Chapter 8 - The Velvet Trap
Maeve stared at the medical receipt in absolute disbelief.
The date stamped on the paperwork was exactly seven days old.
"You paid for this before I even came to this house," Maeve whispered, looking up at him.
Elias unbuttoned his suit jacket and poured two glasses of wine.
"Margaret Ashford was lying to you about paying for the surgery," Elias explained.
"I have been watching your family's estate very closely for a long time."
Maeve felt a strange mixture of relief and terrifying suspicion.
"Why would a mafia boss care about a sick child?" Maeve asked carefully.
Elias handed her a glass of wine and took a step closer.
"I care about loyalty, Maeve," Elias answered softly.
"I watched you work three jobs and suffer Margaret's abuse just to keep that boy alive."
He reached out and gently traced the line of her jaw.
"Sienna failed a test designed for her, but you passed a test designed for someone else."
Maeve's heart hammered violently against her ribs.
For the first time, she did not see a monster standing in front of her.
She saw a man who protected the people he claimed as his own.
Elias kissed her, and this time it was not a performance for an audience.
It was deep, possessive, and surprisingly tender.
They spent the night wrapped in each other's arms, hiding from the violent world outside.
The next morning, Maeve woke up alone in the massive bed.
She noticed a small wall safe left slightly open near the closet.
Curiosity overwhelmed her, and she pulled the heavy steel door open.
Inside the safe were dozens of surveillance photographs.
They were pictures of Maeve sweeping floors, walking to the hospital, and sitting on the bus.
The photos were dated six months ago.
Long before Elias was ever engaged to Sienna Ashford.
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The door to the bedroom suddenly clicked open, and Elias walked in holding a cup of coffee.
He froze when he saw Maeve holding the photographs of herself.
