Page 53 of No Mercy In Red

“And the night of your birthday,” I finished, voice trembling, “Joe—the cop—he kidnapped me. Connor saved me, and Tony helped Connor clean it up. I was tied down in that basement, and I thought I was going to die. I almost lost everything, Lara.”

She moved closer, tears freely streaming down her beautiful face as she pulled me into a fierce, protective hug “Oh, Max. I’m so fucking sorry. God, you’ve carried all of this alone?”

“Until Connor, yes,” I mumbled, holding her tightly, finally letting out the sob I’d been holding back for months, years even.

“There’s one more thing. Jake, the guy who hurt you.” She nodded, the wince at his name not going unnoticed. “I killed him. Connor and Tony helped me. I took him to that basement and tortured him for what he did to you, Lara. It was the most difficult kill I have ever done, but he’s dead.”

I looked at her, with tears streaming down my face as the memory of destroying Jake threatened to make me break again. She blinked, shock crossing her features.

“You killed him. For me?”

“I had to. He deserved it, but I had to do it for me to. The guilt Lara, it was killing me. I needed to make it up to you, but now, you know everything. I don’t want secrets between us anymore.”

She pulled back slightly, cupping my tear-streaked face gently. “Max, I need you to hear me. I don’t care what you did or why you did it. I love you. Nothing, absolutely nothing, will ever change that. You protected women who couldn’t protect themselves—including me. And you have nothing to feel guilty about Max. Wether or not you stayed, I would have left with him eventually. It would have happened either way, it is not your fault, just like it isn’t my fault.”

Her words healed something inside of me, a wound I had carried in silence for so long I didn’t realise how badly it started to fester inside of me.

“I love you too, Lar. Always.”

She smiled softly; eyes bright despite her tears. “What happens now?”

I sighed deeply, feeling lighter than i had in years. “I don’t know yet. But i think... maybe it’s time for me to move on too. Time to let go.”

She nodded understandingly. “Maybe it’s time you started finally living your own life. You’ve earned it, Max. Your father would be so proud of you, carrying on his legacy or not.”

My heart squeezed at hearing that. Never did I let myself possibly believe my dad would be proud of me. But of course he would, because he would be proud of me no matter what. I was too blinded by grief, by old wounds, to understand that. But now I did.

“Maybe you’re right.”

For the first time in years, the future didn’t feel dark or uncertain. It felt hopeful, bright, and finally—mine.

Chapter 39

Max

The days following my confession to Lara passed in a strange blur.

Every morning, I woke up feeling lighter than the day before, as though the years of secrets I’d carried had finally loosened their hold on me. Lara had taken the news far better than I’d imagined, supporting me completely even after everything she’d been through herself. She was resilient, brave, and seeing her pull herself together so quickly filled me with pride and hope. I quit my job at the law firm with immediate effect. I decided it was time to start letting go of my past, and leaving that godforsaken job was the first step. Lara’s departure to Paris crept closer, and while I was thrilled for her, sadness lingered heavily in the pit of my stomach. My best friend—the woman who had been my rock for as long as I could remember—would soon be thousands of miles away. I knew we’d still talk constantly, but it wouldn’t be the same without her.

I sighed softly, stirring the cream into my coffee absentmindedly when I felt strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me gently backward against a familiar, comforting warmth.

“Morning, beautiful,” Connor murmured against my ear, his voice deep and rough from sleep.

“Morning,” I smiled softly, leaning back into him, enjoying the feel of his strong chest pressed against my back.

He kissed my neck lightly, causing a pleasant shiver to ripple through me. Connors presence was soothing in a way I hadn’t expected—he was the calm amidst the chaos, the anchor I hadn’t realised I’d needed so desperately.

“Thinking about Lara?” He guessed, quietly, his thumb softly stroking circled into my hip.

“Yeah,” I mumbled. “She’s leaving soon. It’s gonna be so weird without her here.”

Connor hummed in understanding, “You’re gonna miss her.”

“So fucking much,” I admitted, turning in his embrace to face him. “But it got me thinking. Maybe it’s time I did something new too, you know? Maybe it’s time to finally stop living in the shadow of my past and finally just... live.”

Connor’s expression softened, eyes warm and encouraging. “You deserve that, Max. More than anyone.”

I bit my lip, looking up at him hesitantly. “Would you... would you ever consider travelling with me? Just leaving all of this behind, even only for a little while?”

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