THE RIFT CHAPTER 40- THE RIFT MARVIN It's been three days since Brandy's visit , but I noticed Maya becoming withdrawn nowadays . She hardly talks to me and if that doesn't make things worse , she avoids me nowadays . I told the maid to call her down for dinner , but she came up with some flimsy excuse . I can't believe she's expecting me to believe that hullshit . Does she think I was born yesterday or something ? I was unable to take it anymore and went up to her room . I didn't even bothe knocking on the door and barged into her room instead . She flinched upon seeing me , and glared at me . She was watching a series on her phone and I noticed a tray of food on a drawer next to her bed . She lied that she wasn't feeling hungry but snuck food upstairs . " So , you look very starved , " I said , my hands crossed together with sarcasm laced in my voice . She rolled off her eyes , and kicked off the blankets . " What are you doing here ? I don't want any company right now . " I ignored her statement . " Why are you avoiding me , maya ? I know you're putting up all this act because you don't want to see me and I'm not buying your lies . " She rolled her eyes . " Why can't you take no for an answer for once . This is exactly what I hate about you . It's the way you're always so controlling and it's driving me to the edge . " I crossed my hands and scoffed at her statement . " Cintrolling you ? I'm only trying to protect you here and if anything- You're only acting like an entitled brat . " " Entitled brat ? " She yelled . " I didn't ask for your protection . I don't need any of these and if it makes you better then I'd gladly leave your house for you . " She stormed out of the room , and I stared at the empty space she stood in earlier on . This girl was getting on my nerves and I was trying my best not to lose it with her . She's been that way since Brandy visited and she doesn't know what's going on in her head since she refuses to tell him anything . He was sure that whatever going on with her has a lot to do with Brandy . I wanted to go and meet her downstairs and talk to her , when my phone started blaring . I checked the caller id , realizing that it's from an old acquaintance . I picked up the phone , pressing it to my ear . " Yeah ? " I said , my voice rough . On the other end , I heard the low , steady voice of one of my men , Rico . " Boss , " he said , " you're not gonna like this . I just saw Larry . He was in some shady bar on the east side . He wasn't alone either . " My grip on the phone tightened . " Who was he with ? " " Rico hesitated . " A guy named Victor . You remember him , right ? The one from a few years back . The one who doesn't show his face unless there's trouble coming . " I leaned back against the wall , my jaw clenching . " Yeah . I remember him . " Rico kept talking . " They looked real close . Whispering , talking for a long time . Whatever they were cooking up , it's not good . I could tell by the way Larry left - like he was satisfied with something . " 1/2 THE RIFT +25 BONUS I stayed quiet for a moment , thinking . My chest felt heavy , like a storm was sitting there waiting to break . " Alright . Keep eyes on them . I'll handle the rest . " " Got it , boss , " Rico said , and hung up . I slipped the phone into my pocket and stayed there for a few seconds , staring the floor . I knew Victor . And I knew if Larry was meeting him , it meant one thing - trouble . Big trouble . I turned and walked downstairs , my steps slow but heavy . Maya was sitting on the couch now , scrolling through her phone like nothing was wrong . She didn't even look up at me until I stood right in front of her . " What ? " she asked , frowning . I took a deep breath . " I need you to listen to me . I promised to keep you safe . And if I'm gonna keep that promise , it means I have to get my hands dirty . " Her eyes widened . " What are you talking about ? " I sat down beside her , leaning forward , elbows on my knees . " Larry's moving pieces . I just got word he's meeting with someone dangerous from my past . That means he's planning something . And I'm not gonna sit around and let him strike first . " She shook her head quickly . " No , Marvin . Don't do this . You're making it worse . Every time you ' get your hands dirty, ' something bad happens . " " This is different , " I said , my voice low but steady . " This isn't about me picking a fight . This is about protecting you . And if he's going after me , that means he's going after you too . " She put her phone down and turned toward me fully . " I don't need this kind of protection . You think you're helping , but all you're doing is creating more enemies . And I'm the one who has to live with the fallout . " I looked at her , my jaw tight . " You think I don't know that ? You think I like doing this ? I hate it . But I can't just sit here . Not when I know what's coming . " She reached for my arm , her grip light but desperate . " Please , Marvin . Just let it go this time . If you retaliate , it'll never end . " I pulled my arm back slowly , not because I was angry at her , but because I had already made up my mind . " You don't get it . If I don't move first , he'll hit us harder . You won't see it coming. And by then , it'll be too late . " Her eyes filled with frustration . " Then at least tell me what you're going to do . " I stood up , shaking my head . " No. The less you know , the better . Just ... stay inside . Keep the doors locked . Don't talk to anyone you don't trust . " She stood too , following me toward the hallway . " Marvin , I'm serious . Don't- " But I didn't let her finish . " Maya , I've already decided . This is my fight . And if I have to go through hell to keep you safe , then that's what I'm gonna do . " I grabbed my jacket from the coat rack , my mind already racing with the next steps . Behind me , I heard her mutter , almost too quiet to catch , " One day , this will destroy you . " Maybe she was right . But I wasn't going to let Larry make the first move .