Maya's povHolden pulls me aside, his grip on my arm tight. “What is going on?” He asks, his eyebrows furrowed.“What do you mean?” I ask feigning confusion.His jaw tightens. “Don't play with me, I know my brother is sick.”My breath hitches. “How do you know that?”He cuts me off his gaze sharp. “One from the fact that he was bleeding from his eye and the other that you blabbed it out when you were in my room.”“I did what?”Shit ! The night Cassian slept with Roxanne.“Holden, I can't tell you what's going on,” I mumble, touching his shoulders.“Why not?” He asks, his voice strained between anger and desperation.“Is this why you are here?” He asks, looking around. “ To treat him?”I let out a breath. “Holden stop, I can't tell you.”“Why not?”“Because I signed an NDA.”His eyes widen as he steps back. “Maya.”“Holden, please,” I mumble. “Not right now.”I shut the door before he can respond. My legs give out and I sink in the bed. This cannot be happening.I grab a book going thr
Maya's povI finish sterilizing the surgical area and arranging the tools. After some hours of preparation and long tutorials on how to do it, I finally felt confident enough to go and ask him if I could poke into his eye with a giant needle.I trudge to his office thinking of ways to convince him when I very well know this shouldn't even be this difficult.A strong scented perfume lingers around his office and just when I'm about to knock the door swings open.Roxanne steps out with a wide grin on her face. She looks at me skeptically, pulling her bag to her elbow. “Evening Maya,” she says brushing past me.Cassian appears behind her and I freeze. She is back. “What do you want?” Cassian asks, looking to where Roxanne just walked past.“To do a Biopsy.”“Can it wait?”“Can your blindness wait?”He rolls his eyes. “Let's go.”“Have you eaten anything?” I ask as I scrub myself.“Not since last night.”I put on my mask standing next to him.“What is a Biopsy?”“It's a test to determine
Cassian's pov“Sir ma'am Maya is not cooperating,” Dimitri complains, his face set in a frown.“She won't let me teach or let me anywhere near her,” he adds. I place my leg over the other slumping on the chair.“So you have come to tell me you're failing at your job,” I mumble. He remains stoic but I see the slight twitch in his jaw.“No sir, I just came —”I cut him off. “I don't care what you do or how you do it. Not a single hair on her head should be touched.”His lips form a thin line. ”But she won't.”“I don't care, like right now she is at the hospital and you're here,” I mumble checking my watch. The red dot has been there for three hours.“That only shows me how incompetent you are, leave my office before I do something I will regret.”He runs out and I hope he is going to the hospital because if anything happens to Maya I will slaughter him alive. Someone knocks on the door and I groan.“Who is it?” I ask.“It's Leo sir, may I come in.”“Yes.”He steps in, his silhouette sha
Maya's pov“What's wrong with you, this is good news?” I ask, he barely meets my eyes as he speaks.“Nothing, I just need to be alone for now,” he says, his voice barely audible.“Okay.” I take the papers leaving his room. Holden leans outside his door, his hands in his pocket. I swallow the lump in my throat, the guilt of slamming the door on him the other day resurfacing.“Uh, hi,” I mumble.He forces a smile. “Hey.”“Uhm I'm going back to the hospital.”He nods getting inside the room. I place the papers in my room running down the stairs.“Maya, where are you going?” Dimitri asks as I put on my jacket.“To the hospital.”He looks at his watch. “At this hour?”I stop narrowing my eyes at him. “Yeah, do you have a problem?”He sighs, picking up the car keys. “No.”I walk in front of him taking a seat at the back. The hum of the engine fills the silence, low and steady but my mind is still hung up on Cassian's behavior.Was he not pleased by the news? Dimitri clutches the steering w
Cassian's pov“What's this I'm hearing about seducing Don Meyos daughter?” Holden asks a bored look on his face.I compose myself, but the nagging feeling of Maya leaving won't stop gnawing at me. I knew she wasn't going to stay forever so why am I feeling like I'm losing something more?“They appointed Roxanne as the new board member instead of her.”He nods. “And this concerns me how?”“We need to know why.”“I thought you liked her,” he says, raising a brow at me. “Hence taking her from Mexico to here.”“I was doing that to stop the Moretti's drug operation,” I answer. “And I did, but Don Hurio brought her here for some unknown reason.”“So you don't want her on the board.”I huff. “Yes.”“Because?”“There is something suspicious about it all," I answered taking a seat on the chair.He walks out and I let out a breath. I don't know if he believed me but that's all I have for now. I take the papers from the safe, going through them one by one. If there's something to know about the
Maya's pov“Are you still mad at me?” I ask stepping in front of Holden blocking his view from the screen. He doesn't move but shifts his grip on the controller his knuckles whitening.The bluish glow from the TV flickers across his face, highlighting the angle of his jaw. His doe eyes flick up to meet mine, but his expression is unreadable.“I'm not mad at you,” he says but his tone says otherwise. I jump next to him. “Yes you are, you have barely talked to me.”“You want me to talk to you?”I look away. “Yeah, you're my friend.”I look back just in time to see him smile. “Well, you don't act like I'm your friend.”My stomach churns. “I told you, I can't tell you what's wrong with Cassian,” I mumble, touching his thigh. “But I can tell you, I'm taking care of him and I won't let anything happen to him.”Something crosses his face. “Cool.”Silence takes over and the tension is suffocating. “Do you want me to teach you how to play?”I light up. “Yeah.”He takes another game controller
Cassian's povHer eyes darken, her breathing coming out in short, ragged gasps as she tries to come down from the high. She buttons her shirt with practiced ease fixing her brassiere. She smooths down her skirt, a satisfied grin curling on her lips. The dim office light flickers casting shadows over the desk we just sprawled over. She takes a step back her legs wobbling slightly, but she recovers slightly like someone who has done this a million times.“You really know what you're doing.”I zip up my pants, my movements swift, detached. Grabbing a wipe, I clean my hands but the sensation of her touch lingers — the way her hips bucked when my fingers digged into them, her breath hot against my ear.“Did you need anything else?” I ask, barely meeting her eyes.She clears her throat. “Uh no, I got what I wanted,” she says, opening the door. “For now.”The words make my skin crawl. Having sex with her is like giving a child candy every time they cry — they always throw tantrums to get mor
Maya's povI flip the envelope in my hand ready to open it just to piss him off. He just keeps on getting worse and if that's not enough he even sends Holden after a girl.How could he?My fingers slide under the seal tearing the top off not caring about the consequences. The paper rustles as I take it out of the envelope. Names of people are boldly written in black and the first three are marked off with a big red line.A wave of nausea hits me as I look at the photos. A woman smiles boldly in all the photos, one going to work, school another one with her kids —Is he having her followed?My eyes travel to the first paper and I recognize the name. Oscar Wright. The man he drugged me to kill.As if he couldn't get any worse I'm proved wrong. He is going around killing people, the papers slide from my lap flowing to the floor just as the door flies open.My heart lurches to my throat, my throat coming out in slow gasps. He stands there, his wide eyes mirroring mine. “Maya,” he calls p
Maya's pov“Amy hey,” I mumble, cupping her face.“Hmm. You can't tell anybody about that man,” I mumble making her brows perk together.“Why?” She asks confused.My throat tightens. I may hate Cassian but I don't want him getting in trouble with the law. “Because if you tell them about that man, the bad men will come and get him.”She pouts her eyes becoming glossier again. “Will they get us too?”I shake my head. “The police are here to keep us safe.”“But—”I cut her off. “Pinky promise?”She intertwines her pinky with mine and just in time a police car stops outside the shop. “Pinky promise.”Dr.Ben gets out rushing towards us. “Maya,” he says, looking me up and down.“What happened?” He asks and I look at my leg. “Uh, I was shot getting away,” I whisper.He lowers his eyes at me. “God, I'm so sorry.”A parademic gets in. He looks at Amy and she clings to my shirt. “I'm here,” I mumble when I see she is reluctant to leave.Ben gives me a curious glance. “Yeah, we hid until we sa
Cassian's povMy phone trembles in my hand as I dial Maya's line again, it goes directly to voicemail and I feel my whole body shake. This is stupid. My hands clutch the steering wheel tighter as I meander through the streets my mind going to the worst case scenariosWhat if they got to her?By the thought of that I increase the speed. Nothing can happen to her. I thought the best solution was keeping her away from me so she could be safe but here she is, far away and still in danger. I reach the Bay area grabbing my guns. A fire truck sits there and an injured patient and a firefighter lies there dead. I sigh in relief when I find she's not in there.Did she come in this?I walk ahead looking for any sign of her, the air too still for comfort. I call her line again and this time it rings but she doesn't answer.“Maya, where are you?” I whisper looking at the buildings. The smell of gunpowder clings to the air, the last rays of the sun peering on the ground.The necklace. Did she take
Maya's povI roll on the bed a heavy arm draped against my waist. I look at my bare skin and the man sleeping next to me.Holden.Last night's events flood back and I bite down on my lip.What have I done?I look at the clock — 6;19, it's almost time for work. I slowly slip out of the bed each squeak of the mattress sending a tremor down my body. My bare feet find ground and I take the robe by the chair tying it around my body as if it will hide the shame clawing its way up my spine.What was I thinking?I shouldn't have let this happen.All of this was behind me. I step into the shower the warm water cascading over me, trailing a familiar path down my body. How could I have been so careless?Ten minutes later, my hair was tied back, my scrubs on my body. My fingers tremble as I tap Holden awake scared of what I might find. His eyes flutter open, his whole demeanor screaming sleepy.“Ugh, it's morning,” he says, his voice soft and husky.I twitch at where I stand, the need to get a
Maya's povSusan glares at me as I crane my neck to look through the transparent glass just in time to see a car drive off. Was it Cassian or am I hallucinating?God, I miss him so much I'm seeing him at work. Like he would ever come here.“Dr. Sanchez,” a fellow calls placing a baby in my arms. “Clean her up and take her to the NICU.”I look at the baby safely wrapped around a baby shoal and I envy it. God, what I would give to have no problems or worries.Especially of someone you can never have, be with. I find the nurse working there giving her the baby. “You can go inform the mother.”I nod trekking to her room. She lies inside the room clutching her empty stomach. “Your baby is safe in the NICU and she will be delivered to you shortly.”Her lips tug up. “Are you feeling fine?” I ask and she nods.“Where's my boy?”“Its a she,” I correct.“No, the one with the man that brought us here. He is two years old.”I look around. “Let me go find him.”I halt. “What's his name?”“Joe.”I
Cassian's povI clutch my phone tightly, my heart feeling like it will rip out of its ribcage. Maya.She just called me after all I've put her through. My thumb lingers over the call button, my hand literally trembling.Doesn't she hate me?What does this even mean?I bite my lip, pressing it but my heart shatters when it says it's disconnected.What if it was a mistake?Maybe she didn't mean to.I drop it on my desk rubbing my face with my hands. I let out a shaky breath. This is torture. How did I ever think I could stay away from her?I pick my jacket and car keys. I'm going to find her. I get into my car, turning it on and driving out of the estate. I look at the time and it's a little bit after midnight.Where am I even going?I stop the car by the side of the road banging my fist on the steering wheel. What kind of person am I becoming?“Maya,” I whisper, the name feeling like a burden I can't carry. I sit up late trying to imagine my life before her and I can't even fathom thre
Maya's pov“You should come,” Benta whines as I close the locker, fixing my jacket.“Yeah, you came back and have been working nonstop, you need to have some fun,” Liv adds, swaying her hips.I chuckle pulling the bag to my shoulder. “Ugh, don't you even dare say no tomorrow we don't have work,” Benta interjects.I smile nodding. I need some fun. They all cheer. “We are going to the club,” Lisa hums.We leave for the bar, the clock at ten p.m sharp. My legs feel a bit sore but I think I can hold on for some hours. Find my footing around men without Cassian.The club is packed by the time we arrive and we weave to the open bar. “Tequila shots and keep them coming,” Benta says, tapping the counter playfully.The guy smiles, pouring us three glasses. I take mine downing it in a go. “You ain't playing,” Lisa says, shoving me slightly.I chuckle looking at the guy. He winks and my cheeks warm. “He is really hot,” she whispers. I pinch her thigh. “Not happening.”“I can ask for you when he
Cassian's povI remove the pods from my ears watching Holden's figure meander inside the house. He wears an ugly brown hood and washed-away jeans that make him look homeless.“Holden,” I call grabbing his attention. He looks up, dark circles covering his eyes.“Where have you been?” I ask my voice echoing around the house. He sighs touching his temples. “Why are you being so loud?”He brushes past me and I grab his arm. The stench of alcohol wraps around him and my stomach twists. “Seriously, where have you been?”He unclutches my fingers from his arm. “Just around.”I trail his face. “Are you okay?”Something etches in his face. “When did you start caring about my well-being”“When you decided to disappear for more than three weeks,” I counter.“It doesn't matter, I'm back.”Before I can ask him more questions he moves to the stairwell climbing up. I watched him until he disappeared through the hallway.I huff rubbing my hand over my forehead. What is going on with him?I look throu
Maya's povI scrub my hands smiling through the enclosed space. I never thought I'd be back here.“Mrs Sanchez,” Dr Ben calls, sliding to the tap next to me. I look at him briefly before focusing my attention on the operating room — it's beautiful.Tools are arranged properly in basins, minimal fluorescent lighting, and nurses surround the patient. It's like heaven on earth.“Mrs Sanchez,” he repeats his voice, breaking through my thoughts. “Uh, did you say something?”We walk inside the scrub nurses helping us with the surgical clothes. “I asked if you prepared for the surgery.”I nod standing across from him. “Then tell me what it's about.”“We are performing a coronary artery bypass grafting, to restore blood flow to the blocked artery with the vessel we take from the patients leg.”“Okay, so what is the first step?” He asks, his piercing blue eyes pinning me in place.I clear my throat. “You make an incision on the chest.”He glares at me. “The median sternotomy, then you split th
Maya's povDear Maya Isabelle Sanchez,I am glad to inform you that you have received a position back at Mercy Grace Hospital as a resident. After reviewing your case file and after much discussion with the board, we have concluded that your termination was unwarranted. You are a talented surgeon and one mistake should not shape your whole career. We would be honored to have you return and work for us so that we can nurture you into the fine surgeon you've always wanted to become.Chief Surgeon,Xavier McKinney.”I re-read the email again my hands trembling.“Am I dreaming?” I chuckle softly, overwhelmed in disbelief.Do they want me back?They want me back.I clutch my phone tightly and for a split second I almost run to show my parents but I remember they don't know the predicament that I was in.What I lost. What I gave up on.But that doesn't matter anymore I can be a surgeon again.Cassian.I shake my head.“No, he is yesterday's news.”This is a second chance to get what I want