Chapter 81: Tyler Is Going To Freak Out

Maya stared at him. "This is insane. This is...." She looked at Eve. "How long have you known about this? About the danger?"

"We just found out last night. About the specific threat to you." Eve moved closer. "But Maya, I’ve known for weeks that being with Dimitri would put everyone I care about at risk. And I’m so sorry. I should have told you sooner. Should have given you the chance to distance yourself from me...."

"Distance myself?" Maya’s eyes flashed. "Eve, we’ve been friends since freshman year of college. I was there when you married Simon. I was the first person you called when you caught him cheating. I was there through the divorce." She stood, crossed to Eve. "You think I’m going to bail on you now just because things got complicated?"

"This isn’t complicated. This is dangerous."

"I don’t care." Maya grabbed Eve’s hands. "You’re my best friend. My sister. And if you’re telling me you’re happy....really happy then I’m going to stand by you. Even if it means having bodyguards. Even if it means being part of this insane world."

Eve’s eyes filled with tears. "Maya...."

"Don’t cry. You’ll make me cry, and I’m wearing mascara." Maya pulled her into a fierce hug. "Besides, how bad can it be? I get hot bodyguards following me around? Tyler’s going to be so jealous."

Despite everything, Eve laughed.

"Thank you," she whispered into Maya’s shoulder. "Thank you for not running. For not hating me."

"I could never hate you." Maya pulled back, wiped her eyes. "Though I reserve the right to freak out later. And ask a million questions. And possibly need therapy."

"All reasonable," Dimitri said, and there was something almost like warmth in his voice. "Thank you for understanding. And for trusting me to protect you."

Maya looked at him, really looked at him. "You love her. Actually love her."

"More than anything."

"And you’d really go to war to protect her friends?"

"Without hesitation."

Maya nodded slowly. "Okay. Okay then." She took a shaky breath. "So. These bodyguards. Please tell me they’re attractive. Because if I’m going to have strange men following me around, they should at least be nice to look at."

Dimitri’s lips twitched. "I’ll see what I can do."

****

POV: MAYA

Two hours later, Maya sat in a coffee shop three blocks from her apartment, trying to process everything.

Eve was dating a mob boss.

Not just dating. In love with. Living with. Fully committed to.

And now Maya had two bodyguards....both ex-military, both terrifyingly competent, both (thankfully) reasonably attractive.

Their names were James and Lucas. They sat at a nearby table, close enough to intervene if needed, far enough to give the illusion of privacy.

Her phone buzzed. Tyler.

Dinner tonight? That new sushi place?

Maya stared at the message.

She should tell him. Should explain that her best friend was with someone dangerous, that Maya herself was now under protection, that their normal, boring, safe life just got very complicated.

But how?

Her phone rang. Eve.

"Hey," Maya answered.

"Hey. How are you doing? Really?"

"I’m sitting in a coffee shop with two armed men watching me drink a latte. So, you know. Thursday." Maya laughed, slightly manic. "How long have you known? About Dimitri being....what he is?"

"Since the first night." Eve’s voice was quiet. "He told me everything. Showed me everything. I went in with my eyes open."

"And you still chose him."

"Every day. I choose him every day."

Maya stirred her coffee, watching the foam swirl. "What’s it like? Being in that world?"

"Terrifying. Exhilarating. Dark. Beautiful." Eve paused. "It’s like standing on the edge of a cliff. You know one wrong step could destroy you. But the view is so incredible, you can’t bring yourself to step back."

"That’s insane."

"I know."

"You’re insane."

"I know that too." Eve’s voice softened. "But I’m happy, Maya. Happier than I’ve ever been. And I know that’s hard to understand...."

"Actually, it’s not." Maya looked at James and Lucas, both alert, both scanning the room constantly. "I saw how he looked at you this morning. Like you were the only thing in the world that mattered. Like he’d burn down the city if it meant keeping you safe." She took a sip of coffee. "Simon never looked at you like that. Never even came close."

"No. He didn’t."

"So." Maya set down her cup. "Tell me about these people who want to hurt you. Dimitri’s brother and ex-fiancée. What’s their deal?"

Eve explained. Enzo, Isabella, the Volkov alliance, the list of pressure points.

By the end, Maya felt slightly sick.

"They’re building an empire to rival his. And they’ll use anyone connected to him as leverage."

"Yes."

"Including me."

"Yes."

"Jesus." Maya rubbed her temples. "And Dimitri’s just....what? Going to have me followed forever?"

"Until the threat is neutralized."

"Which means what, exactly?"

Eve was quiet for a moment. "I don’t know yet. But knowing Dimitri? It means he’ll handle it. Permanently."

Maya understood what that meant.

Violence. Death. Things she didn’t want to think about.

"I need to tell Tyler," she said finally.

"I know."

"He’s going to freak out."

"Probably."

"He might leave me."

"If he does, he’s an idiot." Eve’s voice was fierce. "But Maya....you can’t tell him everything. For his safety and yours. Just tell him you have security because of a situation with my boyfriend. Don’t give details. Don’t name names. The less he knows, the safer he is."

"God, this is complicated."

"I know. I’m so sorry...."

"Stop apologizing." Maya watched James and Lucas, both casually alert. "You didn’t ask for this. You just fell in love with the wrong guy. Or the right guy. I’m still figuring that out."

"Me too," Eve admitted. "Every day, I’m still figuring it out."

They talked for a few more minutes.....normal things, safe things, pretending for a moment that their lives hadn’t just gotten impossibly complicated.

When Maya hung up, she sat there for a long time, staring at her coffee.

Then she texted Tyler: Change of plans for tonight. Come to my place instead. We need to talk.

His response was immediate: Everything okay?

It will be. I hope. Just come over. 7 PM?

I’ll be there. Love you.

Love you too.

Maya paid for her coffee, stood, and walked out of the shop.