Mara pov
I sat at the table. My heart was thumping. I grabbed a pen and a notebook. I closed my eyes and searched my memory. If this man was called a ghost it is actually because nobody has been able to figure out his real name. I had spent years reading about the city's dark side. I thought about the fires. I thought about the names.
Then, I remembered. 2018. A massive fire at the Smart Tech company. Seven people in a meeting. Five died. The owner, Ryan Smart, survived. The news said it was an accident, but one witness had mentioned an ID card found near the scene. The name "Lorenzo."
But I wasn't sure, so I looked round the room for any clue but it was blank. "Damn it", I sat on the ground squeezing the sheet of paper in my palm. "Every time you spend doing nothing, costs her life." He said.
He was standing this time. And I could see his full body, my eye caught a little silver necklace with a "J" symbol. For a man this smart he wouldn't use his name to initiate a necklace so I knew very well his name wasn't "Jacob or James." But then again my eye locked on the chain and it hit me, the letter "J" if turn the other side can also be the letter "L" in a kind of way.
"Stop staring," he snapped at me, then walked back to his seat.
"Lorenzo!" I shouted.
He flinched. His thumb stopped moving. He looked up, and for the first time, he looked surprised. "Who is Lorenzo?"
"You are," I said. I stood up, feeling a rush of power. "You are the man from that fire. You didn't just happen to be there. You burned it down because you have something on Ryan Smart. He murdered scandal years ago, and the media covered it up. You seem to have a beef with him.."
The room went silent. Lorenzo stood up slowly. "I know you need Ryan Smart for something," I said. "I can help you get the rest of the details to finish him. But you have to save my sister. Now."
Lorenzo looked at me for a long beat. His eyes were unreadable, but I saw a flicker of something new in them. Respect? Or maybe just amusement.
"Interesting," he murmured. "You got my name on the first try. I'm impressed, Mara."
"Save her," I said. My eyes flicked to the clock. 11:59 AM.
He pulled out a sleek, black phone and made a quick call. He didn't even wait for the person to say hello. "Move the girl in Sacred Heart Room 402 to the private wing at St. Jude's. Use the back entrance. No records. Pay the full balance."
He hung up and looked at me. "She's safe. For now."
He turned and walked out of the room. The heavy door clicked shut, leaving me alone in the silence. I collapsed into the chair, my body feeling light.
I woke up the next morning on the leather sofa. Sunlight was streaming through the high windows, but the room still felt cold.
"You're awake," a voice said.
I sat up fast, my heart racing. It wasn't the Ghost. It was a younger man with a friendly face and kind eyes. He was wearing a casual suit and holding a tablet.
"Who are you?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
"My name is Cemal," he said with a small smile. "I'm Lorenzo's cousin. He's out taking care of business."
"I want to see my sister," I demanded, standing up. My legs were still a bit shaky. "Is she okay? Did he really move her?"
Cemal tapped his tablet and spoke to the empty air. "Computer. Link to St. Jude's Private Wing. Room 101."
A blue light flickered in the center of the room. A 3D hologram appeared, glowing softly. It was a hospital room, but it looked like a five-star hotel. There were fresh flowers, a huge TV, and a view of the city.
Lina was sitting up in a bed that looked way too big for her. She was wearing new silk pajamas and holding a box of expensive-looking chocolates. She looked better than she had in months.
"Lina!" I cried, reaching toward the blue light. My fingers went right through her image.
"Mara? Is that you?" Lina asked. She was looking at a camera on her side. "I feel so much better! The doctors here are so nice. They gave me the medicine already."
"Oh thank God," I whispered, tears hitting my eyes.
"And Mara... your boyfriend is so sweet," she giggled, picking up a piece of chocolate. "I didn't know you were dating someone so handsome."
My heart stopped. "My... what?"
Lorenzo stepped into the hologram. He was standing right by her bed, leaning against the railing. He wasn't wearing his mask anymore. He had a sharp jawline and hair that was perfectly styled. He looked like a prince, not a monster. He looked at the camera and smiled at me—a slow, teasing smile.
"Hi, darling," he said. His voice was smooth as honey. "I told you I'd look after her while you were busy at work."
I flinched. He was holding a small, handmade doll. He handed it to Lina, and she hugged it tight. He was right there. He could hurt her with one hand. It was a warning.
"Lina, I'll call you later," I said, my voice trembling. "I have to go."
The image vanished into thin air. The room felt empty again. My phone buzzed in my hand. It was a text from a number with no name.
The first task is waiting. A car is outside. Don't be late, darling.
I looked at Cemal. He just shrugged and pointed toward the door. I walked out, my head spinning. I had saved my sister, but I had sold myself to a man who played with lives like they were toys.