“You abandoned me in the middle of the night! You left me alone for five years!” Maya hissed as he lifted his hand to touch where her slap had left its mark. “I left to protect you! I left because I love you!” Nathaniel protested in a futile attempt to defend himself. —————————————————— Five years ago, Nathaniel De La Rue found love and a new life in Arlington City, but his past soon caught up with him and forced him to leave behind everything he had built, including his beloved Maya Miller. Now, Nathaniel is done running. He must confront his past to protect those that matter the most to him. After fighting for his right to live and accepting his rightful place in the De La Rue family, he finally returns to Arlington City. However, upon his return, Nathaniel finds that his world is not the same as he left it. Maya, the woman he loves, is engaged to another man. His best friend now works for the man who stole Maya from him. Furthermore, the woman who had cared for Nathaniel like a mother is being abused by her husband. It’s as if he has to start from scratch. But things have changed. This time he has the De La Rue Family by his side.
"Bella go home," Maya hissed. "How did you even get in here?"
"She came here to prove a point," Nathaniel said as he observed Maya's sister.
Maya was suddenly worried that Nathaniel was considering letting her little sister work for him. She didn't want her sister involved in the dangerous world of the Mafia.
Maya pulled on Nathaniel's collar, bringing him down to eye level with her, his 187 cm to her 165 cm.
"You will not let her join," Maya hissed.
Nathaniel smiled and shook his head as he kissed Maya on the lips.
"Go home, Belle," Nathaniel said dismissing Maya's sister.
"You have to see the value in my skills!" Belle insisted.
"I do see it," Nathaniel said, much to Maya's surprise.
"What?!" Maya was shocked that Nathaniel would acknowledge her sister's skills, he was supposed to be discouraging the young woman, not encouraging her.