h fear. She strained her ears, listening for any sound that might indicate what was

gged forward. She stumbled, her heels clicking on the marble

out, her voice shakin

d, until Sophia stumbled into a room filled with soft

ur-poster bed. Sophia's eyes widened as she took in the l

her captor. It was Max, his eyes gleaming with a mixt

" Max said, his voice low and smooth. "

narrowed. "S

rying to hurt me," he said. "You see, Sophia, I have many

ted that Max was involved in some shady deali

is?" Sophia asked, her voi

Because I want you to understand the danger that comes with being involved

had never been one to back down from a chall

n do this," Sophia sa

a glimmer of vulnerability. "I understand," he

away from Max and his secrets as possible. But another part of he

x took a step closer. His eyes burned with int

d, his breath hot against her ear. "

she nodded. "Okay," she said, h

and Sophia felt a shiver run down her spi

. They talked and laughed, sharing stories and secrets. Sophia felt like she was ge

d. Max's secrets were darker and more sinister than she had ever imagined. An

limousine, her mind reeling with questions and doubts. What

ticed a piece of paper on the seat beside he

house at midnight," the

at as she realized who must

to meet him in secret? And

ine pulled up to her apartment building. She got out,

felt a sense of relief wash over her.

hia realized that she was not alone. There

everything

standing in the corner of her apartment. The figure was shro

demanded, trying to

stead, it took a step closer,

he knew she had to get out of th

switch. Sophia blinked in the bright light, and when her

ong, curly brown hair. She was dressed in a sleek black jumpsui

ia asked, trying to

her voice low and husky. "And I'm h

narrowed. "Wha

llington is not what he seems," she said. "He's involved in some very shad

hat Max was involved in some questionable acti

Sophia asked, her voice

't be telling you this," she said. "But I think you have a ri

s impossible," she said. "Max would nev

said. "And if you don't believe me, just ask yourself

had to confront Max about this, but she was

va turned to leave. "Be careful, Sophia," she sa

o the night, leaving Sophia to gra

r apartment. She couldn't believe what Ava had told her. Max Wellin

, and he was a good man. He wouldn't

ad always been secretive about his business dealings. And there was someth

nd sometimes, when he looked at her, Sophi

she realized the truth. Max Wellingt

hia was in g

at the door. It was a soft, tentative knock, and Sophia k

was racing now.

and husky. "Sophia, it's me. Ava.

What could Ava possibl

aw Ava standing in the hallway,

Sophia asked,

o tell you that you're not the only one

widened. "What

's just say that Max has a lot of enemi

as racing now. W

question, Ava turned and disappeared into the nigh

s in grave danger. Max Wellington's secrets were more sinister th

as about to go back inside