Two weeks Later...

Valerie's POV

"Why is there a damn conference in the middle of semester break?" Tanya whined for the umpteenth time as we made our way toward the auditorium, "Who arranges these things?" She grumbled, "I'd like to have a chat with them."

I tried to ignore her, having no energy whatsoever for negativity at the moment, I've had enough on my plate as it is. Clutching my notebook to my chest, Tanya pushed open the back door, mumbling more curses under her breath as we stepped inside. My eyes widened slightly as I took in the hall's interior, noticing how it was crowded, full to the brim. Damn, we were late.

As we advanced further, I took full notice of our surroundings; the room was a strikingly modern and expansive space, with rows of sleek, blue seats arranged in an amphitheater style. The seats ascended in neat, curved tiers, providing a clear view of the stage from every angle.

The walls were a warm, muted tone, lined with vertical light panels that gave the room a soft inviting glow. Small tables with microphones and water bottles were set up at the front, indicating a formal and well-organized event. Despite the spacious design, the room was packed, with every seat occupied and a dense throng of students standing by the walls at the back and squeezed between the rows of seats.

The air buzzed with hushed conversations and the shuffling of feet as latecomers tried to find a place to stand like we were.

Lost as were to go next, Tanya and I joined the group of students at the back, pressing ourselves against the wall for support. The dim lights suddenly turned off, plunging the room into near darkness except for the bright glow of the presentation screen at the front. The murmur of the crowd quieted as a well-known professor, whose work we had all studied in various courses, stepped onto the stage and started to speak.

My nonexistent claustrophobic tendencies sprang to life, as shoulders pressed into mine left and right, and feet stepped over mine as students tried to get closer and watch. The air around me grew heavier, the oxygen seeming to vanish. Groaning in annoyance, I curled my hand over Tanya's and pulled her alongside me away from the crowd.

My gaze fell on the left side, where I spotted a clearer, better space we could settle in.

To get there, we had to weave between the back two rows, where students were seated. Mumbling a couple of excuse-me's as we temporarily blocked the view, we moved further toward our destination. Someone stood up midway, blocking us as he started to take off his hoodie, apparently the temperature in the hall rising. I shot him a glare as he took forever to finish, my frustration mounting.

I was about to grumble and whine but then, fingers curled over my wrist, and abruptly pulled me. I crashed right into someone's lap with a loud yelp. My eyes widened, instincts flaring as I immediately elbowed my supposed attacker in the stomach before I quickly used the back of my hand to slam him in the face.

"Goddammit, Valerie," Max grumbled, groaning in pain as his upper body moved forward, his hand leaving my wrist and clutching into his stomach to where I ever so harshly elbowed him.

My eyes grew even wider, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Cole, sitting next to Max, looked at me with absolute terror, "Woah," he mumbled lowly, scooting away from us and sticking to the very end of his seat.

I looked at Max horrifiedly, "Oh my god, I am so sorry," I mumbled, my hand going to his face and pulling it up to see if I did any damage, "Are you okay?"

His face twisted in discomfort as he straightened himself, glaring at me, "Well, let's hope I am not internally bleeding at the moment," He said, being overdramatic per usual.

I swallowed hard when I realized how I'd attacked him right at his kidney and my punch to his face left him with a small tiny cut over his nose. Oh dear god...

Instinctively, I cupped his face, my thumb brushed the little cut I caused, and my expression twisted into regret, "I am sorry," I mumbled again, wishing the ground would open up and suck me in. Why do I have to be like this?

He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer into his lap and settling me there, all while still glaring at me. My eyes fell onto his arm and my eyebrow raised, my hands left his face, "Let go," I grumbled, ready to elbow him yet again. God, how can he make me flip a hundred eighty in mere seconds?

"There is no other place for you to sit," He stated, "Stay here."

"On your freaking lap?" I hissed at him, trying not to grab more attention than we already did.

He nodded, "Yeah, what's wrong with that," He said, ever so casually.

Tanya popped her head closer, reminding me that she existed and was right next to me before this mad boy pulled me to his lap, "Uh, hey," She waved her hand ever so shyly, "Valerie told me how you guys helped me the other day," Tanya started, gazing between Max and Cole, "I just wanted to say thank you, I really appreciate it."

Cole rolled his eyes at her, ever so disinterested, "I didn't want to help, they forced me," He said.

Tanya's eyebrows pulled closer as she looked at him, and she nodded her head, "Uh, still, thank you."

"You almost threw up on me, you know that?"

Cole's tone and words added more confusion to Tanya's expression and she shook her head, "Uh, sorry, I guess," she mumbled, taken aback by his exaggerated attitude.

He turned away from her, unbothered as he looked at Max, "I will try to sleep, wake me up when this thing is over," He said, crossing his arms over his chest, pressing the back of his head against the seat, and closing his eyes.

Tanya shot him a glare before she looked at me, "I saw the girls sitting at the right section," She said, pointing in that direction, "I will squeeze myself next to them, will you stay here?"

Before I could open my mouth and speak, Max tightened his arm around my waist, "Yeah, she will," He answered on my behalf and I didn't feel bad for hurting him anymore.

Tanya gave him a nod and a small smile before she waved me goodbye and walked in that direction, "No escaping me this time," Max mumbled behind me, forcing me to whirl my head and face him.

My throat bobbed as the weight of his underlying words sank in. I had been running from him for the past two weeks and he noticed it. I conjured up excuses to avoid our meetings, delaying my responses to his calls and texts, and always hiding behind the guise of work. I was just trying to gather myself, still struggling to make sense of David's message.

Too many theories, too many unwanted questions, doubts, and fears swirled in my chest like a storm.

Could it be...could he have figured it all out?

I briefly told him about David that day, I never delved into details, but if he dug a bit deeper, he would have uncovered it all.

David's family was very well-known; any incident involving them was headline news.

My gaze roamed across Max's face, searching his eyes for any sign of awareness. Does he know? Is it possible? Did he try to do something?  I mean, why else would David threaten to hurt him?

The intensity of the moment washed over me, emotions crashing like waves against my fragile composure. My heart raced, thudding heavily in my chest. The air between us felt charged, thick with unspoken words and the weight of all that was hidden.

His eyes, soft and hard, discerning and puzzled, seemed to hold secrets of their own as they searched mine for answers. I tried to decipher the depth of his gaze, looking for clues, for any hint of knowledge.

"Why are you avoiding me, Valerie?" He asked, ever straightforwardly.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat, "I wasn't avoiding you," I mumbled, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue.

His eyebrow arched, a silent challenge, as if mocking my attempt, "Did something happen?" he pressed, his gaze unyielding.

I shook my head, forcing my gaze to flicker back to the professor at the far end of the hall, pretending to listen to him, "Just been busy with work, told you," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. My words felt hollow, a flimsy barrier against the truth.

"Valerie—" He tried again, his voice softer, urging me to look back at him.

"Can we talk about this later?" I cut him off, a hint of desperation in my tone. I opened my notebook, grasping my pen so tightly my knuckles turned white, scribbling down anything my ears could catch, anything to avoid facing him.

Max didn't push further after that, retreating into silence for the next half hour. I didn't dare to turn around and meet his gaze. The dimmed lights provided a small mercy, shielding the raw vulnerability etched across my face.

It must be quite the scene: me perched on his lap, his arm firmly around my waist as I scribbled notes in a frantic attempt to appear engaged. The proximity should have felt comforting, but instead, it was a reminder of how far I had pushed him away from me.

His warmth seeped through my defenses, a silent testament to the connection I was too afraid to confront.

I felt his hand brush through the strands of my hair, those cascading down my back. Ever so gently, he weaved his fingers through them, and then I felt him wrap a lock around his finger, pulling it closer to his nose. I turned my head, my cheeks heating up, "What are you doing?" I mumbled, my voice betraying my nervousness.

"I missed your smell," he murmured, his eyes softer than I'd ever seen them before. His lips twitched into a small, innocent, heart-melting smile. "I was having a strawberry withdrawal over the past two weeks."

His silly, tender words shouldn't have made my heart jump and clench, but they did. The innocent confusion in his beautiful eyes, questioning my distance, broke my heart once more.

My lips twitched into a smile, and his gaze fell onto my lips, watching the smile spread. His shoulders seemed to relax, a mirror to the tension easing from my own body. With his arm around my waist, he urged me to relax too, pulling me closer to his chest. Involuntarily, I sank into his embrace, defenseless against him.

The truth was, I missed him too. More than I'd like to admit.

My back melted into his chest, my head tilting up to watch him as he watched me. His hand moved, resting gently over my cheek, ever so softly brushing my skin. He gazed at me with two opposing expressions: one that wanted to wrap me in a bubble and shield me from all harm, while the other, utterly depraved and hungry, ready to consume me whole and eat me alive.

At this moment, for some reason, I didn't mind either.

His fingers over my cheek moved, brushing the corner of my mouth. The pad of his thumb traced my lower lip, his gaze focused there. I felt my heart race, my chest heaving as I recalled the sweet feeling of his lips on mine. His eyes flickered back to my own, and even with the dimmed light, I saw the fire brewing beneath, a silent plea for permission. Maybe I was drugged on him, on his scent, on having him this close after all these days, because I nodded my head.

He didn't wait for more and his lips descended on mine. With barely controlled need, he kissed me slowly, the movements of his lips precise and meticulous as they savored my own. He nibbled and sucked before his tongue delved in. My eyelids fluttered shut, my hand releasing the stupid pen before climbing up his shoulder to the side of his neck, anchoring him closer to me.

His arm around my waist loosened, his hand moving down my hips to my thighs, pressing on the skin under my dress.

The weather was surprisingly good today, and I didn't miss the chance to wear my favorite dress—a cute spring dress that fluttered around my knees, adorned with tiny daisies, their delicate petals matching the innocence I felt slipping away in his arms. The soft fabric clung to me, a stark contrast to the heat of his touch, the coolness of the air-conditioned room mingling with the fire he ignited within me.

His hand traveled further up my thighs, his lips moving more intensely, hungrier and desperate, as if he wanted to claim all of me and leave nothing behind. His fingers brushed the side of my panties, and I expected my body to flinch at the closeness, but it didn't. His touch, tender yet insistent, bypassed the traumatic part of my brain, instead stimulating the part responsible for pleasure, teaching me what I didn't know, making me feel what I'd never felt before.

My fingers dug into his neck, desperately clinging to something as I tried not to scream or moan. My touch was aching, as I moved my hand to the back of his neck, weaving my fingers into his hair, struggling to keep myself from unraveling beneath his sinful caress.

The sound of claps echoed around us, and the sudden flicker of light made me push away so abruptly, reality and logic crashing back in with a loud thud. My eyes widened as they looked at Max, my skin ablaze, surely he could see it too. His eyes were heated, heavy-lidded, and a bit unhinged as he withdrew his hand from underneath my dress.

I couldn't comprehend how we were practically making out, touching each other inappropriately, in the back row of the conference hall. Thankfully, there was no one behind us. Terror welled up in my chest at the thought that someone could've caught us. God, since when do I do things like this?

This boy is ruining me, and I keep letting him for some unknown reason...

"What are you two doing?" Cole's voice made me whip my head in his direction, now fully awake, the clapping sound having shaken him from his peaceful sleep.

His eyes narrowed at Max, then flickered to me, probably taking in my noticeable disheveled state. His expression twisted in disgust, "Eww, you two, shame on you," he said, "In the middle of the lecture? Shame on you, sha—" The rest of his words transformed into a groan as Max punched his shoulder, pushing him away and clearly intending to inflict harm.

The reality of the moment left me breathless, my heart pounding wildly, my mind struggling to process the whirlwind of emotions and sensations. Max's touch lingered on my skin, a burning reminder of the desire that had ignited between us. I shot up from his lap, rather abruptly, finally breaking apart and the need to clench my legs together felt more persistent as seconds ticked by.

Students were filtering out, heading toward the exits, while some lingered, gathering around the professor to ask questions and take more notes. Max rose to his feet as well, adjusting his shirt with an infuriatingly casual air, as if he hadn't just caused my brain to melt moments ago.

His gaze, all wolfish and teasing, locked onto mine, and he smiled. "Coffee?" he asked, and I shook my head, still horrified at what had just unraveled. I needed him a hundred million miles away from me.

His eyebrow arched, "Yes, you will come with me," he commanded, "I'm not letting you escape again, and you'll tell me all about what's bothering you."

I shot him a glare, my jaw tightening as I clutched the notebook to my chest. "I said no," I grumbled.

He edged closer, invading my personal space, "Do you want me to push you back into the seat, lift that dress up, and make you come all over my fingers before I—," he began, causing my eyes to widen in bewilderment. Before he could continue, I curled my hand into a fist and punched his chest, "This damned mouth of yours!" I hissed.

"You weren't complaining when you pushed your tongue down this damned mouth of mine," he said back, each word stoking the flames of my fury. I was literally seething. This infuriating human!

His smile widened, clearly enjoying pushing all my buttons. He turned to Cole, "I'll catch up with you later," he said, giving Cole no time to protest as he moved toward me, his arm wrapping around my waist and propelling me along with him.

"I'll scream," I threatened as he literally dragged me out of the auditorium.

My words only seemed to amuse him further. He looked at me, "Oh really?" he asked, the tease evident in his tone. "Will you beg too?" he added with a wink.

"You are depraved," I grumbled.

"You were just kissing me in the middle of a lecture, among all of those people," he pointed out, his voice dripping with mischief, "I guess that makes you as depraved as me."

My teeth gritted, and I tried to summon patience, tried to breathe in and out, as I battled the overwhelming urge to strangle him. His presence, so overbearing and commanding, pulled me into a vortex of emotions, leaving me teetering on the edge of madness. Sometimes I don't know whether I want to kiss him or just push him off some damnded cliff...He ticks me like no one ever did.

Max pushed open the coffee shop's door, and the bells at the top chimed, signaling our arrival. Aubrey's eyes flickered from her phone to us, her smile warm and welcoming as she waved me over, "Val, hey!" she called out, "Girl, I missed you, how have you been?" She asked, her innocent words drew a furrow on Max's forehead.

"Missed her?" he asked, ever so confused.

Before I could send Aubrey a silent plea to keep quiet, she nodded and I facepalmed, "Yeah, haven't seen her since the semester ended," she added, unwittingly exposing my lie.

Max's previous teasing casual demeanor shifted a hundred eighty, her words proving his suspicions right; on how I was lying to purposely avoid him. He held me with a stern, smoldering gaze, his jaw clenched tightly before he forcefully averted his eyes and ordered our drinks, his tone flipping to a cold, neutral one.

"Uh-oh," Aubrey mumbled lowly, her gaze darting between us. Sensing the tension thickening the air, she sent me an apologetic look before she moved to the right to prepare our drinks.

Max stood in silence, his fingers drumming over the wooden surface with an intensity that matched the turmoil within me. Not once did he look at me, yet his body language screamed louder than any words ever could. Guilt twisted my stomach, making me question if I had overreacted, overthought everything as I always do, or maybe...maybe David's words were just another manipulation, trying to mess with my head again.

I swallowed hard, lost for words.

Without a word or a glance, Max picked up our drinks and headed for one of the tables, his expectation clear that I should follow. I exhaled a shaky breath and trailed behind him, my steps hesitant, my anxiety doubling and urging me to bolt. I fought against it and sat down, sinking into our usual seat by the window.

Max leaned back into his chair, his fingers resuming their relentless tapping over the cartoon cup. His gaze was locked onto the outside world, watching the passersby through the glass windows with an intensity that made the air between us crackle.

The atmosphere felt charged, each moment stretching with unspoken words. Finally, I broke the silence, my shoulders slumping in defeat. "Max," I mumbled.

He turned his head to me, his eyes meeting mine, waiting for me to speak.

"Okay, here it goes," I murmured, steeling myself to confront the storm that had been brewing within me for weeks.

*******************

Max's POV

I feel so many contradictive things when I am with this girl.

Happy.

Annoyed.

Angry.

Frustrated.

I feel so close to the edge every time she's around.

Now, I wasn't sure what I was feeling. She had been purposely pushing me away over the past weeks, weakening my already fragile heart.

"Max," She mumbled lowly, a hint of guilt woven into her words.

My gaze flickered and settled on hers. Her eyes softened as she looked at me, lines deepening between her brows. Something was off—I felt it since that day. Something was so off, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was.

Her eyes flickered to the table, her fingers tracing the edges. "Okay, here it goes," she mumbled, preparing herself before she faced me.

"On the last day of the semester," She started, going back to the day her behavior toward me changed, "David, he texted me."

My body tensed, my insides flipping a hundred eighty degrees at the mention of that fucker. The fire built up in my throat, scorching me as I thought of how he was still texting her, still after her, and probably ready to harm her again. My fingers curled into a fist on my thigh, grasping at the fringes of control. "What did he say?" I asked, struggling to keep my tone neutral and unaffected.

After my little health setback, I couldn't follow up with...you know who, on this matter. Well, considering he forbade me from going back to the bunker ever again. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his orders; as if I was going to listen to him or anything.

She shook her head, "Nothing, just his usual nonsense," She mumbled, unwilling to dive into details, always keeping me at an arm's length, "Anyway, the thing is he...he mentioned you in this text," She said, her hesitant eyes searching mine for any clue, for an answer, anything to ease her suspicion and suddenly, it all made so much sense.

My eyebrows pulled closer and she added, "He said something about you going after him," She added, seeking the truth out of me, "Did you?" She asked, revealing to me the main reason behind her distanced behavior.

"After what I told you that day, did you...did you try to look him up or anything?" She added, her voice lowering, the amount of fear in her eyes, the fear of me knowing, pierced into my chest sharply.

My heart pounded heavily, a maelstrom of emotions swirling inside me. The thought of that bastard still having any influence over her, of her being afraid because of him, made my blood boil. I wanted to protect her, to shield her from every shadow of fear, but it seemed my actions had only pushed her further and further away.

"Please Max, be honest," She added, her frown deepening, her expression killing me a thousand times.

My nails dug deeper into my palm as I thought of how to deal with this. I didn't want to lie to her but that fearful vulnerable look in her eyes is rendering me helpless.

Don't lie, Max, don't lie. Lying will take you nowhere, one day, sooner or later, you will have to tell her.

"Do you know who David is?" She asked.

Don't lie.

I shook my head, "No."

Fuck...

"Why would I go after him," I added, my jaw twitching, "He was your ex-boyfriend, I could care less for someone like him," I said, my tone way too convincing and I couldn't hate myself more at the moment.

She seemed hesitant, her eyes still searching mine, so I added, "Besides, I am quite sure he isn't worthy of the competition," I backed into my seat, forcing myself to act normal when nothing was.

Injecting a hint of playfulness into my voice, I added, "He is no threat to me, Valerie."

"But he mentioned you—" She added, unsure still.

I shrugged, "Most probably jealous," I said, giving her a wink, "I was able to win you over after all."

A breath pushed off her chest and her shoulders seemed to slightly relax, sinking down into her seat, "I was busy overthinking everything over the past two weeks," She mumbled, guiltily and I felt like such an asshole for lying but the situation so fucking messy I had no clue what to do, nor how to deal with it.

"Which is why I fished for excuses," She added, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to lie to you."

I edged closer, extending my arm over the table, and reached for her hand, wrapping it in my own, "Let's not talk about this," I mumbled, very aware if she said one more thing, I'd expose everything and I have a feeling that would hurt her ten thousand times more.

She nodded her head, agreeing, "Yeah, it's better," She mumbled.

Before I could say more, Cole came out of fucking nowhere and dropped onto the seat next to Valerie, "Hey guys," He said as he placed his drink on the table, his gaze flickering to Aubrey and he threw her a wink. She smiled and shook her head at him, making his smile widen as he faced us, "She is so into me," He said, ever so proudly.

He brought the cup to his lips and took a sip, "So, what are we talking about?"

I shot him a glare and kicked his leg under the table, causing him to almost spill his drink, "Oww," He grumbled, glaring back at me, "Why did you kick me?"  He turned to Valerie, "Valerie, control your boyfriend please," He added.

Valerie backed into her seat, her hand leaving mine as she picked her drink, smiling at Cole's silly behavior, or maybe at him referring to me as her boyfriend, I am not sure.

"Do you know that he was much cooler before," Cole added, still talking about me like I wasn't sitting just across, "He used to be so much fun, then boom, he got a kidney transplant and he suddenly became this aggressive obnoxious person," He added, "If I knew no better I'd say they gave him Hitler's kidney."

Valerie chuckled softly at his words before asking him to cut it off and stop bothering me. Her smile was tender, a balm to my frayed nerves, making me forget all about Cole's idiotic behavior.

I tried to steady my erratic heart as well, to quell the storm in my stomach, but it was a losing battle.

How could I be calm when I had just lied to her face? How could I relax knowing that he was still after her, lurking in the shadows of her life?

Cole and Valerie were chatting, their laughter a distant murmur as I took the chance to pull out my phone. Without a second thought, I opened his contact and sent a text.

We need to talk. Can we meet at the bunker in an hour?

Seconds ticked by like hours, my insides all types of messy, until my phone buzzed with his reply.

Kidney Donor: Okay, I'll see you there.

A shaky breath escaped my lips as I shoved my phone back into my pocket. My gaze lifted and instantly locked with Valerie's eyes, gazing back at me. There was a depth in her look, almost as if she could sense something was amiss. Instead of dwelling on it, her lips curled into a small smile, one I couldn't help but return.

"You two annoy me so much," Cole's voice cut through our silent exchange. He looked between us with a bored expression, "The way you gaze at each other, it's so—" He mimed vomiting, apparently disgusted by whatever was unfolding between Valerie and me. He shot me a glare, "I was always terrified of being the third wheel, and here I am."

I ignored him, my focus shifting back to Valerie, "I should head out, I have a few things to take care of," I said as I stood up.

She rose as well, her eyes hopeful, "Uh, I thought we could spend the day together," she suggested, her voice soft and hesitant. She offered it all up on her own, out of free will and without any exterior pressure, which was suspicious as hell.

My eyebrows knitted together in confusion, and she shrugged, a pink blush coating her cheeks. "I mean, to make up for the past weeks. I'm, uh... free for the rest of the day."

"I just have this thing to do. It won't take long, and after that, I can pick you up, if you want?" I proposed, trying to sound less suspicious.

"Or I can join you now, if you want," Valerie added, deepening my confusion at her insistence.

"Well, I have to..." I hesitated, scrambling for an excuse, "I have to pick up my sister. She needs to talk to me about something," I lied again, goddammit, "And when I drop her off, I can come and get you?"

She blinked, her throat bobbing slightly before she nodded her head, "Yeah, sure."

I turned to Cole, "Can you drop Valerie at her place?"

His eyebrow arched, "Do I look like I've got nothing better to do?" he grumbled. Then, with a resigned sigh, he nodded. "Yeah, true, I really have nothing better to do," he mumbled ever so sadly.

Turning to Valerie, he added, "Come on, Val, you can tell me on the way how you succeeded in making my friend a celibate," he added, ever so casually and I continued to ignore him, focusing on the more pressing matters at hand.

*****************

Valerie's POV

Max bid us a curt goodbye and hurriedly left the shop, leaving me alone with Cole. His demeanor had shifted drastically since we were back in the auditorium.

I wanted to blame it on my distrustful nature, but something was just so off about him all of a sudden. I wanted to believe him, that he knew nothing, that he did nothing, that it was all in my head, but also I couldn't. Everything was so damn confusing.

Cole and I headed to his car, his chatter filling the silence while I was lost in my own thoughts, overanalyzing this per usual. Gulping down, I paused by his car and turned to him, interrupting him mid-sentence, "Cole, can I ask for a favor?"

It was wrong, I know.

He nodded his head, "Yeah, sure."

"Well, it's not exactly ethical—"

His eyes widened and he took a step backward, "Hey, hey, I mean you are so hot and all, but Max would kill me, especially with that Hitler's kidney—he looks more than capable of it now," He said and I sighed at his nonsense, "Also, I can't betray my friend, I kind of care about him."

I shot him a glare, my gaze momentarily flickering to the distance, watching Max get into his car, his body language rather distraught. I turned back to Cole, very determined now, "First of all, I'd never ever suggest to sleep with you, calm down," I said, and he let out a relieved sigh. "Second of all, if you help me with this and you won't tell Max, I promise I will talk you up to Aubrey, I'll tell her how great of a guy you are."

That brought a wide grin to his lips. "Really?"

I nodded, "Yeah, I'll tell her all about your abandonment issues," I added jokingly and he nodded, ever so excitedly.

"Okay, deal. What are we doing?" he asked, rubbing his hands together and more than ready.

My eyes followed Max's car as he pulled out of the parking lot. "Can we follow him?" I asked.

Cole looked behind him to understand what I meant, then turned back to me, his eyebrows pulling closer, "Max?" He questioned in shock and I nodded my head, "I mean if you think he's cheating on you or something, I can assure you he isn't. He's way too smitten by you," he said with a dissatisfied scoff, "Believe me, I know my friend and I've seen how he treats you."

I shook my head, "That's not it. Please, can we? He's already gotten far," I added hastily.

Cole sighed, contemplating my offer before he nodded and ushered me into his car, "Okay, okay, get in."

He joined me inside, pulled the car out of the parking area, and onto the highway. Spotting Max's car in the distance, he sped up until we were able to catch up with him, keeping a careful distance as we followed him.

My heart pounded in my chest, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The road ahead was uncertain, but I was almost too sure that he was hiding something. I didn't know what I hoped to gain from this, but I needed to silence the gnawing voice in my head, the one insisting he knew more than he was letting on.

The ride took around thirty minutes, and a tense silence hung in the car. My heart raced as I watched Max park his car near the entrance of a sleek, towering skyscraper. Cole halted the car to a stop a bit far away from him, so as to not get caught. Cole tilted his head, his gaze flickered to the building, and he mumbled, "I mean, this is his father's company, and as far as I know, his sister works here as well," He added, confirming Max's earlier words.

Just then, my eyes landed on his sister, remembering her very well from our dinner the other day. She walked out of the building and to Max's side, a big smile curving her lips at his sight. They hugged and talked, their interaction proving that I was overreacting as usual.

A low sigh escaped my lips, and I sank back into my seat, feeling the weight of my unnecessary suspicion lift, only to be replaced by a different kind of heaviness. My gaze met Cole's, and I nodded in response to his silent question. Without another word, he pulled the car away from the scene and drove me to my house.

The relief that washed over me tasted bitter, mingling with the guilt of doubting him. The city blurred past us, and I was left to grapple with my turbulent thoughts, hoping for clarity but finding only more and more questions in the depths of my mind.

*****************

Max's POV

My gaze flickered down to my phone's screen, reading Cole's message, the one informing me that they had left. I shoved my phone into my pocket and looked into the distance, watching his car disappear down the bustling highway. The city hummed around me, a symphony of life and motion that only heightened my disquiet.

"Why did you call me here?" Lilly's voice cut through the noise, drawing my attention back to her. Her eyes met mine, confused and questioning. I smiled, trying to appear casual, even as tension coiled within me.

After Cole texted me about what Valerie requested from him, I had to briefly change my destination. God, I knew she suspected me still; she wouldn't have suggested accompanying me or insisted we spend the day together otherwise. I know Valerie too well, by now, almost way too well, memorizing her subtle cues and unspoken worries.

"Did something happen?" Lilly's voice wavered, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion and worry, "Is Mom okay? Are you okay?" Her eyes widened, spinning worst-case scenarios at my abrupt call for her to come and meet me here.

I shook my head, "Everyone is fine, nothing happened," I assured her.

"Then why did you call me to come down in such a hurry?" she pressed, her concern evident.

"I just...wanted to see you. Can't I see my sister whenever I want?" I tried to inject a playful tone, to defuse the tension, "Jesus, this dramatic gene really does run in the family," I edged closer, pecking her cheek, "I'll see you later," I said, backing away, trying to run before she asks more, "Love you," I added.

Leaving a very stunned and confused Lilly behind me, I climbed into my car, setting my course for the correct destination this time. As I drove off, the cityscape blurred past, a kaleidoscope of lights and shadows mirroring the chaotic whirl of my thoughts. Did I feel like an utter dick for lying to Valerie? Absolutely.

Her insistence that I remain in the dark only fueled my urge to conceal the truth from her. The thing is, I have no idea how to navigate this situation. This isn't something you can read about in a book or ask for advice from anyone. Every time I look at her, I feel the gnawing ache of what that bastard might have done to her. It scrapes at my insides, bits and pieces, a relentless torment I can't get rid of.

I don't know how to explain this to her. Each time I reach out, I'm haunted by the uncertainty of my touch. Which ones hurt her and which ones soothe? The line is so thin, and I stumble along it, fearing every misstep.

I shook my head, banishing those tumultuous thoughts to the recesses of my mind, focusing on the singular purpose at hand. I need to make sure he never comes near her again, that's the important thing. My lies and her secrets can be dealt with later. But if he dares to hurt her again, I'd go mad, that's for sure.

Pulling up to the intended location, I parked near the abandoned building. Stepping out, I made my way inside and down to the underground floor. The metallic door slid open, and Jeremy greeted me with a genuine warmth in his smile. "Hey, Max," he said.

Returning his smile with a nod, I replied, "Hey." My gaze scanned the surroundings. "Is he here?"

Jeremy nodded knowingly. "He's in his office," he gestured in its direction. I thanked him quietly and proceeded.

A knock preceded my entry into the office. Nikolas sat engaged in conversation with that Ronald guy, but their focus shifted as I stepped inside. Ronald turned his head, his eyes falling on me and he offered me a smile. Nikolas turned to him and nodded his head outside, dismissing him. Ronald rolled his eyes and gathered some files before he got up to his feet and left the room.

I stepped closer and Nikolas backed into his seat, his eyes flickered all over my face, trying to understand the reason for my presence, "Sit down," He urged.

I shook my head, opting to remain standing. "Can I know what you're planning to do about David?" I asked bluntly, cutting to the core of the matter.

He nodded his head, picking up his pen and twirling it around, ever so casually, "That's for me to worry about," He said, "I told you I'll take care of it, didn't I?"

I nodded, "But I want to know as well," I stressed out.

He shook his head, disagreeing, "The only thing you should do is focus on your health, leave the rest for me—"

I rolled my eyes at his concern, "I know how to take care of myself, I don't need your worry, it's my body after all—"

His eyebrow raised, "And it's my kidney after all," He remarked.

You know, he might be the total opposite of my father, character-wise, but when he says things as such, he proves to be his brother for real.

My jaw clenched, a heavy breath escaping my lungs as my anger surged. "From what I can gather, what you're doing isn't working," I grated out, frustrated at everything, "He tried to reach out to her again. He's threatening her. He could hurt her—"

Nikolas shook his head calmly, seemingly unaffected by my escalating fear, "His threats are a sign that he's scared. I know what I'm doing, Max. It's not my first time," He assured me, like this was a mere child's game to him, "As I said, leave it to me."

My fingers curled into my palm, the tension coiling tighter with each word he spoke. None of his assurances eased my stress. Sensing my wavering state, he rose to his feet, moving closer and pausing right next to me. His scrutinizing gaze didn't leave me, it felt like a physical weight, almost as if he could see right through me.

A heavy sigh escaped him, his hand running wearily over his face. "What do you want?" His voice was measured, but there was an undertone of resignation, as if he knew he would bend to my will just to calm me down.

"I want to resume my training," I said and he shook his head almost immediately, "No, Max, you saw what happened the last time, you pushed yourself too hard and you ended up in the hospital," He stressed out, a buried anger woven into his words, "And I couldn't say a damn thing about it to Alex because I gave you my word."

I shook my head, "I'll be more careful this time," I said, hoping to convince him somehow.

"No, you won't," He said, way too sure, "That look in your eyes isn't that foreign, I can recognize that look anywhere; you're furious, you are not thinking straight, and you'll end up hurt," He added, reading me like an open book, his certainty unsettling, "You want him out of the picture, I will make sure of that, and you don't have to lift a finger."

My jaw tightened, negative thoughts swirling in my mind, tightening my chest. "But if he hurts her again—"

"I won't let him," Nikolas interrupted, his voice decisive.

I ran a shaky hand over my face and through my hair, attempting to calm myself and failing miserably.

"What exactly did he tell her?" Nikolas pressed on, trying to understand why I was all over the place.

"I don't know," I admitted with frustration, shaking my head, "All I know is that he texted her."

Nikolas nodded once, then reached for his desk and dialed Jeremy, instructing him to join us immediately.

A few minutes later Jeremy knocked on the door before he got inside, "Yes, boss?" He said.

"You were keeping track of David's phone, right?" He questioned.

Jeremy nodded, and Nikolas added, "Can you access his messages?"

Jeremy shrugged, "I can try," he replied confidently, prompting Nikolas to push him to proceed. We settled on the couch opposite to the desk. Jeremy powered up his laptop, fingers flying over the keys with practiced ease, "He has one hell of a security system," Jeremy muttered under his breath as he navigated through layers of encryption.

He glanced up at us, adjusting his glasses with a small smile, "But nothing I can't break through."

Resuming his task, Jeremy delved deeper into his search. Nikolas interjected, his voice tinged with caution, "He might have tried to conceal his number or something when trying to text her."

Jeremy nodded in acknowledgment. "Makes sense. Let me check," he muttered, his focus intense as he sifted through digital pages and executed commands that seemed like arcane rituals to me.

"And ladies and gentlemen, we are in," Jeremy announced ever so giddly. He lifted his gaze up and his smile faltered at our very serious expressions. He gulped down, "So, uh, when was the message sent?" He mumbled while nervously adjusting his glasses.

"Around two weeks ago," I answered.

Jeremy nodded, "Okay," He said as he navigated through, going up the page and searching for anything suspicious.

He paused, lines etching deep into his forehead as he read through something critical. Finally, Jeremy looked up at Nikolas with a wary expression. "Found it," he mumbled, pivoting the computer screen so Nikolas and I could see.

I leaned closer, my eyes darting over the screen, catching the last threatening sentence just before Nikolas abruptly shut the laptop; Don't go blaming me when I bury him and you ten feet underground. This time I am not messing around, you've been warned.

Nikolas turned to me, his voice laced with controlled fury, "You failed to mention that he threatened you too."

"I told you I didn't know what he wrote," I mumbled.

A deep breath escaped Nikolas as he rubbed his hand over his face in frustration. Glancing at his watch, he snapped back into action as he got up to his feet. "Jeremy, find me his location," he commanded, his dangerous tone dripping with menace.

My eyes widened and my heart raced as I shot up from my seat, determined not to be left behind. Nikolas caught my gaze with a stern look, warning me silently, "I won't do a thing," I blurted out, anticipating his objection, shaking my head, "I promise."

He held my gaze for a moment, assessing my resolve, before nodding curtly, giving up to my wishes, "You'll stay behind me, understood?"

I nodded eagerly, ready to comply with anything if it meant confronting the bastard face-to-face. I had imagined this moment far too many times, fists clenched and heart pounding with anticipation.

"I sent it," Jeremy announced, breaking the tense silence. Nikolas checked his phone swiftly. "He's in some sort of private club," Jeremy continued, tapping a few more buttons. "You can get in through a QR code. I've forwarded it to you as well," he added, meeting Nikolas's gaze, "Best of luck, boss."

I followed Nikolas as he strode out of the office, his purposeful steps echoing in the corridor. We made our way to the elevator, the tension palpable between us like a tightly wound spring.

"So, we're gonna kill him?" I asked, my voice carrying the weight of uncertainty and adrenaline.

He turned to me sharply, his eyebrow arching in disbelief, "First of all, there is no 'we' in this," he stressed, his tone firm and resolute, "Second of all, killing him outright would be reckless. I don't do reckless," Nikolas emphasized, his words measured and calculated. "His family holds significant influence and power. Starting a war with them is the last thing we need, especially with everything else we're dealing with lately."

"Then what will you do?" I pressed, eager to understand his plan.

Nikolas shrugged nonchalantly, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Let's just say I've had a bad day and I need to release all this pent-up stress on someone's face," he said with a hint of dark humor.

The elevator doors opened, and he exited with purpose. I jogged to keep pace with him, matching his determined stride until we reached his car. I settled next to him, all of my detest toward him pushed to the back of my mind and I focused on this, on finally confronting the man lurking behind those texts and Valerie's nightmares.

"You haven't told Alex about any of this?" Nikolas asked, his attempt to initiate a conversation piercing through my messy thoughts.

I turned to him and shook my head, "No."

"Why not?" He asked.

I shook my head, "It's...complicated."

"How so?" He stressed on again.

I shot him a glare, urging him to stick to his damned limit, "You won't get it," I grumbled out.

With one last glance at my side, he resumed driving, silently steering us toward our destination. Reaching the club Jeremy spoke of, Nikolas parked the car and we got out. Nerves pumped through me, a chaotic mix of anxiety and fury.

Emotions clashed within me as we approached our target.

The guards scanned our QR codes, allowing us entrance, and we stepped inside. Nikolas's discerning gaze flickered around, taking in every corner and detail, a predator assessing his hunting ground.

"Stay behind me, and if you do anything—" Nikolas began, his tone a clear warning. I rolled my eyes, finishing his sentence for him, "You'll tell Dad?" I grumbled. He nodded, "Exactly."

He moved toward the right section, and I followed, my mind racing. "Why didn't you ask for backup?" I questioned, puzzled by the absence of his usual entourage.

Nikolas paused at a closed door and turned to me, giving me a ridiculous look. "You think I need backup for someone like him?" he asked, as if the notion were too absurd. He pulled out his gun, and with one swift, powerful kick, he tore the door open.

It all happened in a blur, rather fast it took me a second to make sense of what happened. Nikolas fired at the two security guards, their bodies crumpling to the ground like discarded paper. The sudden violence sent a shockwave through the room, alarming everyone inside.

The room contained five men and four women. The men were disheveled, shirts unbuttoned, hair tousled, eyes glassy and distant under the apparent influence of drugs. The women, scantily clad, cowered in fear, trying to cover themselves and frozen in place like frightened deer.

My eyes darted among the men, trying to spot him. The picture I had seen in the news wasn't clear enough, and now, in the dim light and chaos, every face blurred together. Each man seemed a twisted reflection of debauchery and fear.

Nikolas moved with deadly precision, a predator among prey. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat echoing my frantic thoughts. I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as we stepped further into the den of vice. The room reeked of sweat and desperation, an oppressive mix that gnawed at my nerves.

"Which one of you is David?" Nikolas's voice cut through the stale air like a knife. His tone brooked no resistance, commanding authority in every syllable.

Four of the men turned their gaze toward one figure standing slightly apart from the others. David was taller than the rest, his build lean, with a tangle of unkempt blonde hair that fell over a face marred by stubble. His eyes, dark blue, bloodshot, and wide, darted between Nikolas and me, registering fear mixed with defiance, as he tried to understand.

Despite the disarray of his appearance, there was a sharpness in his gaze that hinted at the unhinged man he truly was on the inside.

The torrent of troubling emotions surged within me, threatening to spill over as I stood frozen in place. Before I could even gather my next thought, Nikolas moved with lethal precision. He closed the distance with an unnerving calmness, unleashing a barrage of punches upon David's face. Each impact reverberated through the room, the sound of flesh meeting bone echoing like thunder in my ears.

David staggered backward, blood blossoming from his split lip and a broken nose. His body collided with the wall, a futile attempt to find refuge from Nikolas's relentless attack. Before he could register the first attack, Nikolas went for the second, then the third...till I lost count. The room seemed to shrink around us, suffocating under the weight of violence and retribution.

David coughed up blood, his body failing him, his back pressing against the wall as he stared up at Nikolas, "Who are you?" he managed to choke out, his voice strained and weak.

Nikolas's lips curled up into a smile, "Someone who is going to bury you ten feet under if you dare to breathe his way or threaten him again," He grated out, and David's eyes, clouded with pain and fear, flickered away and met mine fleetingly. He realized then, perhaps too late, the gravity of the situation and the identity of his attacker.

Nikolas's hand curled over David's neck, forcing him to look back at him, "Understood?"

When David didn't budge, Nikolas tightened his grip, crushing the guy's airway, "I said understood?" He grated out. This time David nodded his head, terror welling up in his being and spurting out coughs and gasps for oxygen as Nikolas finally let go of him.

His body fell forward and he clutched into his aching chest, gasping for air but Nikolas wasn't done. He wrapped his fingers over the back of his hair, pulling his head up, "If you don't stay away from them, next time I won't be as merciful," He hissed before he used his grip to slam David's head into the wall.

One slam, that all it took to knock him unconscious.

The scene unfolded before me in horrifying slow motion, every detail etching into my memory with stark clarity. In stunned horror, I watched the scene unravel, grappling with the raw intensity of what I had witnessed.

I guess Cole was right in a way, Hitler's kidney indeed...

*********************************

Hey!

Ah, I missed this book!
I was focused on finishing the other ones that I ignored this one for a while, but now that the other books are done, I can finish this one in peace.

We don't have that much left anyway ;)
It's a short story.

Anyways, I hope you liked the chapter :)

See ya soon