Chapter 45
Max forced himself to stop and listen.
Wind brushed through the branches overhead. Somewhere in the distance, a limb creaked. Snow shifted beneath his boots as he adjusted his stance.
Then . . . footsteps.
They were faint and uneven. But they were definitely footsteps.
Max’s focus instantly sharpened. He leaned forward, angling his head to catch the direction. Then he began moving again—slower this time, more deliberate. Each step was placed carefully to minimize noise.
He followed the sound, the rhythm.
There were two sets. One was heavier, more purposeful.
The other was unsteady.
His jaw tightened. That had to be Hadley.
She was hurt.
The thought hit hard, sending a surge of urgency through him that he had to fight to keep under control. Rushing now would only make noise. Noise could get her killed.
Stay smart. Stay quiet.
Max crept forward, weaving between the trunks. As he did, his gaze scanned ahead even as his ears stayed locked on the sounds.
This was his fault.
The realization pressed in whether he wanted it to or not.
Hadley was out here—injured and running for her life—because of him.
Because he hadn’t listened to that quiet voice in the back of his mind. The one that had told him something about Kendra wasn’t right.
She’d been charming at first. Easy to talk to. Beautiful and fun to be around. Attentive.
He’d be lying if he said that hadn’t caught his attention. Hadn’t flattered him.
But even then something had felt off—something in her expression and mannerisms.
He’d ignored the feeling until he couldn’t anymore. Until he’d realized the two of them would never work—could never work—and he’d ended things.
He’d thought that was the right call.
Now he saw just how wrong everything had gone.
Max exhaled slowly and forced the thoughts aside. Regret wouldn’t help Hadley.
Action would.
He kept moving, his steps careful and controlled as he closed the distance.
The sounds grew clearer. Closer.
Then he heard voices.
Max froze.
That was Kendra.
Her words cut through the trees, sharp and erratic, carrying farther than she probably realized.
“You really think he’s coming for you?” she was saying, her tone edged with something unstable. “He doesn’t care about you the way you think he does.”
Max’s stomach tightened.
Hadley didn’t respond—at least not loud enough for him to hear.
Kendra’s voice rose again, more frantic now. “You ruined everything! Everything was fine before you showed up!”
Max’s pulse kicked higher. That wasn’t even remotely true.
Kendra was unraveling. That made her even more dangerous than before.
He shifted his weight forward, inching closer and using the shadows and trees to his advantage. His gaze strained against the darkness, trying to make out shapes ahead.
He needed eyes on them, needed to know exactly where Hadley and Kendra were before he made a move.
Kendra’s voice dropped again, lower now and almost conversational—but no less unhinged. “You should’ve stayed away from him.”
Max’s jaw clenched. He didn’t have much time.
If she kept spiraling like this, it was only a matter of mere seconds before she did something reckless and final.
He had to get to Hadley before Kendra did something he couldn’t undo.
The ground began to slope upward.
At first, Hadley barely registered it. She was too focused on putting one foot in front of the other, on ignoring the pain in her ankle, on forcing her lungs to keep working despite the burn.
But then the incline steepened.
The trees thinned.
And then a sheer wall of rock rose in front of her, stretching higher and wider than she could see.
Hadley’s breath caught. No . . .
She staggered forward, reaching out as if maybe—just maybe—there was a way up she hadn’t seen.
There wasn’t.
The rock face was too steep. Too wide. Too slick.
Too unforgiving.
She couldn’t climb it.
Especially not like this. Not injured. Not in the dark.
She couldn’t run to the left or right either. Rocky outcropping stretched there, blocking her in.
Panic surged.
She was trapped.
Hadley tried to tune out Kendra as she yelled behind her.
She turned, her pulse roaring in her ears.
And she froze.
Kendra stood several yards away, partially framed by the trees. She looked almost serene as a swath of moonlight hit her.
Her gaze held steady on Hadley, a quiet—almost smug—confidence there that hadn’t been present before.
The gun rested in her hand, aimed directly at Hadley.
She had nowhere left to run.
The realization settled in, heavy and absolute.
This was it. And Kendra knew it.
Kendra took a slow step forward, the snow crunching softly beneath her boots. “I told you that you weren’t going to get away.”
Hadley forced herself to stand her ground, even as every instinct screamed at her to keep moving, to keep fighting.
“You don’t have to do this.” Her voice sounded steadier than she felt. “Kendra, you need help. Serious help.”
“You’re the one who needs help.” She raised the gun. “I just need Max.”
The words hung in the air, cold and final.
Hadley’s breath hitched as the barrel aligned with her chest.
Kendra’s gaze locked onto hers, something dark and eager flickering beneath the surface. “I’m going to enjoy this.”
Time seemed to slow.
Hadley’s heart pounded, her thoughts racing, searching for anything—any way out—but there was nothing left.
No escape.
No distraction.
Only the woman in front of her and the weapon in her hand.
A faint sound came from somewhere behind Kendra.
Kendra’s head tilted, her attention flickering.
Then someone stepped out of the darkness.
Hadley’s breath caught.
Max. It was Max. He was here!
He moved into the open, his presence solid and steady in a way that made something inside Hadley’s chest loosen.
His gaze never left Kendra.
His voice was calm and certain as he said, “You said you need me? I’m right here.”