Chapter 9 You forgot something

Maya's POV

“He’s going to find me.”

The thought came as I rested my head against the back of the taxi seat. I had been trying not to think about it since I left the grocery store, but now that I was sitting still, it kept coming back.

He found me once, he could do it again?

My stomach tightened.

And what if he also gets Luna this time?

I sat up, suddenly unable to get comfortable. Or maybe I was overthinking this. No, I wasn't.

First, I stole from him. Then I lied to his guards, knocked out his housekeeper and walked out wearing someone else's uniform.

There was no way Xavier Lockwood was going to shrug and forget about it.

“Maya, you're in trouble,” I muttered under my breath.

The driver glanced at me through the mirror.

I lowered my voice. “Big trouble.”

“What am I going to do?” I rubbed my temples, looking out the window. My mind was running through everything that could happen if Xavier found me.

He had money, men and connections…I had none of that. I only had myself and Luna.

“I have to leave town.” The thought flashed in my mind.

“I don't know, maybe that's too extreme.” I argued internally.

“Maya, the guy is a fucking mafia. I think you're really looking down on him. Have you forgotten they kill people.”

I need to get out of here, this wasn't only about me anymore. Luna's life is also in danger. If Xavier decided to use Luna to get to me, I had put her right in the middle of this.

I closed my eyes. “Stupid, Maya…so stupid.” I whispered. “You just had to steal from a dangerous person.” I smacked my forehead.

The driver glanced at me again. “Ma'am, are you all right?”

I caught his eyes in the mirror and forced a small smile. “Yeah, sorry. I'm fine.”

He nodded, turning his attention back to the road.

I looked down at my hands. There had to be a way out, leaving town wasn't impossible. I just needed somewhere far enough away that Xavier couldn't reach us easily.

A train….

The thought settled in my mind.

I looked toward the driver. “Could you take me to the nearest train station?”

“Sure,” he said. “There's one about ten minutes from here.”

“Perfect.” I leaned back, finally allowing myself to breathe.

A few minutes later, the taxi pulled up outside Central Station.

“Thanks,” I said, handing the driver his fare before stepping onto the pavement.

He nodded and drove away.

I stood there for a moment, watching the taxi disappear into traffic.

I still didn't know where I was going, I only knew I needed to get far enough away from Xavier that finding me wouldn't be easy or he wouldn't bother trying to.

I pulled out my phone, dialing her number.

“Hey, sis. What's up?” She answered immediately.

“Luna, listen to me, okay?” I said, walking toward the station entrance. “I need you to pack your things, everything important. We're leaving New York tonight.”

“What? Why? Where are we going?”

“I'll explain when I get there.”

She sighed. “Maya, you're scaring me. What happened?”

“Nothing you need to worry about right now. Just pack, please. Your clothes, documents, anything you can't leave behind. Don't forget anything important.”

“But you said you were coming back in two days.”

“I know.” I swallowed, glancing over my shoulder. “I'll tell you everything when I see you….Just trust me.”

She was quiet for a few seconds.

“Okay,” she finally said. “I'll pack.”

“Good….Keep your phone with you and don't go anywhere. I'll call you when I'm close.”

“Okay.”

I ended the call and slipped my phone into my pocket.

The station was busy, people moved around me with bags in their hands, heading toward different platforms and checking schedules.

I reached the ticket counter, looking up at the departure board.

Boston…nope, Las Vegas….naaa, Chicago.

My eyes stopped there. “Chicago.”

It was far enough, big enough and I knew absolutely nobody there. That would have to do.

“Good evening,” the clerk said. “How can I help you?”

I stepped forward. “Two tickets to Chicago, please.”

She turned to her computer. “Which departure?”

I looked at the board again. The earlier train left at 9:40. The next was 11:15.

I checked the time. “9:40.”

She nodded and began entering the details. “Two passengers?”

“Yes.”

She looked up. “You'll need to fill these out before payment.” She slid two forms across the counter.

I took them, my fingers tightening around the papers.

9:40…That gave me a little time to get Luna and come back.

------

I shut the door behind me, turning the lock.

“I’m back.”

I frowned, noticing how quiet the apartment was. “Luna?” I called out.

The living room was completely dark. I reached for the switch beside the door and flicked it on. “Luna, I’m….” A scream caught in my throat.

I stumbled backward, nearly losing my balance.

Xavier sat on the couch, one ankle rested over his knee, his jacket folded neatly beside him as if he'd been sitting there for hours. He looked completely at ease.

My stomach dropped. “X..Xavier.”

His eyes met mine, a slow smile touching his mouth. “You really should start locking your door, kitten.”

I was frozen at that spot. “How did you…” My voice failed me. I swallowed and forced myself to look around the room.

He reached beside him, picking something up.

My gaze moved from him to the shoe box in his hands….Luna's shoes, the same pair I'd bought for her before all of this started.

He turned one over in his hand, examining it casually. “You forgot something.”

I stared at the shoes, then back at him. “How did you get here?” I asked, my voice shaking despite my effort to keep it steady. “You were supposed to be gone for three days.”

He shrugged. “I changed my plans.”

My eyes searched the room again….No sign of Luna.

My heart began pounding harder. “Where is my sister?”