Page 19 of They Will Fall

“You never have to thank me, babe. I’d hide away with you forever if it meant spending forever by your side.”

She squeezes my body tighter, returning to her position with her eyes closed. “I don’t deserve you, Maddox Crane.”

“I beg to differ. I am the one who doesn’t deserve you, Riley Cross.”

I don’t think I’ve ever spoken truer words. This girl is pure gold and I am nothing but worthless common metal.

Her head snaps back around until she’s staring up at me. “You better quit being so hard on yourself. You’re the type of man that little girls dream of marrying one day. You’re a saint.”

I shake my head slowly. “Nah. I’m no saint. I’m a sinner through and through.”

“We all sin, Maddox. We’re human. But please stop doubting yourself. You’re a good man.”

“The only good part of me is you.”

She chuckles as she closes her eyes again, and I resume stroking her hair. “You’re impossible is what you are. I guess I’ll let you be blind to your saintliness and I’ll just be the eyes that see it for you.”

My lips curve into a smile as if trying to convince myself that I am the saintly man she thinks I am. But no matter how hard I try, I can't shake the feelings of guilt and regret, refusing to let me forget what I’ve doneand what I continue to do.

A few minutes later, her audible breaths have her nostrils flaring. I watch for a moment as she sleeps peacefully before resting my head back on the wall and trying to get some shut-eye myself.

* * *

I’m startled awake at the repetitive sound of a gentle thrash. My eyes snap open and I squint at the darkness around me. Then, I realize Riley is no longer on my lap. I jump up, a twist of fear in my stomach. "Riley," I call out.

The sounds stop.

I reach down beside the wall and grab my lantern, quickly bringing the flame to life. I hold it up, and I see her standing as still as can be at the top of the ladder.

“What the hell are you doing?” I hurry over to the ladder and peer up, breathing a sigh of relief when I see that the trapdoor is still closed.

“I have to get out of here, Maddox. I’m sorry. But I can’t stay any longer.”

“We have no choice, babe. Please just come back down. You need to rest. We can figure something out in the morning.”

“But it is morning, Maddox. I can see a crack of light coming through the boards.”

Damn. I must’ve been really fucking tired to have slept all night. Then again, I have no idea what time it was when I dozed off.

“How about if we try and get through the door again? We’ll be safe on the other side.”

“No!” she snaps. “I’m not staying here another night, or another day. I’m leaving, and you can come with me, or you can stay behind.”

I set the lantern on the floor beside the ladder and take a step up, willing to carry her down if need be. No matter what, I am not letting her get out that door.

“Baby, please. Just come down so we can talk about this.”

Ignoring my plea, she begins pushing on the trapdoor again. “This thing is fucking stuck!”

“As it should be. We can’t leave, and no one can get it in.”

“Maddox, please,” she cries. “I’m suffocating down here. I need to get out.”

I take another step up. “Just calm down. Everything is fine.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Her voice cracks with frustration. “This is not a calm situation. I’m worried about Ridge. He should have been here by now.”

“Baby…” I say softy as I keep moving upward. “I’m going to help you back down.”

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