Chương 2 - The Black SUVs
Maya barely slept a wink that night.
The armed guard had escorted her home in absolute silence, standing outside her apartment door until sunrise.
She spent the morning pacing her tiny living room in the stunning navy silk dress.
She expected Mason to pick her up in a luxury sedan, maybe a discreet town car.
At exactly 1:59 p.m., the sound of heavy engines rattled her apartment windows.
Maya looked down from her second-floor balcony.
Three massive, military-grade black SUVs had completely blocked her street.
Four men wearing dark sunglasses and earpieces stepped out, securing the perimeter of her building.
The back door of the center vehicle opened.
Mason stepped out onto the pavement.
He looked less like a wealthy investor and more like a king inspecting his conquered territory.
Maya grabbed her purse, ran downstairs, and marched right up to him.
"You brought an entire tactical team to my cousin's wedding?" she hissed.
"I brought a standard security detail," Mason corrected smoothly, opening the door for her.
Maya climbed into the luxurious leather interior, her heart pounding frantically.
"My family is going to think I'm dating a cartel boss."
Mason slid in next to her, the heavy armored door closing with a solid thud.
"Your family will think you are dating a man who protects what is his."
The convoy began moving smoothly through the city streets.
"And besides," Mason added, pouring two glasses of sparkling water from a hidden console.
"I needed to ensure your fake ex-boyfriend didn't change his mind and show up."
Maya froze, the crystal glass stopping halfway to her mouth.
"What do you mean?"
Mason looked at her with terrifying calm.
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"Daniel didn't cancel because he had a sudden work emergency, Maya."
"He canceled because I had a polite conversation with him at three o'clock this morning."
