Nik's POV

It took us about an hour to track down the car after a series of twists and turns; they had taken her to the outskirts of the city.

I knew Sakuzi had a lot of properties but I didn't know he had one just at the outer edge of the city, I thought he was within.

The parcels of land stretched for miles and we had to cleave our way through poor and dusty tracts lighted with electricity.The lands were uncultivated, featuring wild flowers and tall bushes and possibly wild rodents currently rustling the bushes.

Soon enough we arrived at the main entrance and as expected, were locked out by a huge intimidating gate and a heavy patrol.

My men came out and encompassed me, ensuring my safety as I stepped out of the car.

Almost immediately, the remote operated gate was opened and two armed men stepped towards us.

"Identify yourself !" They roared at us with a condensing tone that made Judy's eyes flash with anger .

"How dare you !" He tried to charge at them but I held him back and warned him with my eyes.

I glanced up at them " Tell Sakuzi that Niklaus Spencer honours his invitation "

The both stared at each other before communicating into the device strapped to the back of their ears.

After what seemed like it lasted an eternity, I got a reply that made me see red.

"Sakuzi says he's too tired to entertain unwanted guest at the moment, you should come back tomorrow "

At once I fired two shots into the air causing them to grab and point their guns defensively at me but my men shielded me with their body while pointing their weapons at every visible enemy.

I gritted through my teeth " Tell your boss it's not a request but an order "

"Sakuzi takes no order from the likes of you - " One of them was still saying when his partner tapped him on the shoulder and muttered something into his ears.

With a huge scowl on his face, the fool glared at me while I gloated at him in return, I could already tell what happened ; Sakuzi ordered me in.

He tore his ugly gaze from me and turned to face a tiny, almost invisible camera built into the huge gate and waved.

Seconds later, the gate automatically opened and he mumbled under his breath." Go in "

I slid back into my car and Judy drove into the compound accompanied by my men.

We pulled up at the driveway and stepped out just as another set of Sakuzi's men intercepted us.

It was already late in the night and our source of light was from the electricity that lit up the place.

"You all can't go in " A stoice looking guy dressed in a suit amongst three others, said particularly to me.

I lifted my brows, amused mirthlessly "So how many exactly am I supposed to bring along? "

He replied at once with an unreadable expression " Choose five of your best men and seven if you're not confident enough "

I ignored his sarcasm and made eye contact with Judy as he went ahead to select the guards he thought would be suitable and strong enough to protect me, in case things go south.

The stoic guy nodded his head before requesting "Guns please "

"No way " Judy protested.

"That's the only way you would be able to see sakuzi tonight " The stoic looking guy continued.

Judy faced me with a clenched fist "Sir Niklaus, tell me you're seriously not considering… ."

" Don't worry, we'll do it, " I interjected, causing Judy to sigh in disbelief.

We offered them our weapons and they did a body search before letting us go.

I gritted my teeth and took all the shame. "It was all for Maya " I chanted inwardly.

"Alright then, you all need to go - "

"What's the assurance I won't be shot in the head as soon as we step into the house with you "

The stoic guy was taken aback by my question but he was quick to reply " Sakuzi wants the girl, not you at the moment "

I felt like someone took a knife and stabbed me in the chest upon hearing his comment. Who knows the kind of torture he has put Maya through.

This was all my fault, I knew the kind of background I was from and yet I involved myself with her - but I would correct everything soon.

Judy's jaw ticked as our eyes met but I understood his frustration, he was my shadow guard and his sole responsibility was to keep me out of harm's way.

But I haven't made his job easy for a while now ; firstly, I had ordered him to keep Maya safe, now everything I've ever done since the past hours was to put myself in more danger.

No one trusted Sakuzi since mob leaders weren't exactly associated with honesty. But I had no choice, Maya's safety was all that mattered.

She was probably all alone and scared out of her mind in Sakuzi's prison, who knew if her catatonia had relapsed again?

Sakuzi's men led us into the large mansion and Judy reluctantly resumed his duty.

He and his men were alert and made sure I was properly protected.They surrounded me as we walked, using their body as a sort of human shield against sneak attacks or snipers.

Taking in the large and almost endless hallways, I knew if I planned an attack on sakuzi, conquering this place would be quite difficult yet not impossible; I would need enough spies.

Unlike my organization, infiltrating Sakuzi's horde was almost mission impossible.The Sakuzi clan has existed for quite some time and has a firm grip on its members.

So when it comes to hierarchy, the Sakuzi clan is a tier above us but unlike them, we have quite an influence in the government and the underworld.

"Stop" Stoic face ordered,he glanced up and said to me "Only one person can join you from henceforth "

"Alright " I nodded and gestured to the grim Judy.

Immediately, the doors to a large dining room was opened and they led the way.

I hardly stepped into the room when I froze, was I seeing wrong?

Sakuzi and Maya seem to be in a deep discussion cause they didn't even notice our presence.

During our journey here, I conjured this moment in my head without stopping but none of my imagination seems close to what I was seeing right now.

I had imagined her tossed to the cold floor, battered and bruised all over or tied to a pole while being tortured repeatedly.

But each time I thought of any gory scenario, my heart would tighten painfully and I felt like I was running out of breath.

Thankfully, she looked nothing but comfortable and all I wanted was to run to her and embrace her but I couldn't.

Sakuzi was watching, showing my fondness of her wouldn't do her any good but put her in more danger.

He was looking for my downfall and if he knew Maya made me soft and vulnerable, he would surely strike - I had to tread carefully here.

"Boss " Stoic face bowed and attracted Sakuzi's attention.He lowered his head and whispered something into his ears - probably announcing my presence.

Sakuzi turned around and our gaze connected - Maya's included but I didn't return her stare.

"Ho ho, the mighty Niklaus decides to visit after all " He guffawed but I was not in the mood for pleasantry.

"You've aged more than the last time I saw you " I told him, not hiding the sarcasm in my tone and walked towards the dining table.

Judy was not allowed to follow me, he was told to join the rest of sakuzi's men guiding the inside of the room.

"Yeah, that's right, " Sakuzi acknowledged "That last time should be exactly after my son's death "

"You have two sons and several illegitimate ones across the globe, yet you can't seriously let go of one? Aren't you too petty? "

Sakuzi worked his jaw and his expression remained the same but I heard a derisive snort from the side and my gaze moved to her.

Brows furrowed together, I realized she was in a different dress and my fist curled up - they couldn't have done anything to her right?

But I knew Maya, if indeed they had violated her she wouldn't be this calm, probably hysterical by now.

Wait a minute, Maya was calm, very calm, like a tiger watching its prey, giving it a false sense of security while waiting for the best time to strike.

It was totally unlike her usual behavior, the Maya I knew was quite impulsive and judging from today's event, she would have left already If she had safely made it home.

Did she retract her claws because she was scared? I looked at her and couldn't find any bruise nor injury on her body, if anything Sakuzi treated her quite well - like a guest instead of an abductee.

Why was sakuzi doing this? What was he hoping to get from treating her well? Turn her against me? Give her a false sense of security before he kills her?

But my thought was shattered when I saw Maya gulp down a bottle of wine and my mouth dropped open.

No wonder, she was so calm ; she was drunk and let her alter ego take over - things just got worse.

Maya was a good drinker but once drunk, it's another story put together. Once bombed , Maya becomes this totally different person and I was speaking from experience.

Initially I thought she had a split personality but after I had a secret checkup done on her, it turns out it was just her drunken behavior.

Once wasted, she becomes this daredevil and a total pain in the ass and it wasn't good for the situation she was in.