“Not today.” It comes out more abruptly than I meant it to, and Max’s eyes widen a little.
“I can’t… cope with that,” I admit honestly. Not right now. I need space, time to think.
“I think tomorrow will be fine.” Max’s voice is subdued, but he tries to smile at me. “It’s been a long day.”
He points at a cord dangling from the ceiling.
“If there’s anything wrong, you can pull on that and one of us will come straight away. Doesn’t matter what it’s for, it just means that you need help. Use that until we can get you a phone.”
His smile grows a little at my mystified expression.
“Why would you get me a phone?” I ask.
“So you can contact us if you need us. Or anyone else if you want to. We have to be careful, but Bastien makes sure nobody can track us.”
My hand clenches on the back of the chair. “I don’t have anyone else to talk to.”
A hint of apology enters Max’s eyes, and he steps forward. When I hold up my hand, he shuts his eyes and stops.
“Ava…”
“I’d like to be alone now, please.” My words are soft, but there’s a test in them.
Max sighs, but he turns to leave. “Please use the cord if you need us. You should have everything you need here at least until tomorrow, but if there’s anything we haven’t thought of, or something you’d like, just pull it and we’ll be here in two seconds. I’ll come by in the morning to check on you.”
Nodding, I wait until he’s moved to the doorway. Lucien’s voice murmurs, and Max heads back in, setting a tray down on the small table. It’s filled with a sandwich, a banana, some cheese, and a large jug of water.
“Luc thought these would be easier on your stomach,” he explains. “You don’t have to have it if you don’t want anything, or if you want something else, we can make it for you—"
“Max,” I say quietly. “That was thoughtful. Please thank Lucien for me.” It must be getting later in the afternoon, and Max’s hair glints with strands of gold as we watch each other carefully in the fading light. I take a deep breath, gathering the words I want to say into something coherent.
“Thank you, Max. For the room. For… everything, really.” My words are fervent. This morning, I thought I was being shipped off to live out the last few weeks of my life under the eyes of my father, and now I’m here. With them.
His mouth turns down, those expressive brown eyes squeezing shut for a moment. “You don’t ever need to thank us, sweetheart,” he responds firmly. The vehemence in his words takes me back, but it also reassures me. I don’t want them to regret it.
I’m not sure how to respond, and Max must pick up on it. He gives me one last shy smile before he turns and disappears, closing the door softly behind him.
Alone. I’m completely, utterly alone.
I stare at the key on the table. With wobbling steps, I grasp it and move slowly to the door, pushing it into the lock and turning until I hear a reassuring ‘click’.
My breath leaves me in a whoosh. Turning around, I slump back against the door and slide to the ground. Pulling my knees up, I wrap my arms around them with difficulty, trying to ignore the bump in the way.
What do I do now?
ChapterTwenty-Three
Lucien
“Uncle Maaaax!”
Nash’s scream of excitement echoes through the kitchen as he flings himself at Max. Max laughs and grabs him into a bear hug, lifting him off the ground and making Nash squeal as he swings him around.
“Hot damn, kid, how much have you been eating?” Max scolds him with a grin.
Nash giggles. “Lots. I ate all of your dinners while you were gone!”
“I can see that.” Groaning theatrically, Max swings Nash onto his hip as Leah barrels into him with a sniffle, wrapping her arms around him.
