That was the thing, wasn’t it? Maya still wore her past like a second skin. And sooner or later, her decision to take back the necklace was bound to catch up with her.
“So if I wind up tangled with the cops or a couple of hitmen, don’t be too alarmed,” I said.
Logan levelled me with a look. “How long have you known her, Noah?”
Not long enough, not by any standard. But near-death changed people. It stripped everything down to what really mattered.
When I’d promised I’d do anything,anything, to never see Maya pale and afraid like she was after nearly dying on that cliff, it hadn’t been some throwaway vow. Not a casual,I’ll be there. Not one of those easy forevers people tossed out in a movie dialogue.
It had been real.
With Maya, there were no second chances. Once she was gone, that was it. And I wasn’t about to let it come to that.
Log didn’t wait for my answer. “You willing to stand in the fire for her?”
The words left me without hesitation. “I am.”
He nodded, as if he’d already seen it coming. “Then stack the odds. Find backup that knows how to handle trouble before it starts.”
“You suggesting we bring mercenaries into our circle?”
He shot me a look.
Right. That wasn’t what he meant.
I corrected myself. “Elia and Claire are behind us a hundred percent.”
“The worst thing in a crisis is having your own family turn against you. But Elia and Claire?” He shrugged. “That’s a given. I’m talking about theright kindof backup.” His tone shifted, making the distinction clear.
Logan Pierce, never one to boast, but every now and then, his brilliance landed like a well-aimed punch.
He meant expertise. Strategy. Someone who could turn an enemy’s weakness into their downfall.
Dominic Powell.
My buddy from back in the corporate world. But his expertise stretched far beyond boardrooms and contracts.Criminal cases, government tangles, underground deals…he’d seen it all. And if worse came to worst, he’d defend Maya.
Because Dom Powell never lost.
I let out a breath and smirked. “You’re a good friend, Log.”
“Hell, we’re more than that,” he countered. “You need my help?”
“Yeah. Please stay out of it. I’d rather not make you an accessory after the fact.”
His laugh came quieter this time, but I caught the sharp glint in his eyes. Then he paused, measuring me with a look that saw too much. “How’s El?”
“He’s good.” The words sat heavy in my mouth. “And I’ll make his wishes come true. You know, the Lucases, whole again.”
He put a hand on my shoulder. “That’s a start. But I’m telling you, Noah boy. Ain’t no such thing as fixing a broken bone back to the way it was,” he said. “But sometimes, if you set it right, it gets stronger where it cracked.”
26
MAYA
Just like that, summer was behind us. Days folded into weeks, and life carried on without incident.
I still kept an eye on Annamaria’s socials, though. They stayed on-brand. All narcissism, all noise. Gushing about wedding plans. Gowns, accessories, and filters galore. But nothing about the necklace.
