Maya’s POV
The room felt frozen. Julian held the gun steady against the little girl’s head. Her small body pressed tighter into my side. I could smell the fear on her skin. Liam stood a few feet away, knife still in his hand, eyes dark with rage. Victoria’s brother wiped his hands and smirked like nothing had happened.
“One move, cousin,” Julian said again. “And the bloodline ends here.”
Liam’s jaw tightened. “Let her go, Julian. This is between us.”
I kept my arms around the girl. My legs still felt shaky from the couch. The air in the old river house smelled like dust and sweat. Sarah held the boy close, her eyes wide. Richard Cross watched everything with cold interest. Isabella tapped her foot, impatient.
“You always play the hero, Liam,” Julian replied. He pressed the gun harder.
