Mihai
MIHAI
I slam my phone down on the table, the last call with our fathers still echoing in my head. They’re pissed. And they should be. There’s a mole, someone on the fucking inside who’s betrayed us, and that’s not something you take lightly.
Nikolai and Gio were told to leave the guy we caught to stew for a day. Let him marinate in his own fear before we tear him apart. Tomorrow, all four of us will be in on the questioning.
My jaw tightens as the scene plays over and over in my head—the guy holding a knife to Maddy’s throat, that look of terror in her eyes as she lay on the floor completely helpless, the blood.
And the way she screamed my name. I can’t get it out of my head. That sound won’t leave me. It’s burned into my mind, a constant reminder of how close I came to losing her.
It makes me want to fucking kill him.
I need to break something. Someone.
But first, I need to check on her.
When I get to Maddy’s room, the door is slightly ajar. Quietly, I push it open, careful not to wake her if she’s sleeping. The soft glow of a bedside lamp spills across the room, and there she is—curled up on the bed, her blonde hair fanned out against the pillow, looking so damn fragile.
Chiara and Cat are sitting nearby, their faces drawn with concern. They glance up when I enter, and Chiara speaks first, her voice low. “No matter what she says, she’s not okay, . Not even close.”
I nod, not needing them to elaborate. I know. I can see it in the way she’s holding herself, even in sleep—tense, like she’s ready to bolt at any second. My jaw tightens, the anger simmering just below the surface, but I push it down. Right now, I need to be calm. For her.
Cat stands, giving me a small smile. “We’ll leave you with her. We’ve been trying to get her to rest, but… you know how it is.”
Chiara rises too, her hand resting briefly on my arm. “She needs you.”
I nod again, and they quietly slip out of the room, leaving just Maddy and me.
I glance at the chair opposite her bed, deciding to sit there for a bit. Just to watch over her. Just to make sure nothing else happens tonight.
The room is silent, save for the sound of her breathing—soft, but uneven. I settle into the chair, leaning back slightly as I keep my eyes on her. She looks so different from the version of her I’d seen online.
The old Maddy. The one who wasn’t afraid of anything. The one who laughed loud, wore whatever the hell she wanted, and didn’t give a damn about anyone’s opinion.
I’ve watched all the videos and scrolled through her social media. She used to be a rebel. Bold. Outspoken. There was this fire in her eyes, this untouchable confidence that drew people to her. She wasn’t just surviving—she was living. And now…
Now she’s a ghost of that girl. The fire’s gone, replaced by a quiet fear that she can’t seem to shake.
I watch her as she sleeps, the way her chest rises and falls with each breath. She’s been through hell, and she’s still here. Still fighting, in her own way.
I admire that. I admire her.
I catch myself thinking about the old videos again, the ones where she’d laugh and flip off the camera, or sing like she didn’t care who was listening.
And fuck, I want to see that girl again.
I sit back in the chair, my arms crossed over my chest as I continue to watch her. There’s something about the quiet, the stillness of the room, that lets me think a little clearer. I think about everything that’s happened, about how close we came to losing her tonight.
And I think about the way she called my name.
I’ve been through a lot of shit in my life, seen more violence and betrayal than most people could imagine. But that sound, her voice—broken, terrified, calling out for me—that’s the thing that shook me. That’s the thing that made everything feel real in a way I wasn’t ready for.
She’s become something more, and I don’t know how to deal with that.
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees as I stare at her. How the hell did we end up here? With me, sitting in her room, watching over her like she’s the most important thing in the world. How did I let it get this far?
But I can’t deny it. I don’t want to deny it.
Fuck.
I lean back again, trying to keep my head clear, but it’s no use. The image of her, the way she looked tonight when she was so scared, won’t leave my mind. And all I want to do is make sure she never feels like that again.
She stirs in her sleep, her brow furrowing for a moment before settling back into a more peaceful expression. I don’t move, just keep watching her, making sure she’s okay. I’d stay here all night if I had to. Hell, I’d stay here for the rest of my life if it meant keeping her safe.
Because she’s more than just a responsibility. She’s more than just a loose end to be tied up.
She’s Maddy.
My little rebel.
I smirk slightly at the thought, shaking my head. I know I’m getting in too deep, but there’s no turning back now. Not after tonight. Not after hearing her scream my name like that.
She’s in my blood now, whether I like it or not.
As I sit there, watching her sleep, I make a silent promise. I’ll protect her. I’ll bring back the girl she used to be. The fire, the confidence, the rebellious spirit that’s still in there, somewhere.
I’ll help her find it again.