I didn’t retreat. Instead, I shifted my weight to the balls of my feet, the way Commander Thorne had taught me. Ready for whatever might come at me.
“Back off, Maddox.” My voice grated like steel on steel. “Grief doesn’t give you the right to threaten me.”
Something flickered in his eyes. Maybe the realization I wasn’t the helpless woman he’d hoped I would be.
“This is on you.” His words cut like broken glass, each syllable precisely enunciated despite the tears streaming down his face, the sobs shaking his shoulders. “If you’d been watching… If you’d been the leader you seem to fucking think you are, he wouldn’t be dead.”
The accusation landed exactly where he’d aimed it, in the center of my chest, where guilt was already trying to eat its way through. But I forced myself to meet his gaze, even as horror crashed over me.
“I’m trying.” I was proud when my voice came out steady. “I’m doing the best I can. Blaming me won’t bring him back.”
“Yourbest?” Maddox’s voice climbed higher, cracking throughthe words. “Your best got my brother killed. He was the only family I had.”
It was not my fault, but I knew I’d never convince him of that.
I thought about Addie, murdered. Different circumstances, but the same devastating loss. The same crushing weight of guilt.
Kerralyn moved toward Maddox, her bag secure on her back. I hadn’t even thought to make sure we took it. Some leader I was if I didn’t think of ensuring we kept the food and water we’d need to survive.
Sympathy cratered her face. “Maddox, I know you’re?—”
“What?” He whirled on her with so much violence on his face that she stumbled backward. “You going to write this in your damn book too?” He pitched his voice higher to mimic. “Jaxon died because our fearless pretend leader couldn’t be bothered to make sure the group stayed fucking together. Well, fuck you. Fuck all of you.”
He crumpled back onto Jaxon, the rage bleeding out of him as fast as it had risen. His fingers were impossibly gentle as they stroked his brother’s sandy hair, smoothing it away from the now peaceful face. Tears spilled down his cheeks.
This was what pure heartbreak looked like.
Watching him made my throat close off. He wasn’t the angry man who’d been questioning my every decision. He was a brother who’d lost the most important person in his world.
“Enough, Maddox.” Lexie stepped forward, her dark eyes flashing. “This isn’t Isi’s fault. Kerralyn’s either.”
“Lexie’s right.” Derren moved to stand beside her. His easy manner had vanished, replaced by something harder. More protective. “Why in the world would he climb higher in the canopy on the chance he could collect honey?”
“Are you saying he’s to blame for this?” Maddox snarled.
“No, I’m saying that he didn’t stay with us, that going off alone was a poor decision on his part. We’re all trying to survive here. Kerralyn’s part of the group, and she’s been helpful. Isi’s kept us alive this long.”
His defense felt hollow. Because Maddox wasn’t wrong, was he? I’d thrust myself into the leadership role. And I’d failed twice now.
Maddox’s gaze burned into mine with so much intensity it scorched my skin. He said nothing, but he didn’t need to. The hatred radiating from him made my skin crawl. If he wanted to hurt me, he could do it easily. I couldn’t hold my guard up at all times. I had to sleep.
I steadied my breathing and lifted my chin. If nothing else, I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me afraid.
Without breaking eye contact, he worked Jaxon’s worn leather bracelet off his brother’s arm. He slipped it onto his own wrist, the expression on his face defiant. I suspected this was not only a claim but a promise. A vow. And the message was clear:I’ll make sure you pay.
Bryson watched the exchange before moving toward Maddox. He settled a hand on Maddox’s shoulder and squeezed.
“Don’t.” Maddox batted Bryson away without looking up. “Just…don’t.”
We stood in horrible silence. The bees had calmed, their movements sluggish as they returned to their hive in the canopy. But they felt like a warning. This place didn’t want us here. The jungle was making that abundantly clear.
“We can’t stay here long.” Bryson’s voice came out gentle but firm, the tone of someone who’d had to make hard decisions too many times in the past. “And we can’t…” He flicked his hand at Jaxon.
“Can’t what?” Maddox’s voice erupted from deep inside him.
“Bury him properly.” Bryson kept his words careful, respectful. “Too many roots. Too many rocks. No tools. And it’s too dangerous to stay out in the open like this.”
Maddox’s jaw worked as he processed this. “So we leave him. Like garbage.”
