Maya's mouth fell open as she shuffled back a step. A sudden coldness that struck at her core.

“Shedrack. What are you doing?” She said, ducking her chin to hide her neck.

“What does it look like?”

“Newsflash. I made you an offer at the charity gala, which I never got feedback.” She paused, watching him closely.

Shedrack let out a wrinkled brow, shooting glances at her. “So what now! Why are you here? What do you want from me?”

“Relax Shedrack. I don't know you to be like this. You should lend a listening ear. I have feedback on your offer at the gala.”

Shedrack tilted his head, pressing lips into a fine line. “Which is?”

Maya's hand slipped into her outfit where the pen knife was, but she couldn't get it out. Her gaze fixed on Shedrack.

“Let's team up and bring down Rickey. You both want an electoral position of a senate rep in the government parastatals, which automatically gives you an upper hand in the overall mafia city.”

He narrowed his eyes, squinting. Evaluating the subject as he slowly lowered the gun.

“I'm the only one close to Rickey on a personal level, so this means only one thing. I get to know his every move and with that, you get to be a step ahead of him.”

“Interesting.” He crossed his arms, leaning forward.

“Tell me. Why should I trust you?” Maya's eyebrows furrowed, a small smile building beneath.

The document and ID Pin credentials rested on the table in the other corner of the room. Maya's gaze shifted to it. Her curiosity picked.

“That must be the file.” She whispered softly beneath her voice as her feet trembled slightly.

Shedrack cocked his gun, jolting her back to his question. She flinched, a cocky smile playing up his lips.

“I want you to help me escape Rickey's clutches.” She titled her neck, wearing a long stare. Shedrack paused, blinking his right eye slightly as he studied her body movement. “You know you need me, She paused, swallowing hard. Why waste a bullet on someone who's capable of bringing down your enemy.”

“Oh, spare me that sermon, Maya. What were you asked to steal from me? Speak! Before I render you footless, that you won't be able to go back to your pathetic boss.”

She clutched the pen knife beneath her dress tightly. The tension in the room growing thicker. He released a bullet into the wall, which made her brows shut in as her face tightened-stomach quivering.

“Now you see. I'm d*mn serious. You better start talking. You pathetic thief!" Maya stood there. Her hands trembling in her pockets.

“I thought we had a deal?” She tried talking him into it again to shift his attention. “Don't mess with me, Maya.”

“I'm just a girl. Why should I even think about doing that?” She said softly, pinching an eye to Peter, who was at the door. A wooden chair in his arm.

“You want something, and I'm here to help.” She said calmly, her breath shaky as her eyes shifted to something behind.

“Who's that?” He asked, turning to look at the figure behind. Peter struck him with the chair. He fell to the ground with a loud thud.

“Maya, run! Let's get out of here.” Peter shouted, pulling Maya to himself, who clutched the document and ID card credentials to her chest as she ran out of the room into the car.

“Come back here, Maya! You played me for a fool.” He yelled, leaping on the floor as he staggered to get a balance to stand up.

“They wouldn't be too far.” He muttered, grabbing his gun immediately. His feet running through the staircase, chasing for their car, but they were long gone. He lowered himself into his car, his hands firm on the sterry.

“This isn't happening.” As the wheels rode through the road, Maya fastened her seatbelt, darting sideways for any trace of Shedrack but found none. When the coast was clear. Maya let out a loud gasp with a smile that hid at the corners of her lips.

“Finally tonight, I will be leaving this life for good once I hand this over to Rickey.” She whispered, clutching the documents softly.

RICKEY'S MANSION.

“Boss I've got bad news, one of Rickey's guards-Simeon came with this information.

"Someone has hacked into your office CCTV camera and from the look of things it looks like a dark web.”

“What!” He jumped off his car. His skin flushed as he clenched and unclenched his hand, knuckles white. His nostrils flared, lips pulling back, baring his teeth.

“You better be joking.” His green eyes pierced into Simeon's whose pupils dilated, stuttering as his stomach quivered with a fluttery feel which made his muscles twitch.

Rickey kicked over a wooden chair as he dashed into the CCTV office. Simeon followed him from behind with trembling feet and sweaty palms.

“You know the rules, right? You know what happens if you break them.” He nodded, his mouth dry, unable to speak. His skin grew sensitive as the hair lifted on his nape with tendons standing out- a visible pulse.

“Then you better start talking. Because you're responsible for this space. And you know how much I detest incompetent fools.” Spittle built up in the corners of his mouth. His feet planted wide apart. Impatient. Simeon's elbows pressed into his sides, making him small. His shoulders tight with his lips trembling as he spoke.

“Boss. I can explain. It's not what you think. I have no hand in this, he stammered, I mean. I wouldn't betray you for any reason.”

“My instructions were to make sure the office was locked. But No! You just sat there and allowed every other person to come in and do whatever they wanted.”

Muscles and veins strained against skin as he limbered up shoulders as if ready to throw him a punch.

“Sir, I suggest we wait for the rest of the guys to return tonight so I can properly investigate.” He said calmly, face on the floor, avoiding eye contact with Rickey.

“Now, how do I fish out who this disloyal nuisance is and put him or her in their respective place.” He yelled, jabbing a finger towards Simeon. A pointing in his ears and a dry throat from rushed breathing.

“F**k you all, he punched a wall, gritting his teeth."So I can't even trust you guys." Simeon withdrew back a little, his heartbeat slipping off his chest. Inform the others. I want them in my room before 10pm.

Bull sh*t!" He reached out for his glass of whiskey, flinging it over to the mirror which stood in front of him. The worst was here, and an enemy lurked within, but no one would ever know. The front door to his mansion creaked open. Maya made a small opening to peep through. Her eyes scanning the sitting room downstairs but no one was there so she signaled Peter to come in. But just then, Simeon fell out of the restroom, startling both of them.

“Boss, demands you two in his room. Join the rest. The meeting starts at 10.” They glanced at each other, tugging their bottom lip. They walked cautiously, titling their head side to side. Maya pushed her hair out of her face, clutching the documents and credentials to her chest. Rickey sat in his armchair. His brows wrinkled, pinching the skin of his throat, his feet tapping the marble floor. His hand tight on his rule book as he read through while his eyes shifted to his phone waiting for the hired enforcer-Jason to drop a signal.

"Rule 23 of the general Mafia book states that “Snitches would have their pinky finger cut off first before their left eye. Death will be slow and painful for them.”

He shut the book, silence enveloping the entire room. Their feet froze to a spot, shoulders tight. Face white as cold sweat trickled down their spine. As the tension grew to its peak. The enforcer hired to check for any malicious act spoke loudly by the foot of the door. "I found the culprit!"

Everyone turned to him, their eyes out in shock. It's Maya! Rickey's mouth fell open, letting out a loud gasp as the others stared incredulously. Maya ducked her chin to hide her neck. Muscles tightening as her head drew back stiffly.

“What's he saying?” She muttered softly. Arms drawing back to her body core in a protective flinch.

“She wasn't alone. She was with someone. But the person was on mask. His face was unseen.” The enforcer added.

Everyone erupted in a loud gasp. Rickey's grip on his armchair tightened. Lifting his eyebrows, searching for Maya amidst the small crew. Maya's voice echoed from behind. Her shoulders dropped as her chest caved in slightly. Mumbling.

“Here!” She managed to say, lifting the document and ID credentials above her head. Slowly, she lowered herself, knees pulled up to chest region, circling it with her arms. A glassy stare at the enforcer before crumpling to the floor. Fainting.

Rickey shifted back a little, his limbs tingling. A light-hearted feeling fluttered in his belly. A smile flashed on his face as he beholds the document on the floor.

“Leave us. We will revisit this matter tomorrow morning.” He let out, staring straight into their faces. And with that, they all turned back to the door, leaving Maya by the foot of the bed.