Chapter 37: The Secret Plan
Maria paced the length of her apartment, her thoughts in turmoil. The news Jack had shared was still echoing in her mind. Vincent was gone. Though she despised him, his sudden death was unsettling. She knew Xavier would stop at nothing to consolidate power—and that put her in grave danger.
Jack sat on the couch, his face tense and tired. "Maria, listen to me. You can't show any reaction in public. If Xavier suspects you know about Vincent, he won't hesitate to use it against you."
Maria nodded, biting her lip. "I won't say a word. But Jack... I can't stay here anymore. I feel like a caged animal. We need to leave, and it has to be now."
Jack leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "I've been thinking the same. That's why I came here. We need to plan our escape carefully."
Maria's eyes darted toward the window. "We can use the back alley. It's quiet this time of night. But first... Jack, do you have any news about my parents?"
Jack hesitated, his expression darkening. "Maria, I was going to tell you earlier, but I didn't know how. Last Sunday, I got their correct address. I went there, hoping to see them... but when I arrived, the police were already there."
Maria's heart sank. "The police? Why?"
Jack swallowed hard. "They were... collecting bodies. Your parents were killed, Maria. Someone got to them before I could."
The room spun around Maria, and she grabbed the edge of the table to steady herself. Tears welled up in her eyes as she sank onto the couch beside Jack. "No... no, this can't be true. Why? Who would do this to them?"
Jack placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I don't know. But I suspect it's connected to Xavier. He'll do anything to tie up loose ends, especially now that he's in charge."
Maria wiped her tears, her expression hardening. "He won't get away with this. But first, we need to get out of here. I can't let him control my life any longer."
---
The Plan
Jack nodded. "You're right. We don't have time to waste. Xavier's eyes are everywhere, and if he finds out we're planning something, we're as good as dead."
Maria stood and began gathering her belongings. "We need to leave tonight. I'll pack light—just the essentials. Where will we go?"
"I've arranged for a safe house outside the city," Jack said. "It's a few hours' drive, but once we're there, we can figure out our next move. I'll need to get my car and meet you at the alley behind your apartment in an hour."
Maria paused, clutching a small locket in her hand. It was her mother's—a keepsake she'd carried since childhood. "Jack... thank you. For everything. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Jack gave her a small smile. "You'd survive. You're stronger than you think, Maria. But we'll get through this together."
---
A Dangerous Goodbye
An hour later, Jack returned, his car parked discreetly in the shadowy alley. He knocked softly on Maria's apartment door.
Maria opened it, her bag slung over her shoulder. She looked pale but determined. "Is everything ready?"
Jack nodded. "Yeah. Let's move quickly."
As they stepped into the alley, the cool night air stung their skin. The city was eerily quiet, the faint hum of distant traffic the only sound. Jack scanned the surroundings, his hand resting on the concealed weapon at his side.
"Stay close to me," he said.
Maria followed, her footsteps light and cautious. As they reached the car, Jack opened the door for her and placed her bag in the backseat.
"Once we're on the highway, we'll be safer," Jack assured her, starting the engine.
Maria glanced out the window, her mind racing with thoughts of her parents, Vincent, and the dangerous man now running the nightclub. "Jack... do you think Xavier will come after us?"
Jack tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "He won't stop until he gets what he wants. But we'll be long gone by the time he realizes we're missing."
Maria nodded, her resolve strengthening. "Then let's not waste another second."
---
A Ray of Hope
As the car sped through the dark streets, Maria felt a flicker of hope for the first time in weeks. She didn't know what the future held, but with Jack by her side, she believed they might just have a chance to escape the clutches of Xavier's control.
But in the shadows of the city, unseen forces were already at work, and the path to freedom would prove far more treacherous than either of them anticipated.