Page 53 of F*ck Steal Kill

“Holland, you’re okay. It’s safe,” Max’s soft voice said from my side. I jerked, blinking as I tried to recall how I ended up with him.

“Max,” I said, my mouth dry.

Licking my lips, I smacked them together as I stalled for time. I needed to remember what had happened. I peered down, taking in my black tactical shirt with the extra padding to help protect my ribs and throw off my size if anyone saw me. My pants had been cut on one side, giving me a short length on my left leg and pants on the right. My black combat boots still adorned my feet.

Okay, so clearly, I was still dressed for murder, sans half of one pant leg. Time to play it dumb and see how much they knew.

“What happened?” I asked, looking at him. His brows dipped, and he pulled out a penlight and shined it in my eyes. I swatted it away before my arm protested and I had to drop it back to the bed.

“Do you remember anything?” he asked slowly, putting the light down.

I blinked, trying to remember and figure out a lie at the same time. “Um, not really. Where’re my pants?” I asked, gesturing to the summer shorts on one side. “I doubt this is in style.”

Max chuckled, shaking his head as his shoulders dropped slightly. “Yeah, sorry about that. I had to cut them to get to your stab wound.” He stopped himself, only giving me bite-size portions of information. Max, the cutie, was harder to crack than I’d anticipated.

“Stabbed?” I asked, making my eyes owlish. “Why was I stabbed?” I looked around, taking in the rest of the room and finding it empty.

Now was my chance to discover as much as possible before the other two returned. The part of my heart that liked Max pinged in self-hatred, not liking that I was manipulating him. I didn’t enjoy it either, but it was a matter of life or death, and not just for me. I needed all the facts before I told them anything.

“We were hoping you could tell us.” Max sighed, hanging his head. “Holland, I think we could help one another, but we’ve gotta trust each other to do that. So, how about I go first, and then you tell me how you ended up in the room of a child molester.”

I bit my lip but nodded. “Okay. First, do you have my phone?”

“Yeah.” He stood and walked over to the dresser, picking it up. “The screen got cracked, but I think it still works. It’s been vibrating, at least.”

I grimaced when I saw the state of the screen. Swiping my finger over it, I jerked back when I felt the sting of the glass. “Ouch!” I hissed, pulling my finger to my mouth to suck the blood. Max gave me a horrified look.

“That’s not sanitary,” he stammered, his hand reaching to pull my hand free.

“It’s fine. I’ll grab a bandage when I’m done.”

He dropped his hand, his face grimacing as he stared at me disapprovingly. Sighing, I placed my finger under his nose, not wanting him to look that way at me. Max’s eyes popped up, a smile spreading as he took it and opened a medical kit. Damn, he was dangerous.

While he fiddled with doctoring me up, I opened my messages with my other hand, being more careful to avoid the shards this time. I had several messages from the girls but couldn’t read them on the cracked screen. Taking the chance, I hit the button to call them, needing them to know I was okay.

“Holland! Are you okay? What happened?” Lacey rushed out, not giving me a chance to respond. “When you didn’t text, I returned to the motel and saw your three amigos carrying you to their car. The room was trashed and covered in blood. We were so worried but figured it was best to stay back if they had you,” she whispered, keeping her voice low.

“Yes, um, good call. I’m with Max,” I said, trying to tell them without saying more.

“Do you need us to extract you?”

“I don’t think so. I might not make it to work tomorrow. How did your appointment go?”

“Got it taken care of. No more creepy perv, and the little girl was reunited with her family,” Lacey said but was soon interrupted by Joy.

“We’ll cover for you, but I want proof of life, or I’m storming in,” Joy exclaimed.

Chuckling, I felt better already, knowing they hadn’t been seen and had been able to reunite the little girl with her family. I knew I had a decision to make, and I would protect them in this as much as possible. We were ride-or-die for a reason.

“Thanks, love you both.”

They made some kissing sounds before the call ended, and I turned back to Max. My finger had a bandage, his eyes watching me as he held my hand.

“I was so scared when I walked into the room and found you covered in blood, Holland. I know we just met, but in those few seconds, I thought you were dead…” he trailed off, shaking his head, sucking in a breath. His eyes were wet when he peered back up. “It felt like someone had stolen all the light, and I was lost in the darkness with no way out.”

My earlier resolve broke at his words and tears. It was too much sweetness for my damaged and battered heart. Max was pure, and I wouldn’t sully him with my manipulation and lies. I owed him the truth.

“I’m sorry. I would never wish for you to feel that way, Max. And honestly, I should step away before I taint your goodness.” I dropped my eyes, not wanting to see the agreement in his eyes.

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