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.
