The elevator doors opened directly into darkness and silence.
Not empty silence.
Controlled silence.
The kind that belonged to Rege.
Maya stepped out slowly beside him, her fingers still wrapped loosely in his larger hand as the soft golden lights lining the private hallway reflected faintly against the black marble floors beneath them. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the far wall, exposing Manhattan glittering endlessly below like another universe entirely.
The city looked alive.
Restless.
Bright.
But Rege's floor felt untouched by any of it.
Still.
Cold.
Untouchable.
Rege unlocked the penthouse quietly before guiding her inside.
The moment Maya crossed the threshold, she paused instinctively.
Everything inside reflected him so perfectly it almost startled her.
Dark charcoal walls.
Black marble flooring.
Muted silver accents.
Low amber lighting softened the sharp architecture just enough to stop the space from feeling completely inhuman, but barely. The furniture looked expensive enough to belong inside a luxury exhibition, yet somehow still comfortable. Huge grey couches rested beneath towering windows overlooking the city while abstract paintings in darker shades decorated the walls without warmth or personality.
It was beautiful.
And lonely.
Maya felt that immediately.
Rege's hand remained against the small of her back as he guided her toward one of the enormous couches.
"Sit, Krasota."
His deep husky voice wrapped around her softly, pulling her from her thoughts.
Maya obeyed instinctively.
The cushions sank beneath her weight while Rege disappeared toward the kitchen without another word.
Maya glanced around again slowly.
Everything here looked untouched.
Perfectly arranged.
As though no one truly lived inside it.
The sound of quiet footsteps pulled her attention upward moments later.
Rege returned carrying two glasses.
Water.
And apple juice.
Without speaking, he handed her the water first before placing the apple juice carefully on the glass coffee table beside her.
Maya accepted it slowly.
"Thank you."
Rege nodded once.
Then his gaze settled on her again with that same unreadable intensity that always made her pulse feel strangely uneven.
"I will be back," he said softly. "It is your home too, Krasota."
Maya's breath caught faintly.
Home.
The word lingered somewhere deeper than it should have.
Before she could respond properly, Rege turned and disappeared toward the study.
Maya stared after him for several seconds before exhaling quietly.
Then she lifted the water glass and took a slow sip.
Cold.
Refreshing.
Grounding.
After finishing it, she reached for the apple juice before standing carefully from the couch.
Curiosity pulled at her immediately.
The penthouse stretched endlessly around her, larger than the one downstairs she shared with Tatiana and Adela. And that alone said something, because their own penthouse was already luxurious beyond normal standards.
But this—
This was something else entirely.
The kitchen looked like a futuristic showroom rather than somewhere someone actually cooked. Black countertops gleamed beneath hidden lighting while the steel appliances blended almost seamlessly into the walls. Everything looked untouched.
Organized.
Controlled.
Maya wandered farther.
The private gym nearly made her stop breathing for a second.
"Good Lord," she muttered under her breath.
The room was massive, lined with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and equipment so advanced she could barely identify half of it. Beyond it rested a private washroom and ensuite bathroom designed entirely in black stone and smoked glass.
Even the guest bathroom looked more luxurious than some hotel suites.
Maya shook her head softly in disbelief.
Their penthouse downstairs was beautiful.
But Rege's penthouse was on another level completely.
And somehow—
It still lacked warmth.
That realization followed her quietly as she moved back toward the living room. The expensive furniture softened the otherwise intimidating atmosphere slightly, but not enough to erase the feeling entirely.
Dark.
Grey.
Controlled.
Just like him.
Eventually, Maya's steps slowed outside the study.
The door remained slightly ajar.
And through the narrow opening—
She saw him.
Rege sat behind the enormous desk with his attention fixed entirely on the illuminated PC screen before him. The softness he carried around her disappeared almost completely here.
This version of him looked colder.
Sharper.
His jaw remained tight as he reviewed documents onscreen while several files rested neatly beside him. The dim lighting cast shadows across the angles of his face, emphasizing the stern expression pulling at his features.
No trace remained of the man who kissed her forehead like something fragile.
This was Rege.
Dangerous.
Untouchable.
Maya stared quietly from the doorway, unable to look away.
Then suddenly—
His eyes lifted.
Straight toward her.
As though he had sensed her presence long before actually seeing her.
And immediately—
Something softened.
Not dramatically.
But enough.
"Come, Krasota."
Maya swallowed lightly before stepping inside instinctively.
The study felt enormous.
Like a combination of a luxury library and a private office. Towering bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling while dark leather couches surrounded a modern fireplace built into black stone.
Even the chairs looked too comfortable to belong inside a study.
"Please sit."
Maya nodded slowly, suddenly aware of herself beneath his gaze.
She settled into the huge couch opposite the desk and fidgeted lightly with her fingers before clearing her throat awkwardly.
Then quickly looked elsewhere.
Anywhere except his eyes.
The bookshelves immediately caught her attention.
Hundreds of books lined the walls.
Maybe thousands.
Maya stood instinctively and approached them slowly, completely forgetting his presence for a moment.
Behind the desk, Rege's attention shifted entirely.
His focus disappeared from the documents before him as he watched her instead.
Watched the way her fingers brushed lightly over the spines.
Watched the wide smile slowly brighten her face.
She looked enchanted.
Completely unaware that he had stopped working altogether just to watch her exist inside his space.
Then suddenly—
Her fingers paused.
"Wait…"
Excitement flashed across her features immediately.
She pulled several books carefully from the shelves.
REAL by Kiera Cass.
CLAIMED by Alexa Riley.
A TOUCH OF CRIMSON by Sylvia Day.
Maya hugged the books against her chest before returning to the couch happily.
She settled comfortably beneath the warm lighting, tucked one leg beneath herself, and immediately opened CLAIMED without sparing Rege a glance.
Completely immersed within seconds.
Rege stared at her quietly.
Watched the way her lashes lowered while reading.
Watched the faint smiles that appeared and disappeared across her face.
Watched her forget the world around her entirely.
Beautiful.
The thought arrived instantly.
Dangerously naturally.
Something tightened inside his chest as he continued watching her.
There was something almost unbearably soft about Maya when she became absorbed in simple things she loved. Books. Cake. Movies. Tiny moments most people overlooked entirely.
And somehow—
Those moments affected him more than anything else ever had.
She looked peaceful.
Untouched.
Still capable of innocence despite everything life had already done to her.
Rege's gaze darkened slightly.
He would protect that softness.
That oblivious joy.
No matter what it cost him.
Eventually, he forced himself back toward work.
Hours passed quietly afterward.
The study remained wrapped in comfortable silence broken only by the faint sound of turning pages and occasional keyboard clicks. Outside the towering windows, Manhattan gradually transformed beneath the deepening evening sky as golden sunlight disappeared behind skyscrapers and city lights slowly illuminated the streets below.
Neither of them noticed how much time had passed.
—
Around seven o'clock, Tatiana finally returned downstairs.
The moment she entered the penthouse, her eyes immediately searched for Maya instinctively.
Only Adela and Cassie occupied the living room.
Cassie was seated in the couch watching TV while Adela scrolled lazily through her phone.
Tatiana removed her coat gracefully.
"Where is she?"
Her voice remained calm.
But Adela knew better.
Tatiana was anything but calm.
Cassie hesitated slightly.
"She left with M— Rege this afternoon," she corrected quickly. "She said she would return soon, but she is still not back."
Tatiana's expression remained unreadable.
But something sharpened subtly in her eyes.
Without another word, she retrieved her phone and dialed Maya's number.
Maya's ringtone echoed immediately from the living room couch.
Everyone looked down simultaneously.
Maya's phone rested forgotten between the cushions.
Tatiana stared at it silently.
Then sighed softly through her nose.
Of course.
She ended the call before turning away calmly without another word.
Cassie looked uncertainly toward Adela the moment Tatiana disappeared down the hallway.
"Is she okay?"
Adela chuckled softly.
"She will be."
Unlike everyone else, Adela understood something important already.
Rege looked terrifying.
But around Maya—
He was impossibly careful.
—
Upstairs, neither Maya nor Rege noticed the passing hours.
The study remained dimly lit and quiet as Rege finally finished reviewing the last contract file onscreen. He sent the completed documents directly to James before typing another brief message.
Do not disturb me again tonight.
The response arrived almost immediately.
Understood, Sir.
Rege shut the laptop before rubbing his temples slowly.
Fatigue lingered faintly behind his eyes.
Then instinctively—
His gaze moved toward Maya.
And stopped completely.
She had fallen asleep.
REAL rested open against her chest while her head leaned softly against the couch cushions. Loose strands of dirty blonde hair framed her peaceful face beneath the warm amber lighting.
Rege stared quietly.
Helplessly.
Then slowly—
A faint smile appeared.
Small.
Real.
Dangerously soft.
He stood carefully before crossing the room without making a sound.
The book slipped gently from Maya's chest into his hand. Rege placed it quietly on the desk before looking back toward her sleeping figure again.
For several long seconds—
He simply watched her.
Then finally, he bent down and slid one arm beneath her knees while the other wrapped securely around her back.
Maya stirred faintly as he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
But instead of waking—
She snuggled closer instinctively.
Her face buried deeper into the crook of his neck while her arms settled loosely around him.
And then—
She inhaled softly.
Even asleep.
Rege actually chuckled under his breath.
The sound surprised even him.
A faint smile appeared on Maya's sleeping face immediately afterward, as though she recognized him unconsciously.
Something deep inside his chest tightened painfully.
Having her this close did unspeakable things to his self-control.
Things he kept under brutal restraint constantly.
Rege carried her quietly upstairs toward the master bedroom.
The room mirrored the rest of the penthouse—dark colours softened by expensive luxury. Massive windows overlooked Manhattan glowing beneath the night sky while dim lighting stretched golden shadows across charcoal sheets and black walls.
He lowered her carefully onto the enormous bed.
But the moment he attempted to stand—
Maya's arms tightened firmly around his neck.
A soft unintelligible protest escaped her lips.
Rege froze completely.
Then laughed softly again.
Carefully, he settled beside her instead.
Immediately, Maya curled tightly against him, her face burying deep within the crook of his neck while her warm breath fanned across his skin.
Rege closed his eyes briefly.
Dangerous.
Everything about this felt dangerous.
His hand moved slowly against her back as he lowered his gaze toward her sleeping face.
Peace.
That was all he saw there.
Pure peace.
And suddenly—
He wanted to protect it forever.
The realization settled heavily inside him.
Protecting that peace became the most important thing in the world to him.
Not frightening.
Not unwelcome.
It settled quietly inside him like something inevitable.
Rege maneuvered carefully until he managed to remove his shirt one-handed.
The second his bare skin touched hers directly, Maya snuggled even deeper against him in her sleep.
His jaw tightened instantly.
Control.
He needed control.
With considerable difficulty, he retrieved his phone from his pocket and typed a brief message to Tatiana.
Maya is spending the night. Pardon me for any inconveniences caused.
Rege stared briefly at the message before setting the phone onto the bedside drawer quietly.
Beside him, Maya sighed softly and tightened her hold around him again.
And for the first time in years—
Rege felt something dangerously close to peace settle inside him too.
Outside the towering windows, Manhattan continued endlessly beneath the darkened sky.
The city never stopped moving.
Never stopped breathing.
But inside the penthouse—
Everything had gone still.
And wrapped within the quiet warmth of Maya sleeping safely against him, Rege finally allowed his eyes to close.
Sleep claimed him almost immediately.