Page 59 of Save Me

Panic hits my system. I can’t see Maddox if he’s in a hotel. I can’t learn about his favorite color or favorite movie, or share memes with him and watch him laugh.

“No!”

Maddox looks at me now, and his eyes focus, like he’s seeing me for the first time.

I plead with my gaze. “I mean, it’s okay! It really is. You’re not putting me out, and I like the company.” When his mouth tightens, I follow it up with, “I mean, not like that! I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable. I just…like hanging out with you.”

I’m making it worse. I’m making it much, much worse. Why can’t I stop? Nope, not today, Batman. I got this. I can totally turn this around. I can get him to see that I am just offering support. I paste on a bright smile. I got this.

I drink in Maddox’s expression to see if he’s going to run. That tiny frown is between his eyebrows again, and his cheeks are flushed. Actually, his whole neck is red.

I hear Princess’ nails scrabble on the tile like they do when he runs because he knocked over my umbrella stand.

Then the crash hits. Sure enough, Princess darts by in a streak of black and blue.

Maddox jumps, pure terror on his face. He whirls to the door, eyes wide like he’s seen a ghost.

”Princess,” I groan. “Dude, really?” I turn to Maddox. “He knocks that thing over all the time.”

Maddox acts like he can’t hear me, his breathing heavy and eyes so wide I can see the whites. He stands there, staring at the door like he expects someone to come through it.

“Maddox?” I say, narrowing my gaze at him. Does he expect someone to come through the door? Who?

My thoughts immediately go to Arthur, whom Logan has yet to send me an update on.

Absently, Maddox’s hand goes to his throat, rubbing it, and then I freeze, looking him over again carefully. His throat is red. Unusually red.

Did someone…hurt him tonight? Was it Arthur?

“Maddox?” I ask, my voice dropping.

He drops his hand.

“Who did you see tonight?”

There’s a flicker of fear over Maddox’s face before confusion and then anger set in. He turns on me. “How is that any of your business?”

My vision blurs as rage begins to seep through my system. I know the answer to my question with certainty. Why else would he look afraid when I asked that?

“I’m gonna kill him.”

I’m gonna go get my gun, track Arthur down, and shoot him where he stands. I pull my phone out of my pocket. “Right now. I’m gonna kill him.” The rage that’s flowing through me is red hot. It’s powering me so fast I don’t know if I can stop.

“Wait.” Maddox’s voice is filled with power for the first time tonight.

But I’m not waiting. I dial Logan. Why in the world is Arthur not gone yet? It doesn’t matter. I’ll get his location, and I’ll do it myself.

Then Maddox is there, in my face. He looks terrified. “What are you doing?”

“Taking care of the problem.” I try to turn away, but Maddox snatches my phone.

“Hey!” I’m afraid, but it comes out angry, like it’s directed at Maddox. Immediately, I soften my tone. “Please. I need that.”

Maddox holds it back, staring at me. “What are you doing?” he asks again, like he’s scared.

“No one should put their hands on you, Maddox.” My hands are shaking with adrenaline, and I want to snatch the phone out of his hand, but I don’t. Instead, the pressure just builds in my chest.

“You think you can kill him?”