SECURED

MYSTERIOUS LADY.

• DAVID •

It’s been a week since I got here to America, and already things feel out of balance. I can’t stop thinking about Ciya, but I know I left her in good hands. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. Peter, on the other hand, has a different opinion entirely.

"David, you should’ve brought Ciya with you," he said, his tone cold and accusatory.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "I couldn't, Peter. She’s with her brothers, and they’re doing their best to care for her."

But Peter wasn't satisfied. "Those mafia brothers? You really think they’re trustworthy? They left her on the street once, David! How could you let her stay with them?"

“Ciya was kidnapped, Peter,” I countered, trying to get him to see reason. “I thought it was safer for her to stay with family.”

“I just don’t get it,” Peter continued, shaking his head again. “How can you be so sure? We barely know them. The last thing I want is for Ciya to get hurt again.”

I swallowed, knowing this conversation wouldn’t end easily. “I didn’t trust them at first either, you know? I watched them, closely. I was ready to pull her out of there the moment something didn’t feel right. But Peter, I’ve seen the way Ray looks at her. The way Kirril hovers like he’d tear the world apart to keep her safe. Ivian and Roman—they’re always making sure she’s okay, even if they don’t say much. She’s not just someone they protect out of duty. She’s their sister, and they’re trying to make up for lost time.”

Peter sat down heavily, rubbing his temples. “But they let her down before. What if it happens again? What if she gets caught in their world? It’s dangerous, David. You’ve seen what that life can do.”

I sat beside him, feeling the heaviness of his worry. “I know it’s dangerous. But I also know that this is what Ciya needs right now. She needs to know she has family, people who are her blood, who want her in their lives. And they’re not pulling her into that world. They’re protecting her from it, Peter. Every step they take is about keeping her safe. They are protective!”

"Protective? Or possessive?" Peter's voice was sharp, filled with anger. "Ciya is my niece too. I have a right to be concerned."

“You’re the one who told me not to bring her here!” I shot back, frustration boiling over. I could hear the silence on the other end, the tension thickening.

“Yes, I said that because she was with you! But I didn’t mean to leave her behind with those dangerous brothers!” His voice rose, anger palpable.

Before I could respond, one of our men walked into my office, cutting the argument short. I sighed, grateful for the distraction but frustrated that the conversation lingered in the air like a storm cloud. I needed to find a way to bridge this gap with Peter, for Ciya’s sake, but every attempt felt like it only widened it.

"Sir," he began, glancing between me and Peter, "there’s a lady outside. She says she wants to meet you."

I raised an eyebrow. "And? You told her I wasn’t here, right?"

"We did, but she didn’t care. She’s been insistent, sir. Said she won’t leave until she talks to you."

I made brief eye contact with Peter, who immediately looked just as confused as I felt. Who could this be?

“Did she give a name?” I asked, trying to figure out if this was someone we had expected.

The man shook his head. “No name. But she’s been tough about it. Seems... desperate, maybe?”