Elias didn’t waste a second. As soon as he got the location from his contact, he ordered the car and told Maya to come with him. One of his trusted bodyguards joined them, riding quietly in the front seat. 

The tension inside the car was heavy. Maya clutched her phone tightly in her hand, staring out the window with worry carved into every line of her face.

“She’s just a child,” she whispered. “Why would anyone…?”

“They wanted to hurt you,” Elias said softly, not taking his eyes off the road. “Someone framed you, Maya. We’ll prove it. But first, we have to get her back.”

The car slowed as...