Page 52 of No Mercy In Red

“Clearly,” Lara huffed, but her face softened into a genuine smile. “But seriously, I’m happy for you, Max. He’s a good one, I can tell.”

My throat tightened with emotion. “Yeah, he really is.”

Lara released me and moved toward the sofa, plopping down and immediately curling her feet beneath her. “I actually have some newsmyself,” she said, a tentative smile growing wider. “I decided something, after everything happened.”

My heart skipped a beat with curiosity. “What is it?”

She inhaled deeply, eyes brightening. “I applied for that fashion internship in Paris, and I got in. I’m going to Paris, Max. “

“Paris?” I gasped, eyes widening with surprise. Excitement mingled with sudden sadness at the thought of her leaving. “That’s incredible! But are you sure? I mean—”

“Max, I’m positive. After everything,” she paused, eyes briefly shadowed by pain, “I realised I couldn’t keep living how I was. Partying, meaningless hookups, avoiding dealing with things. I need a fresh start—somewhere far away, where I can finally become the person I want to be.”

My heart swelled with pride, despite the ache forming in my chest. “Lara, I am so fucking proud of you.”

She grinned, genuine joy brightening her features. “I leave in a few weeks. I wanted you to be the first to know. You’ve always been there, Max, even at my worst. You have supported me through everything, I’ll never forget that.”

“You deserve this more than anyone,” I said, reaching out to squeeze her hand tightly. “I’m really gonna miss you, though.”

she sniffled softly, laughing through watery eyes. “You’ll visit, right?”

I nodded, feeling my own tears threatening to spill. “Of course. No way you’re escaping me that easily.”

We laughed softly together, the heaviness temporarily lifting. But as our laughter faded, I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. Lara had shared her truth; it was time for me to share mine. The fear clung to me heart as I prepared myself to potentially lose the most incredible friend.Telling her my secrets could make her look at me in a way that would destroy me, but she deserved the truth.

“Lara, I have something to tell you, too.”

Her eyes flickered with concern, her grip on my hand tightening. “Oh my god, are you pregnant?”

I barked a laugh, “Jesus Christ, fuck no! I’m not pregnant. It’s—” I paused, inhaling shakily.

Lara looked at me, her brow furrowing. “You can tell me anything, Max. Nothing will change how much I love you. Ever.”

I swallowed hard, exhaling slowly as my heart began to pound painfully. “Hmm, don’t say that just yet, you don’t know what I’m about to say.” I huffed out a dry, humourless laugh. “But you deserve the truth, especially after what happened to you. I need you to know... everything.”

She nodded silently, patiently waiting for me to continue. I took a deep breath, praying that this confession didn’t cost me me everything.

“It started with my dad,” I whispered, the words feeling heavy on my tongue. “He wasn’t just the amazing father you knew—he was a serial killer, Lar. But he was killing men who deserved it. Men who hurt women, just like the guy who hurt you.”

Lara’s eyes widened, her breath hitching in shock. But she didn’t interrupt, allowing me to continue.

I took another shaky breath, “When he died, I found out. I discovered his past, what he had done. And I was devastated, even a little horrified at first—but then something happened. Something snapped in me, Lara. I felt this responsibility, this... obligation to carry on what he had started because he died for me Lar, he died chasing down my abuser.”

Her brows burrowed in confusion, “Abuser?”

I nodded, “Shane. He was abusing me. Hurting me, he was the reason I had a broken wrist. I didn’t fall down the stairs like I told you.”

“Oh”, she responded, the sadness in her eyes showing through the shock.

“I started targeting the men who escaped punishment, the ones who abused and violated women without consequence.”

Her lips parted slightly, the colour draining from her face. “Max...”

“I know,” I said, my voice barely a whisper with tears streaming down my face. “I’m sorry, I never wanted to lie to you. But I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t let anyone find out because they would look at my father differently, tarnish his memory. He was still the man I loved, the father who gave me everything. The man who gave up his life trying to protect me.”

Lara exhaled shakily, her eyes filling with tears, but she still squeezed my hand reassuringly “Keep going. Tell me everything.”

Taking another deep breath, I continued, spilling every secret, every kill, every hidden truth. I told her the reason I had hidden Shane’s abuse from her, because I felt ashamed and weak. And then, I finally told her about Connor. How he started as a stalker, much more dangerous than the version I had told her prior. But that somehow, I had fallen deeply in love with him. How he knew everything, helped me through everything.

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