Page 14 of Forbidden Fruit

RAYA

After spending the night with Maxwell, I woke up feeling both comforted and conflicted. The warmth of his body beside mine, the strength in his arms as they held me close, made me feel secure in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. But as much as I wanted to stay cocooned in this temporary sanctuary, I knew I had a decision to make—a decision that could change everything. One thing had become clear to me as I lay there, listening to the rhythm of Maxwell’s breathing: I was done being controlled. Done letting fear dictate my actions. I had come too far, overcome too much. I wasn’t that scared, broken girl anymore. I was stronger now, and it was time to start acting like it.

Carefully, I slipped out from under Maxwell’s arm, trying not to wake him as I gathered my clothes from the floor. I dressed quietly, my mind made up. I was going to confront Burt. Tell him I was done. Whatever the consequences, I’d face them head-on. I wouldn’t let anyone use my past against me anymore. And as for Maxwell…I wasn’t sure what the future held, but I knew I was falling for him. I could feel it in every fiber of my being, and I was done pretending otherwise.

Maxwell stirred as I finished dressing, his eyes blinking open as he reached for me. “Raya?” His voice was thick with sleep, a soft smile curving his lips. “Where are you going?”

I leaned down to kiss him, a brief, tender press of my lips against his. “I have to take care of something,” I said softly, brushing a hand through his tousled hair. “See you later?”

He frowned, his brows drawing together in concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I lied, forcing a smile. “Just…something I need to do. I’ll explain later, okay?”

He didn’t look convinced, but he nodded, his hand trailing down my arm to catch my fingers in his. “All right,” he said. “Your car is in the garage. I’ll have someone bring it around front whenever you’re ready,” he said, his voice still laced with sleep.

I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt twist in my stomach. I didn’t deserve his kindness, not after everything I’d done, everything I’d hidden from him. And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth, at least not right now.

As I slipped out of bed and gathered my clothes, I could feel Maxwell’s eyes on me, watching every movement. I dressed quietly, the morning air cool against my skin. He sat up, the sheets pooling around his waist, his bare chest exposed, and I had to force myself not to get lost in the sight of him.

I had to stay focused. I had to remember why I was doing this.

“I’ll call for your car,” he said, sliding out of bed and pulling on his pants. “Unless you’d like to stay for breakfast?”

I shook my head. “No, I should go.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

Maxwell didn’t push, just nodded and reached for his phone. A few moments later, he told me my car would be out front when I was ready.

***

The drive back to my apartment was a blur. The city rushed past me, a wash of colors and sounds that barely registered. All I could think about was the decision I had made. I wasn’t going to let anyone control me anymore, not Burt, not the FBI, not my past, and not my fear. I had to take back control of my life, no matter the cost.

When I got home, Trina was still asleep, her bedroom door slightly ajar. I slipped into the bathroom, trying to gather my thoughts, trying to figure out how to tell Burt that I was done spying on Maxwell. I splashed cold water on my face, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

By the time I finished getting ready, Trina was up, yawning as she shuffled into the kitchen. She ignored me at first and started making coffee, her movements slow and deliberate. I watched her, feeling a pang of guilt. She was my best friend, and I had dragged her into my mess when she didn’t deserve it.

“Morning,” she finally said glancing up at me, her voice rough from sleep. She poured herself a cup of coffee and offered me one. I shook my head, my stomach too knotted to even think about drinking anything.

“Morning,” I replied, my voice tight.

She gave me a curious look. “You okay?”

I nodded quickly, too quickly. “Yeah, just…I’ve got a lot to do today.”

She didn’t press further, but I could tell things were still off between us. I needed to get out of the apartment, needed to clear my head. I grabbed my phone and sent Burt a text, telling him I needed to see him urgently. His reply was quick, telling me to come by his office with whatever I had.

As I headed out the door, Trina called after me, “Have a nice day.”

I looked back at her and forced a smile, nodding as I walked out. I wasn’t sure if she meant it in a general sense or if she knew more than she was letting on. Either way, her words echoed in my mind as I drove to Burt’s office, the knot in my stomach tightening with every mile.

But when I got there, I was met with flashing lights, police cars blocking off the street, and a crowd of onlookers gathered around the entrance. My heart plummeted, dread pooling in the pit of my stomach. Something was wrong…Something wasverywrong.

I parked my car and got out, weaving through the crowd, trying to get closer. I could see the black and yellow crime scene tape, the officers keeping people back. My heart pounded in my chest, a sick feeling rising in my throat.

“What happened?” I asked a woman standing nearby, her face pale as she clutched her purse.

“They said…they said someone shot themselves,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Shot themselves? My mind raced, my thoughts colliding into each other in a frantic mess. No, it couldn’t be. Burt wouldn’t…he wouldn’t do that.

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