Page 27

Guilt eats at my heart. Nina and Scar seem to be good people, and I’m putting them in danger. I’m wanted by the FBI for kidnapping! I can’t believe this is my life right now. I can’t continue to stay with them. I don’t want them to be arrested for helping me. I need to figure out something else, at least until I can get a hold of Max’s mom. She needs to step up and help her son. I’m sure she will once she finds out what’s happening and realizes how terrified he is.

The cops search the house, disappearing into bedroom after bedroom. At one point, they walk through the doorway in the hall into the strawberry-themed room. I glance at the door to the panic room and listen intently. It’s truly soundproof because I can’t hear anything on the other side. As they leave the room, their expressions don’t change. They have no idea how close they came to finding Max. I hope I can get far, far away from here before they realize their mistake.

The thought of walking away from Scar gnaws at my chest. I just started getting to know him. I’ve barely scratched the surface of who he is, and it’s not enough. I want to know everything about him, but I can’t stay. It’s impossible. Hiding out at Nina’s will only put everyone in danger. I’m not that selfish. Leaving is the only way I can be sure the cops won’t suspect Nina and Scar anymore. The sooner I can get out of here, the better.

After almost an hour of searching, the sheriff and his deputies rejoin Nina in the living room. She’s wearing the same placid smile as before, but if anyone looked closer, they’d see tightness at the corners of her mouth. She’s furious even though she’s not showing it.

“Well, gentlemen, find anything?” she asks.

“Nothing. But don’t think we won’t keep our eyes on you. Underground Vengeance has never respected the law. Your old man hated us. I’m sure you do, too.” He glares at her.

“Next time, come back with a warrant.” Nina stands and gestures toward the front door. “I’m sure you know the way out.”

The sheriff grunts and signals to his men to follow him. Nina doesn’t move from the living room until they’ve gone through the front gate, which firmly closes behind them. Only then does she relax her shoulders.

“I’ll come to get you out,” she says to the camera over the fireplace.

“Thanks,” I murmur, unsure whether she can hear me. I don’t know what security cameras are capable of these days. I never had any because I never thought I needed them. I’m starting to question that choice. Right now, it really doesn’t matter. There’s no way I can go home until this is over, but as soon as Max is somewhere safe with his mom, I’m definitely getting a system installed at home.

The door to the panic room hisses open, and Nina enters, smiling at me before dropping her gaze to Max. “Well, that was exciting. How about some lunch?”

“Is my dad gone?”

“Yes, and he’s not going to bother us anymore. Scar will make sure of it.”

“I’m not hungry,” Max mumbles, clutching his stomach as if it hurts. It probably does from the stress of seeing his father again.

“That’s okay. Let’s watch cartoons until Scar gets back. He texted that he’s on his way. He should be here any minute,” she says, more for my benefit than for Max’s.

My heart flutters at the thought of seeing Scar again. Then the guilt kicks in. Every second I stay here, I’m putting him and Nina in danger. I need to leave as soon as possible. I should go before he gets back. Seeing him again will only make it even harder to leave. It’s difficult enough as it is.

“Nina, can I talk to you in the kitchen?”

“Of course.” She gets Max situated in front of the television before joining me in the kitchen. “What’s up?”

“I’m a wanted fugitive.”

“Pft.” She waves a hand through the air. “Even if you’re wanted by the FBI, they can’t prove anything. They can’t pin kidnapping on you unless they catch you with Max. As long as you’re here, you’ll both be safe.”

“But you won’t.” I shove my hands into my pockets.

“What do you mean?”

“The cops went to the clubhouse earlier, and then they came here. They’ll be back, and if they find him here, they’ll arrest you as an accomplice to kidnapping.”

“Even if they come back with a warrant, they won’t find anything.” Nina shrugs as if being served with a warrant happens to her every day. Maybe it’s not unusual for her, but I don’t even have a parking ticket. I’ve never been arrested. If the cops questioned me about Max, I’d crack under the pressure and be hauled off to prison.

“We need to leave. I can’t risk putting you in danger.” I walk around the island to get Max, but Nina catches me, grabbing my upper arm with a firm hand.

“Stop!” She lowers her voice. “Max is counting on you to keep him safe. If you run now, what’s your plan?”

“I don’t know. I just can’t stay here.”

“We’ve dealt with much bigger, meaner enemies in the past,” Nina says.

“You have?”

“You’re not the first woman we’ve helped. Hell, you’re probably not even the hundredth. We’ve never lost a single kid. Never. I’d die to protect Max. I know you don’t understand why I’m willing to put my life on the line for him, but trust me, this is what I do. I protect kids who don’t have anyone else. You do, too. I see it in you. Max isn’t the first kid you’ve helped, is he?”