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 theand worsepart 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.
His gaze was locked straight ahead, and I followed to see what captured his attention, a part of me afraid it would be my attacker, but what I saw wasn’t better.
The back door hung open.
Uh, that wasn’t good.
A cold, hollow feeling spread through my chest, settling in my stomach like ice water.
“I guess that’s how we know he got in,” Maddox muttered.
My mom was going to freak out. “That door was locked. I know it was. I checked it before Mom left. And the alarm was definitely set. It should have gone off the second he opened it.” Mom had the system installed when we moved in.
Maddox’s attention homed in on the kitchen beyond the doorway. “If something happens, if anyone else is in there, you fucking run. You don’t wait for me. You don’t try to help. You run to the Jeep, and you drive away. Keys are in the ignition.”
“Maddox—”
His gaze whirled to mine. “Promise me.”
I hesitated before whispering, “I promise.”
A lie. I had no intention of leaving him with a potential killer on the loose despite Maddox having a gun.
Maddox moved ahead of me, one hand holding the weapon low but ready. I stayed pressed almost to his back, feeling the heat radiating off him. Jade shifted in my hoodie, and I gave her a quick, reassuring pet as we walked into the kitchen. Everything looked the same. And yet…
The house didn’t feel like mine anymore.
It felt…wrong.
