Chapter 8 - THE SAFEHOUSE
Jax drove the pickup truck deep into the dense woods behind the mountain ridge.
They arrived at an old, secluded wooden cabin hidden under thick pine trees.
There were no power lines leading to the cabin, no pavement, and no sign of life.
Jax parked the truck under a camouflage netting stretched between four trees.
"In here," Jax said, unlocking the rustic wooden door.
"No power, no cell towers, no signals for them to track."
Richard carried Maya inside and placed her gently on a wide leather couch near the stone fireplace.
Jax began throwing dry logs into the hearth and struck a match.
Warm orange light slowly filled the cozy room, chasing away the damp mountain chill.
Maya wrapped herself in a thick wool blanket, holding a warm cup of water Jax handed her.
"Who is he, Dad?" Maya asked softly, looking at Jax's heavily tattooed hands.
Richard sat down beside her, taking her cold hands in his own.
"This is Jax, Maya," Richard said gently.
"He... he knew your real family," Richard admitted, his voice trembling slightly.
Maya froze, her hazel eyes widening in utter disbelief.
"My real family?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper.
"Victoria is not your biological mother, Maya," Jax said, stepping forward from the fireplace.
"My sister, Elena, was your real mother."
Tears immediately welled up in Maya’s eyes as she absorbed the words.
"Then... why did Victoria raise me?" Maya asked, confused and heartbroken.
"Because your biological father was the heir to the Vance family trust," Jax explained grimly.
"My brother, Julian's uncle, was supposed to inherit everything."
"When he died in a strange motorcycle accident, Victoria took you to keep control of the trust fund."
"If you die without an heir, the entire inheritance passes directly to Victoria," Jax revealed.
"And if my baby is born?" Maya asked, touching her round stomach protectively.
"If your baby is born alive, the trust bypasses Victoria completely and goes to your child," Richard added.
"That's why she wanted to force an early delivery," Richard realized, his voice filled with dread.
"She wanted the child born legally, but she wanted you dead so she could become the child's guardian."
Maya covered her mouth, a silent sob escaping her chest.
"She's a monster..." Maya whispered.
Suddenly, the silence of the woods was broken by a soft knock on the back door of the cabin.
Three short taps, followed by two long taps.
Jax immediately drew a heavy revolver from his waistband and aimed it at the door.
May you like
"Who's there?" Jax barked, his finger tightening on the trigger.
"It's me... Julian," a trembling voice answered from outside the door.
