Love In His Arrogance

★The Woman In The Phototgraph

Christiana couldn't move at all. The photo was shaking in her fingers. Her mom. Young. Pretty. Smiling. Standing next to Mavin's dad like they had been friends forever. But that wasn't the part that scared her the most. It was the words written under the picture. SHE NEVER LEFT THE CROWN.

That's impossible, Christiana whispered.

Mavin stood next to her, staring at the photo. Seven had come back from the hallway and was watching them closely. What does it mean? Gem asked.

Christiana shook her head. It can't be true.

Mavin took the photo from her. Do you recognize the place?

She looked closer. Behind her mom was a big stone building with trees all around. I don't know.

Mavin studied it. Seven?

Seven stepped closer. Give me a second.

He took a picture of the photo with his phone and started searching through files. Christiana looked at Mavin. You knew my mom.

No.

You knew of her.

Yes.

How?

My dad mentioned her.

Why?

He never explained.

Christiana got really frustrated. Everyone seems to know something about my family except me.

Mavin looked at her. Your dad was trying to keep you out of this.

And he failed.

Yes.

That honest answer made her stop talking.

Seven suddenly spoke. I know this building.

Mavin turned. Where?

Outside the city.

He made the photo bigger on the screen. An old estate in Westchester. It used to belong to the Harrow family.

Mavin's face changed. The Harrows?

Seven nodded. They disappeared twenty years ago.

Christiana frowned. Who are the Harrows?

Mavin looked at her. One of the founding families of The Crown.

A chill went through her. So my mom was there?

According to the photo.

And your dad?

Apparently.

Christiana looked down. There were suddenly too many questions. Why had her mom been there? Why had Mavin's dad been there? Why had her dad hidden everything? And most importantly, why was someone trying to make her believe her mom was still connected to The Crown?

Seven's phone buzzed. He answered. Yes?

He listened. Then his eyes moved to Mavin. Understood.

He ended the call. What?

Police are arriving.

Mavin nodded. Good.

Seven looked at Christiana. The security guard woke up.

What did he say?

He said he saw someone.

Christiana stepped closer. Who?

Seven hesitated. He described a woman.

Her heart stopped. A woman?

Yes.

What did she look like?

Dark hair. Tall. Black coat.

Christiana's mouth got dry. Her mom had worn her hair long and dark. But that didn't really mean anything. Her mom had been dead for eleven years. Did he see her face?

No.

Then it could be anyone.

Exactly, Seven said.

Mavin watched Christiana carefully. She could tell he was thinking the same thing she was. Someone wanted her to believe her mom was alive. Or someone wanted her to believe she hadn't really died. Neither one made sense.

They went back to Mavin's penthouse right before sunrise. Christiana sat by the window, looking at Manhattan. The storm had stopped. The city was starting to wake up. Gem sat next to her. You haven't slept.

Neither have you.

I'm worried about you.

Christiana looked down. I don't know my own family anymore.

Gem reached for her hand. You know me.

Christiana smiled a little. You're the only thing that feels normal.

Across the room, Mavin was talking quietly with Seven. She couldn't hear everything. Just pieces. Too close. Harrow estate. Brooks.

Christiana looked up. Why did you mention Brooks?

Mavin stopped talking. Seven glanced at him. Mavin turned toward her. Go to bed.

She stood up. Answer me.

Brooks has connections to the Harrows.

How convenient.

Mavin's face got hard. Don't jump to conclusions.

I'm not. I'm asking questions.

And I'm telling you we're investigating.

Christiana crossed her arms. That's what everyone keeps saying.

Mavin walked toward her. You want answers?

Yes.

Then stop trying to solve everything in one night.

Easy for you to say.

You've known about this world for a few hours.

And you?

My entire life.

Christiana looked into his eyes. Then teach me.

Mavin was quiet. Seven looked away. Gem raised an eyebrow.

Finally, Mavin said, The Crown isn't a normal organization.

I figured.

They don't work like a regular Mafia family. They're a network.

Of criminals?

Businessmen. Politicians. Lawyers. Security people. People with power.

Christiana thought about that. So they hide behind real businesses.

Exactly.

And my dad got involved?

Apparently.

Why?

We still don't know.

She looked at the photo. My mom may know.

Mavin nodded. Maybe.

Christiana's eyes narrowed. You don't believe she's dead.

I didn't say that.

But you don't.

Mavin didn't answer. That was answer enough.

Later that morning, Christiana woke up from a bad sleep. For a few seconds, she didn't remember where she was. Then everything came back. The photo. The Crown. Mavin.

She sat up. A note was on the bedside table. Breakfast. Downstairs. —M

She stared at it. Bossy, she muttered. But she smiled anyway.

When she walked into the kitchen, Mavin was already there. He stood by the counter in a dark shirt with his sleeves rolled up. He looked less like the scary heir of a Mafia family and more like a normal guy. Almost.

Christiana sat at the island. Did you cook?

No.

Good.

He looked at her. Why?

Because I'd rather survive breakfast.

Mavin gave her a look. You have a lot to say.

Someone has to.

He put a plate in front of her. She looked at it. What's this?

Food.

I can see that.

Then eat.

Christiana smiled. You're terrible at being a host.

And yet you're still here.

She picked up a fork. Only because people keep trying to kill me.

That's a reasonable excuse.

For a moment, things felt weirdly normal. Then Mavin's phone rang. He answered. His face changed. Where?

Christiana immediately stopped eating. Mavin listened. Don't let him leave.

He ended the call. What happened?

Brooks is at my office.

Why?

He says he wants to talk to you.

Christiana frowned. Me?

Yes.

Why?

Mavin's eyes got hard. I don't know.

Then I want to hear him.

No.

She dropped the fork. Mavin.

Absolutely not.

You said I have a choice.

You do.

Then I'm choosing to talk to him.

Mavin stared at her. You don't know Brooks.

Neither did I know you yesterday.

And look how well that's going.

Christiana smiled. Exactly.

An hour later, Brooks sat across from them in Mavin's private office. He was fancy. Calm. Dressed perfectly. Unlike Mavin's cold intensity, Brooks acted smooth and confident. He smiled at Christiana. I've wanted to meet you for a long time.

Christiana frowned. Why?

Your dad spoke highly of you.

Her face changed. You knew my dad?

Very well.

Mavin leaned back. Get to the point.

Brooks looked at him. Still impatient, Mavin.

Still avoiding the question, Brooks.

Brooks smiled. Some things never change.

Christiana looked between them. How did you know my dad?

Brooks turned to her. We worked together.

On what?

Brooks hesitated. Several projects.

That's vague.

Because the truth is complicated.

Mavin's voice was cold. Tell her.

Brooks looked at him. You really want me to?

Yes.

Brooks sighed. Your dad discovered something about The Crown.

Christiana's heart started pounding. He found their money network.

Yes.

That's the ledger?

Brooks nodded. But your dad didn't steal it.

Mavin leaned forward. What?

Brooks looked right at him. He was given it.

Silence.

Christiana felt confused. Given it by who?

Brooks' face changed. Your mom.

The room went totally still. Christiana's fingers tightened on the chair. My mom?

Brooks nodded. She was trying to escape.

Mavin's eyes narrowed. Why didn't your dad tell me?

Because he promised her he wouldn't.

Christiana stared at Brooks. Is she alive?

Brooks didn't answer. Answer me!

He looked at her. I don't know.

Mavin stood up. You're lying.

Brooks stayed seated. I've never lied to you.

You've done worse.

Brooks smiled a little. Perhaps.

Christiana stood up. Where is my mom?

Brooks looked at her for a long moment. Then he said quietly, If you want to know, go to the Harrow estate.

Mavin immediately shook his head. No.

Brooks looked at him. Afraid?

No.

Then why stop her?

Because you're sending her into a trap.

Brooks stood up. Maybe.

Mavin's face got dark. Brooks turned toward Christiana. But if you really want the truth about your mom, the estate is where you'll find it.

He walked toward the door. Before leaving, he looked back. Oh, and Christiana?

She stared at him.

Don't trust anyone who tells you your mom is dead.

The door closed. Silence filled the office.

Christiana turned to Mavin. We're going.

No.

You heard him.

I heard a man trying to trick you.

What if he's telling the truth?

Then we'll check it.

How?

Mavin's gaze got hard. Seven.

Seven came in. Yes?

Prepare the cars.

Christiana looked surprised. Mavin continued. We're going to the Harrow estate.

She smiled. I thought you said no.

I changed my mind.

Why?

Mavin walked past her. Because if there's a trap waiting for you, I'd rather be the one standing next to you when it closes.

Christiana watched him leave. For some reason, those words stuck with her. Not because they made her feel safe. But because she was starting to realize something scary. The more time she spent around Mavin, the harder it got to just see the arrogant Mafia heir everyone was afraid of. And that scared her way more than the mysterious Crown. Because enemies are easy to understand. Feelings are not.