Jason's POV

I furrowed my eyebrows in slight irritation as my phone vibrated underneath my pillow, waking me up out of my sleep. I kept my eyes closed, reaching for my phone as I accepted the call.

"Hello?" I answered sleepily.

"Jason, are you alone? This is important."

It was Elijah, my informant.

I opened my eyes, turning my head to the right as I glanced at Maia who was soundly asleep. I'll admit, sleeping with her wasn't ideal. I could care less about her. But it wasn't hard to see she was deprived of love and tried to find an emotional connection with me.

Honestly, it was a bit pathetic. Especially when she knew I would never be capable of what she wanted.

I shifted my attention back to my phone call. "Give me a minute."

I got out of her bed, quickly throwing a shirt on as I walked over to the door with silent footsteps. I gently twisted the doorknob with the sleeve of my shirt, pulling it open as it didn't make a sound. I left the door ajar, walking through the hallway as my eyes adjusted to the darkness.

"What's going on?" I softly asked.

"It appears your little girlfriend is under suspicion for the murder of Danny Brivio." Elijah teased, trying to keep the seriousness in his voice.

Oh yeah, that annoying Italian criminal that kept hopping from state to state. Killing him at that San Diego gas station was so satisfying. Surprisingly, his will to live was pretty strong. I was impressed. I usually don't have to shoot people more than once.

Now, did I mean to kill the officer that was arresting him? No. But hey, he was in my way.

I chuckled. "She's not my girlfriend Elijah."

"Right..." He trailed off. "That's why you haven't been fucking her." He sarcastically remarked.

I playfully scoffed. "It's all just for fun. Besides, she gives it up real easy too." I smirked.

Elijah laughed. "Well I hate to ruin your fun but she's a person of interest now. It's only a matter of time before she's arrested."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk what a shame." I sighed. "I suppose I missed Montreal. I'll be home soon."

"See you then Jason." Elijah promptly hung up.

I glanced at the time on my phone screen, 5:09am.

Before I went back to Maia's bedroom I stopped by the bathroom, quickly brushing my teeth. I took my toothbrush with me, throwing it in my duffle bag, along with anything I had touched with my bare hands. There was the potential for Maia's place to be searched and I made sure absolutely nothing in this house could be traced back to me.

I quickly got dressed, brushing my hair back with my hands to look somewhat decent before putting on my leather gloves.

I set my duffle bag by the door, walking over to Maia's bedside as I took a seat on her bed. "Maia." I called out, gently shaking her awake. "Maia wake up."

She turned over, glancing at me with narrowed eyes. "Jason?" Her voice was groggy. Maia quickly sat up, noticing I was completely dressed up.

"Where...where are you going?" She sleepily asked.

"C'mon," I gestured her to get out of bed. "Stand up."

She was confused but did what I said. "What's going on?" She looked up at me, trying to make out my face in the dark.

I softly caressed her cheek. "It seems like your demons have caught up with you chérie."

"And well," I smirked. "I just can't be a part of that. You understand, right?" Maia's confused expression quickly transformed into fear and I knew she realized what I was referring to.

Her eyes begged me not to leave as she shook her head. "Wait, Jason, no you can't-," She sharply inhaled as I gripped her ponytail, tugging her hair down making her chin tilt up.

"I can. And I will." I wrapped her hair around my fist, preparing myself for what I was about to do. I glanced at the iron bedframe behind her.

She took in staggered breaths, gazing at me with a pained look and tears in her eyes. "Jason, please." Maia whispered, desperately holding onto my jacket.

"Here's something to remember," I lowered my voice, looking down at her with a cold glare. "Never involve your romantic feelings with business. It never ends well."

I swiftly slammed the side of her head onto the edge of the iron bedframe, listening to the metal ring out as her head hit the frame and she collapsed on the floor.

Her head slumped to the side once she hit the floor and I stood over her unconscious body for a moment, watching as a trickle of blood began to make its way down her face. All I did was kill someone she wanted dead. It wasn't my job to save her from the consequences.

Well, I'm sure the police would be a nice surprise for her when she wakes up.

...

Leo's POV

I tossed and turned, noticing the sensation of light shining on my face as my eyes were closed. I pulled the covers over my face, trying to block out the light. Didn't I close my blinds? Why was it so bright in here?

I turned over on my side, attempting to fall back asleep when I noticed another strange sensation.

I wasn't alone in my bed.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, slowly pulling the covers away from my face to see who or what was next to me. My face softened as my eyes locked with the familiar brown ones I was so used to seeing in the mornings.

"Nadia?" I sadly whispered.

She warmly smiled at me. "Your eyes are so pretty in the sunshine." She spoke so softly, like there was nothing wrong between us.

She was in an off-white short silk dress and the sun caressed her skin, making her look angelic.

Nadia quietly sighed; her gaze never left my face. "What am I doing here Leo?"

"I don't-I don't know." I mumbled, trying to keep my composure. I laid back down on my back, avoiding her eyes.

She giggled, scooting closer to me as she rested the palm of her hand on my chest, directly over my heart. "You don't have to lie."

My jaw clenched as I looked back at her, holding back the vulnerable emotions I had that wanted to manifest themselves through my tears.

"I just miss you." I hastily confessed as my voice broke.

"Oh, Leo," Nadia pitifully looked at me, gently placing her hand on my cheek. My breath was labored as I tried to keep my shit together. All I could focus on was the heavy aching in my chest. This wasn't real and I hated that my mind portrayed her in such an innocent light.

Nadia straddled herself on top of me and I quickly sucked my teeth, rolling my eyes in agitation. "C'mon Nadia, please don't do this." How was I supposed to get over her when her touch felt so real in my dreams?

"You shouldn't miss me. Look what I made you do to me."

"Fuck," I shamefully muttered, wiping the tears in my eyes as I glanced at the bruises I had left on her body after our fight. The bruises on her neck stood out the most.

"Nadia you know I'm sorry about that night."

"Are you?" She questioned, tilting her head at me. She shook her head. "I don't think you are."

"I am." I nodded. "You have to believe me." I pleaded, feeling my tears roll down my cheek.

"You know what you could do though?" She leaned down, stopping inches away from my face like she was gonna kiss me. I nervously glanced down at her lips waiting for what she was gonna say until her angelic demeanor broke and that devilish smile of hers appeared on her face.

"You could always prove it to me." She whispered, brushing her lips against mine.

I quickly pushed her off me, sitting up simultaneously as my dream ended, waking up with a sharp inhale.

I laid back down, slumping my head against my pillow just staring at the ceiling for a moment. I rubbed my face letting out a frustrated groan as I thought about my dream. I still wanted to apologize to Nadia in person as an excuse to see her again one last time.

I wished I wasn't so torn about our whole situation. The version of her in my dream was right. I shouldn't miss her. I shouldn't. I needed to move on but I know I'd feel so much better getting this apology off my chest.

I heavily sighed, realizing how damaging this could be for me. I didn't even see why I was trying to reason with myself when I didn't care.

My mind was still set on seeing Nadia.

...

Maia's POV

I slowly fluttered my eyes open, feeling a sharp pain from my temple throughout the side of my head. I reached out for my bed, clinging onto the comforter for support as I sat up. My hand shook as I touched the open wound on my head that left my hair damp with blood.

I pressed my lips together, breathing out through my nose to deflect the pain I felt. I pulled my hand away, glancing at my blood splotched fingers, holding back the urge to cry.

The house was quiet. He was really gone.

I looked around my room, feeling my heartbeat accelerate as I noticed his belongings were nowhere to be found.

I pressed my tongue against the roof of my mouth continuing to ward my tears away as my jaw clenched. It shouldn't have hurt this bad. I should have known Jason didn't care about me.

But I never expected him to actually hurt me.

I blinked rapidly a couple of times, letting a few tears fall. I quickly wiped them away feeling embarrassed at crying over something so stupid. Why'd I let myself believe Jason liked me, even just a little bit?

I knew what he did and I still blindly fell for him. All because he was a powerful man who killed two men that did me wrong.

I was in trouble and I knew it. I couldn't even drag Jason down with me. He'd make sure my life ended in the worst way possible if I ever uttered his name to the authorities.

Exposing him wasn't an option and I was on my own at this point. If I was smart enough, I could still save myself from prison.

Jason's gone, that means I'm being looked for. I needed to get out of here.

I carefully stood up, swaying a bit trying to keep my balance. I took my phone off my dresser, stuffing it in the pocket of my shorts. I knew blood stained my skin but I wasn't sure if I had time to clean myself up. I just needed to get in my car and go.

I ran through my house, stumbling over my feet and bumping into the walls as I was still disoriented from the blow to my head. I grabbed my car and house keys that rested on the kitchen counter, putting on a random pair of sandals rushing out towards the front door.

I opened the front door, glancing out at the neighborhood that seemed peacefully quiet. There was a gentle breeze and nothing out of the ordinary. I let out a quiet sigh of relief. I still had time.

I hurriedly locked the front door, speed walking to my car in the driveway when I heard a loud siren blare out stopping me in my tracks as I flinched.

Three police cars closed in on me, blocking any way for me to escape.

"Fuck," I muttered underneath my breath, trying to ignore the anxiety that crawled up my spine.

Maia, c'mon stay calm...

"Hands up! Where we can see them!" I heard one of the officers yell out. I slowly put my hands up, letting my keys drop to the ground. "Turn around!" He yelled out again. I hesitantly did what he said, closing my eyes as I took a deep breath. I hated that I had my back towards them.

I heard the sound of car doors closing, following brisk footsteps coming my way. "Is there a problem officer-," I gasped as my arms were quickly pulled behind my back and I was shoved onto my garage door. I could feel my blood boil as my face was pressed against the garage and I felt handcuffs trap my wrists. Why the hell were they so aggressive?

"Ms. Roche-Cruz, you're under arrest under the suspicion for the murder of Danny Brivio. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." I could feel my fear grow immensely as one of the officers read me my Miranda Rights.

"You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?"

"Yes." I mumbled, trying not to resist the restraint the officers had on me.

"With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?"

"No." I bitterly replied.

I listened to the sound of another pair of footsteps coming towards me. My eyes met with a woman in a dark grey button up shirt and black slacks with a badge and gun holstered on her belt.

She silently observed the mixture of dry and fresh blood that ran down my face as I angrily gazed at her.

"Maia Roche-Cruz," She exhaled, looking at me with a smirk on her face. "It's so good to finally meet you."

...
Hopefully there was no surprise Jason threw Maia under the bus lol but like she said if she's smart enough she can avoid prison time 😬
And we also have Leo deciding to see Nadia again *sigh*
Anyways thanks for reading! Pls leave a vote/comment if you'd like <3