29. Mallory #2
He was coming after me far quicker than I would have liked.
“Shit.” The word came out of me as a sob.
If I could get to my neighbors, I might have a chance.
My lungs burned, the world blurring into shadows and the pale slash of moonlight through the trees.
I couldn’t see more than a few feet ahead, couldn’t tell if I was running toward safety or into a trap—
A hand slammed into my back.
I pitched forward, a scream ripping from my throat as I hit the ground again, this time harder.
The air left my lungs in a violent rush, stars bursting behind my eyes.
He was on me before I could recover. A hand fisted into my shirt and yanked me onto my back as he straddled me.
“Relax. I just want to talk, kid. Don’t make me hurt you.
” He had a deep, rich voice, a bit gruff, but I didn’t recognize it, nor the eyes glaring at me through the mask, and I got the inkling he would take pleasure in hurting me.
It was the gleam in his eyes, daring me to test him.
My chest heaved. “This doesn’t feel like much of a friendly conversation.”
His fingers cinched around my arm as he dragged me up and shoved me back into the tree, bark scraping against my spine. “Where’s Mara?” he demanded.
My stomach dropped.
Mom?
What did he want with my mom?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I snapped, twisting against him. As if I was going to give up my mom. I would never.
His hand shot up, catching my jaw, forcing my face forward. “Don’t play stupid with me. Where is your slut of a mother?”
Was he someone from her past? A family member from one of the guys she’d killed? It was possible. I couldn’t think of another reason why he’d break into our house looking for my mom. It frightened me more that he’d been able to track us to Elmwood.
“Where is she?”
“Go to hell.” I spat in his face. Perhaps not the smartest move, but I was doing my darndest to keep a level head.
He slammed my head into the tree, and white-hot pain exploded through my skull as I struggled to stay conscious. His grip pressed painfully into my chin line. “You’ve got her mouth,” he muttered. “And no respect. Same as her.”
My pulse spiked, and I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood. The coppery taste touched my tongue, but the pain helped me focus. So he knew her, but how?
His attention shifted just for a second, detecting something in the trees, and it was the opening I needed.
I moved.
Fast.
My hand shot back, fingers closing around the knife tucked at the waistband of my shorts. I wrenched it free and drove it backward with everything I had.
It sank deep into the flesh of his right shoulder. His roar ripped through the night as his grip broke.
I tore free.
And ran.
This time I didn’t look back.
Branches whipped my face as I plunged into the trees, the darkness swallowing me whole. My breaths came in harsh, ragged bursts, my legs screaming, but I didn’t slow.
Behind me, I heard him barrel through the brush, coming after me. I risked a glance over my shoulder, straining through the night to see, and smacked into a wall of muscle that appeared out of nowhere.
God, how many are there?
Strong arms caught me, keeping me firmly rooted against their chest as I squirmed, raising the knife and preparing to fight for my life, until I heard my name.
“Hales.”
It was the hiss of my last name that halted my movements more than it was the sound of his voice. Everything inside me stuttered, and I froze, blinking back the haze of ingrained survival instincts until they slowly faded.
Maddox?
The blade fell from my fingers, and I launched myself into his arms. Hearing his voice almost broke me, my knees trembling. His arms wrapped around me. “Where is he?” he demanded.
“I—I don’t know,” I stammered, twisting in Maddox’s hold, my head whipping around to scan the woods.
Maddox’s grip bit into my shoulders as he crowded into my space, his breath hot against my cheek. His eyes were wild, burning with a fury I’d never seen before. “You’re bleeding.” The pad of his thumb brushed over my lip. “Why are you bleeding?”
“I think I bit my lip.”
His eyes darkened as if he didn’t believe me. “Go back and get in my car,” he ordered, one arm shooting out to push me back, positioning himself in front of me.
“I’m not leaving you,” I argued. I couldn’t. The thought of him alone in the forest with someone who might be from my mom’s past sent a fresh wave of terror through me. I couldn’t let Maddox get hurt. Calling him had seemed like the right thing when I thought it was just a burglar, but now…
This was so much more dangerous.
Not just for the guy I stabbed, but for me…for Mom…but mostly for Maddox.
His head snapped toward me, irritation flashing hot in his light-green eyes. “Hales—”
“I’m not leaving,” I repeated, firmer this time, planting my feet even though my entire body was still shaking from adrenaline, despite every rational part of my brain screaming at me to run, to hide, and take him with me. “I hurt him, I think. I’m sure he’s taken off by now.”
Our eyes locked, green meeting mine with protective intensity. “I need to make sure and can’t be responsible for what you see.”
My breath caught as he reached under his sweatshirt, his hand moving to his waistband, and pulled something out.
Is that a…
Gun?
Not just any gun.
My eyes locked onto it, recognition clicking into place in a way that felt disturbingly natural. It was a Glock 19, but it had been modified with a custom grip, extended magazine, and a silencer. The weapon sat like an extension of him. Clearly, he was familiar with it. A little too comfortable.
“Where did you get that?” I asked, my gaze narrowing.
“Are you really surprised to see me with a gun?” he shot back, glancing over his shoulder at me, eyebrows raised.
I sucked on the corner of my lip, still tasting blood, and shook my head. “No.” I knew he was part of a crew. I just didn’t know the rules of a crew…of his crew. That part of the underground world was new to me.
Maddox guided me out of the woods and back toward the house, his posture transforming from the boy who’d brought me matcha to something I recognized, something I’d grown up with…a killer.
The safety clicked off as he moved. “Stay close,” he murmured. “If I tell you to run, you run. Understand?”
All I could do was nod as I took in this side of Maddox, unable to decipher how it made me feel, but I had a hunch, and most people would probably be confused or revolted, but for me, this dangerous side to a person didn’t frighten me, not like it should.
We moved along the side of the house, his steps far stealthier than mine. The night seemed thicker, the moon hidden by the towering trees. Every rustle of leaves made my muscles tense, until…
A soft meow.
Holy shit. Please let that be her.
I whipped around just as a small gray shape darted out from the bushes near the foundation, moving low and fast.
“Jade—” Relief hit me straight in the heart.
The little kitten trotted straight toward me, eyes glowing as she let out another cry. She might be scared and confused, but she was alive.
I scooped her up instantly, pressing her small body against my chest. She was trembling, her heart racing against my palm. “You’re okay,” I whispered. “Oh my god, you’re okay. I’m sorry.”
Maddox’s gaze flicked to me, appearing at my side with a not-to-pleased frown. “Hales, damn it. I told you to stay close.”
“What? Did you just want me to leave her out here? I’m not heartless.” I tucked Jade safely back into the front pocket of my hoodie. Her claws pricked through the fabric, but I didn’t care.
“No, just foolish, which will get you hurt…or worse.”
“Can we not talk about the and worse part just now?”
I swore his eyes rolled.
We rounded the back corner of the house, and Maddox came to a halt, causing me to nearly run into him. Again. It was becoming an annoying habit, barreling into this man.