the dark surroundings. The doors were open. He stopped. Maya nearly walked into him. “What is it?” Dave stared into the darkness. “They should have been waiting.” “Maybe they're inside.” “Maybe.” He reached for his gun. Maya's heart began beating faster. They stepped inside. The warehouse was dark and still. Their footsteps echoed across the concrete floor. Maya instinctively moved closer to Dave. “Dave…” “I know.” “What?” He looked around. “Something's wrong.” Before Maya could respond, the warehouse doors slammed shut behind them. She jumped. Men stepped out of the shadows. One. Two. Five. More. Weapons were pointed at them. Maya's breath caught. Dave immediately moved in front of her. “Stay behind me.” A voice cut through the darkness. “Hands where we can see them!” Dave slowly raised his hands. Maya did the same. But the moment they moved, the men rushed them. Dave fought. Hard. “Maya!” Someone grabbed her. “Dave!” He turned. “Don't touch her!” Another man struck him. Dave stumbled but recovered quickly, fighting back with everything he had. There were too many. Maya was dragged backward. Cold metal closed around her wrists. She looked toward Dave. His hands were restrained too. “Maya!” “I'm okay!” Their eyes met across the room. For a moment, the chaos around them disappeared. Dave's breathing was heavy. Maya's heart was pounding. He looked at her as though she was the only thing he could see. “Are you hurt?” She shook her head. “No.” He nodded. Then leaned as close to her as the men holding him allowed. “Maya.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I love you.” She swallowed. “I love you too.” Dave held her gaze. “Whatever happens…” He paused. “I'll always come back for you.” Maya stared at him. “I mean it.” She nodded. Then footsteps approached. A man stopped beside Maya. She looked up. He reached for her handcuffs. Click. The metal fell away. Maya stared at her freed wrists. Dave stared too. His face changed. “Maya?” She slowly stood. Dave looked at the men around him. Then back at her, the questions kept running in his mind. “Why did they let her go?, were they playing games with him?” “Maya.” He said finally She looked at him. He searched her face. “What is happening?” Still nothing. Dave pulled against the men holding him. “Maya, please say something.” She didn't move. His voice sharpened. “Maya.” She turned away from him. Dave's expression hardened. “Look at me.” She stopped. Slowly, she turned. Their eyes met. Dave stared at her. There was confusion in his eyes now. Confusion and something close to fear. “Maya…” She didn't answer. A man stepped toward Dave. Maya looked at him. Then at Dave. Her lips parted. “Take him away.” Dave froze. For a second, nobody moved. Then… “Maya?” She remained silent. The men grabbed Dave. He fought against them. “No!” He looked at her. “Maya!” She didn't move. “Why are you doing this?” Nothing. Dave was dragged toward the warehouse doors. He kept looking back at her. “Maya!” She stood there. Still. Silent. The doors opened. Dave disappeared through them. His eyes remained on her until the very last moment. Then the doors slammed shut. And for the first time in their relationship, Dave Garun had no idea what Maya was thinking. All he knew was what he had just seen. She had been released. And she had ordered them to take him away. But why? That was the question that would haunt him for years to come.