(Maddox’s POV)
I really don’t know where to start, Maya. There’s so much to all this… I don’t even know where to begin. But let’s see how it goes.
I pulled out a stool.
“Have a seat.”
She nodded and sat.
“So… I was in the military for ten years, right after military. When I was done, I was broke. I mean broke Maya , like I reeked of poverty. All I wanted was financial freedom. I didn’t know what to do… until my very good friend, someone I considered a brother, my homeboy, literally, stepped in.” I gave a small, sad smile.
“I told him everything, and he introduced me to a politician. But this politician… he made me promise to keep it all secret. If a word ever leaked, he swore he’d take my life. I had no choice, Maya. I was desperate. I was broke. That’s why I did it. That’s how I became an instant billionaire.”
I leaned forward. “The s*x toys? I’m using them as a cover. Because I feel like my real cover is slipping. People keep wondering how I’m this rich when I don’t own a company, don’t clock into work. So you get it now, Maya.”
I held her gaze.
“I promise you, I don’t use drugs. I’m completely normal. Trust me, I’d never harm you, Maya. I swear. Once I figure things out, I’ll stop all of this. But right now… my life is literally in danger. And I can feel it, my past is coming back for me. It’s close.”
“What past?” Maya asked softly.
“You’ll find out soon,” I muttered.
“No, no… you have to tell me now.”
Before I could answer, a sharp beeping cut through the air.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Maya froze. “What’s that sound?”
My chest tightened. “Oh no… oh no.”
“What? What is it, Maddox?”
“They’re coming. Again.”
“Who’s coming?” she demanded, her voice trembling.
“Them, Maya. We need to move. We have ten minutes.”
Her eyes widened. “What’s happening ?”
“Maya, I don’t have time to explain. When this is over, I’ll tell you everything. But right now, I need your help.” My voice cracked as I rushed to the table. “These drugs—we need to hide them. Dispose of them. Anything. They’re close. We’ve got nine minutes left. Let’s start now.”
“What do I do?” she asked, panicked.
“Lie on the bench,” I said quickly.
“But why?”
“Just… please, Maya. Do it.”
She hesitated, then lay down.
I grabbed the bags of drugs. My eyes flicked to her, then froze. “s**t… you’re on your period.”
Her face flushed. “Maddox—what are you doing?”
“Maya, please. Endure this. You might feel uncomfortable, but I need to hide the drugs in your—” I swallowed hard. “In your asshole.”
Her eyes widened in horror. “What the hell? Why would you do that to me?”
I stepped closer, my voice desperate. “Maya, please. I’m begging you.”
She stared at me for a long second, then reluctantly nodded. I worked fast, slipping the bottles inside her.
I scrambled next, pushing the rest into the ceiling compartment. My hands were shaking. We shoved s*x toys into the drawer, set everything up, tried to make the room look normal again.
And then—BAM.
A knock rattled the door.
We were just about to head downstairs when—bam!—that box. My heart dropped.
“Maya, please… do something about that box. I’ll get the door.”
I ran downstairs.
I forced a steady breath and opened it.
“Yo, hello, Mr. Maddox.” A man stood there, flanked by a small crew. His expression was cold. “Your house needs to undergo a round two of investigation. We spoke with the architect who designed this building, and according to the blueprints—” he pulled out a folded paper and pointed—“there’s a secret room. Right there.”
My throat went dry. I swallowed hard.
I could only think of Maya, of the box. Had she managed to hide it? The damn thing was huge, where could she have put it?
“Yes… yes, sure,” I forced out. “You can come in and check.”
The crew burst into my house, their boots thudding against the floor like gunshots.
The lead investigator barked an order, sending them off into the suspected areas. Two headed upstairs. Two went to the kitchen. The rest fanned out, combing through the house like vultures circling a carcass.
My eyes snapped to Maya. She was frozen halfway down the stairs, trembling so hard I thought her knees might give out. She looked terrified.
I moved toward her, keeping my voice low, lips barely moving.
“Where’s the box?”
Her lashes lifted. For a moment, I thought she might break down. But then she gave the smallest tilt of her chin toward the wall. Her whisper was almost soundless.
“Inside there. Hollow cavity. I covered it.”
Relief hit me so hard my knees almost buckled.
“How did you—” My voice caught. I forced it lower. “You actually found a way. Maya, I’m proud of you.”
But there was no time to dwell on it—the stomping boots upstairs reminded me we were seconds away from exposure.
A drawer slammed open above us. One of the men let out a sharp laugh.
“Boss, you need to see this. This guy’s hiding a damn s*x shop in here.”
Heat crept up my neck. Perfect. Exactly what I wanted them to think.
Then—clink.
A glass bottle rolled across the floorboards, stopping at the lead investigator’s boots. My blood went cold as he bent to pick it up. He turned it in his hand, and the red poison insignia flashed under the light.
Shit.
“That doesn’t look like a toy to me,” he said, voice flat.
I forced a crooked grin, stepping forward.
“Relax. Imported lube. Some brands think edgy labels sell. You can smell it if you want.”
His eyes narrowed. He twisted the cap. A sharp, chemical stench filled the room. He gagged and tossed the bottle back at me like it was trash.
“Jesus Christ.”
I caught it with a shaky hand, forcing another smirk.
“Told you.”
But before relief could settle, another investigator knocked his knuckles against the very wall Maya had pointed to. The sound echoed—hollow. My heart stopped.
All I could see was Maya’s bloodied fingers brushing that seam shut. All I could hear was my own pulse, pounding like war drums in my ears.
The man tilted his head, then scoffed.
“Cheap construction. Cardboard walls. You’re getting robbed, Mr. Maddox.”
The others chuckled, moving on.
I exhaled hard, like I’d just come up for air after drowning. My gaze shot back to Maya. She was pale, trembling, but steady.
And for the first time in years, something unfamiliar twisted in my chest.
Not fear. Not even relief.
Faith.
Because somehow, she had saved us. That couldn’t be coincidence. No way. It was a sign.
From this day forward, I swear one thing.
I’ll make her mine.
The investigators said, “Well, looks like your apartment is clean. We’ll be taking our leave now. And hey—go easy on women, yeah? You really wanna drill their ass with all that equipment up there? Be easy, bro.”
And with a click, the door closed.