Chapter 7: The Price of Protection
Lia and Marco's whispers filled the darkness, their plan beginning to take shape. They spoke in hushed tones, their words barely audible over the sound of their own ragged breathing.
"We need to get you out of here," Marco said, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for hidden dangers. "But we can't do it without help."
Lia nodded, her mind racing with the possibilities. "Who can we trust?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Marco hesitated, his eyes clouding over with uncertainty. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "Maximo has a lot of people in his pocket. It's hard to know who's loyal to him and who's not."
Lia's heart sank, her hopes of escape dwindling. But then Marco's face brightened, a look of determination crossing his features.
"I think I know someone who might be able to help us," he said, his voice filled with a newfound sense of purpose. "Her name is Sophia. She's one of Maximo's most trusted advisors, but I think she might be willing to help us."
Lia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. "Why would she help us?" she asked, her voice skeptical.
Marco leaned in close, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Sophia has a secret," he said, his eyes glinting with intrigue. "A secret that could bring down Maximo's entire empire."
Lia's heart skipped a beat, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Marco hesitated, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for hidden dangers. "I'll tell you later," he said finally. "First, we need to get you out of here."
Lia nodded, her mind racing with the possibilities. She was ready to take a chance, to risk everything for the chance to escape.
Together, Lia and Marco began to put their plan into action. They moved quietly, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. They reached the door, and Marco slowly turned the handle, his eyes scanning the hallway beyond.
The coast was clear, and Lia breathed a sigh of relief. They slipped out into the hallway, their footsteps echoing off the walls.
As they moved through the mansion, Lia couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but there was no one there.
Marco noticed her fear and placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "We're almost there," he whispered. "Just a little farther."
Lia nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She was ready to take a chance, to risk everything for the chance to escape.
They reached the kitchen, and Marco quickly moved to the back door. He slowly turned the handle, his eyes scanning the darkness beyond.
The door creaked open, and Lia felt a rush of cool night air. She stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest.
But as she reached the doorway, Lia felt a hand on her shoulder, spinning her back around. She stumbled, her feet tangling in the hem of her dress.
As she looked up, Lia saw Maximo standing in front of her, his eyes blazing with anger.
"You're not going anywhere," he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Lia's heart sank, her hopes of escape dwindling. She was trapped, caught in Maximo's web of deceit and corruption.
But as she looked into Maximo's eyes, Lia saw something there, something that looked almost like desperation.
"What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Maximo's eyes narrowed, his face twisting into a cruel smile. "I want your loyalty," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I want you to do what I say, without question."
Lia's heart recoiled, her mind racing with the implications. She was trapped, caught in a web of corruption and deceit. And the only way to escape was to pay the price of protection.
"What do I have to do?" she asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Maximo's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with triumph. "You'll do what I say," he repeated. "And in return, I'll keep you safe."
Lia's heart sank, her hopes of escape dwindling. She was trapped, caught in Maximo's web of deceit and corruption. And the only way to escape was to pay the price of protection.