Page 27 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

“I want you to know that I love you and everything’s going to be okay.”

I furrowed my brow. “What?”

He kissed my ear softly, lowering his voice to a whisper. “I love you, Danika Young.”

I shook my head. “What’s going on? Why are you--?”

“Max Ryddle?”

I didn’t even hear the door open. But when the hardened voice caught my ear, I knew exactly what was going on. I didn’t even have to look to know that a police officer was standing in my fucking hospital room. Tears rushed my eyes. Max slipped his hand away from mine. And no matter how much I clamored for it, he turned himself around and slowly moved away from the bed.

Away from me.

“Max, no,” I said.

The officer looked at him. “Are you Max Ryddle?”

He nodded, but he didn’t say anything.

“You’re under arrest.”

I scoffed. “What? No! You can’t arrest him, Officer. He did nothing--”

Dad placed his hand on my thigh. “Princess, just let the man do his--”

I slapped his hand away. “Don’t you touch me. Did you do this? Did you call the police?”

Mom gasped. “Danika. Don’t you ever hit your father like that again.”

I drew in a deep breath. “Answer my fucking question!”

“Bambi.”

My parents’ eyes widened as I quickly turned to face Max. I watched the officer slap handcuffs on him, and not once did he resist. Not once did he fight. Not once did he try to plead his side of things.

“Please,” I begged. “Max. Officers. Wait, this isn’t right--”

Max’s voice lowered. “Bambi. Gorgeous. Look at me.”

Tears rushed down my cheeks as my gaze found his.

“Max,” I whispered.

He nodded. “Everything is going to be all right. Trust me on that.”

9

Max

This isn’t going to be anywhere near all right.

It killed me to hear Dani sniffling as the two police officers walked me out of her room. I glanced over my shoulder and the faces on her and her parents would forever be etched in my mind. Her mother’s face was stricken with horror, her wide eyes mirroring the shock in Dani’s. Her father’s face was filled with regret. Sorrow. Confusion. Anger. A hell of a first impression on the one man who meant the most to a girl.

Dani’s face was filled with grief, determination, anger, and exhaustion.

I’ll never forget that look as long as I live.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law…”

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