Chapter 9

Maxine’s POV

The rest of the day passed in a blur. 

It was not the kind that came with productivity or focus, it was the kind that left you hollow while moving from one task to another without truly being present. 

My hands worked on autopilot as I updated charts, checked vitals, and responded to questions, but my mind kept circling back to one thing.

Hex, more specifically, what almost happened.

The image wouldn’t leave me; him holding my phone, his eyes scanning the screen and then that question.

I tightened my grip on the file in my hand as I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself. 

It had been hours, but yet the panic still lingered under my skin, crawling, suffocating, and refusing to settle.

He was too close to finding out about Creed and Hex Mercer was not the type to let something go once it caught his attention.

That was what scared me the most. It was not his anger or presence, it was his persistence.

I had spent three years building a life where he didn’t exist. A life where Creed was safe, and untouched by the past I ran from. 

And now, in just a matter of weeks, everything felt like it was slipping through my fingers.

I couldn’t let that happen.

By the time my shift finally ended, relief hit me so suddenly that it almost made me dizzy. 

I didn’t even bother saying goodbye to anyone, I just grabbed my bag and left.

The hallway felt too long, the air too tight, and my heartbeat was too loud in my ears. 

I pressed the elevator button repeatedly, my foot tapping impatiently against the floor as I waited for it to come up. 

“Come on… come on…”

The doors slid open, and I stepped in immediately, exhaling as they closed behind me like a barrier between me and everything I was trying to escape.

For a brief moment, I allowed myself to relax hoping I would make it home without seeing him.

The elevator dinged as it reached the garage level and I stepped out.

I had barely taken two steps when I halted because leaning against a car with crutches tucked under his arms while looking like he had all the time in the world was Hex.

My stomach dropped.

For a second, I considered turning around, pretending I had forgotten something upstairs but it was too late.

He had already seen me.

His gaze locked onto mine instantly, like he had been waiting.

I forced myself to move, even though every instinct in me screamed at me to run.

“Hey,” I said, keeping my tone neutral and professional.

His eyes followed me as I made my way towards my car. His gaze was unreadable and intense in a way that made my skin prickle.

“Hey,” he replied, his voice quieter than usual. 

The silence that followed stretched uncomfortably between us.

God, I hated this.

I shifted my bag on my shoulder, forcing myself to keep going, like this didn’t feel like walking straight into a storm.

“You’ll get better soon,” I said, nodding slightly toward his injured leg. “Just follow the recovery plan.”

He didn’t respond, he just kept looking at me like he was trying to read something beneath my words.

“Did you call a driver?” I asked. “Or is someone picking you up?”

Still nothing.

The weight of his gaze grew heavier and suddenly, I regretted asking.

“Sorry,” I added quickly, lifting a hand slightly. “That was none of my business.”

I shifted my attention away from him, pulling out my phone, my fingers moving faster than my thoughts as I typed out a message for Davian. 

Me: Are you still in the building? I’m in the garage.

I needed a buffer and Davian was the only person I could reach out to. 

“Are you seeing him?” His voice cut through my thoughts.

I stilled for a moment only to lift my head slowly, meeting his gaze again.

There was something different in his expression now. It was now darker with something I recognized all too well.

Jealousy.

I straightened slightly, my grip tightening around my phone.

“Is there a problem?” I asked, my tone colder now.

He clenched his jaw, but he didn’t look away.

“I asked you a question.”

“And I’m asking you one,” I shot back. “Is it your concern?”

A flicker of something crossed his face.

Frustration, maybe even hurt but I didn’t let it affect me.

“We’re not together anymore,” I continued, my voice steady despite the storm building inside me. “So whatever I do, whoever I see… is none of your business.”

The words hung in the air between us but Hex didn’t back down.

“I can explain,” he said suddenly.

Tilting my head to the side, I let out a short, humorless laugh. “There’s nothing to explain.”

“There is,” he insisted, pushing himself off the car slightly, adjusting his crutches. “Max, just listen to me for a second…”

“No.” I cut in, the word coming out sharper than I intended but I didn’t take it back.

“I don’t want to hear it,” I said, shaking my head.

I knew exactly what he was trying to do.

He was trying to reopen old wounds and drag me back into something I had fought so hard to escape. 

I wasn’t going to let him, not again.

“Max…”

“Stop,” I snapped, taking a step back as he tried to move closer.

The distance between us felt necessary.

“You don’t get to do this,” I continued, my voice rising slightly. “You don’t get to show up after three years and act like we can just talk things out.”

“I’m not acting like that,” he shot back, frustration creeping into his tone now. “I just want five minutes…”

“I don’t have five minutes to spare,” I cut in immediately.

Silence fell again, this one was tense and electric.

His eyes searched mine, like he was looking for something but I gave him nothing because if I did, everything would fall apart.

He took another step forward slowly like he was approaching something fragile.

“Why are you running from me?” he asked quietly.

The question hit harder than I expected.

“I’m not running,” I said, even though we both knew it wasn’t entirely true.

“You are,” he said. “You’ve been running since the moment you got back.”

My chest tightened.

“Maybe I just don’t want anything to do with you.”

“That’s not true.”

His certainty irritated me more than it should have.

“And how would you know?” I bit back, avoiding his gaze.

“Because I know you.”

The words landed between us like a spark and for a second, something familiar flickered but I shut it down immediately.

“You don’t know me anymore,” I said firmly.

His expression shifted slightly at that but he still didn’t step back.

“Then let me,” he said. “Let me get to know you again.” he added, his eyes glistening. 

No, I can't let that happen because getting to know me again meant discovering everything I had been hiding.

“Max please, we can work this out,” he pressed. 

The panic that surged through me was sharp and immediate, forcing me to take another step back.

“Stay away from me, Hex.”

The words came out quieter this time but they carried more weight and for the first time, he hesitated.

Almost immediately, footsteps echoed behind me and relief flooded through me instantly.

I didn’t even have to turn to know who it was.

Adjusting the strap of my bag, I exhaled, my shoulders relaxing just a fraction as I stepped aside slightly. 

“Is everything okay?” Davian asked. 

His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

With my full attention on him now, I nodded quickly then said, “Yeah. Everything’s fine.”

Davian wasn’t looking at me anymore, his gaze had shifted to Hex who was now glaring at him. 

“I think it’s time she has to file a restraining order against you,” Davian said, giving him a pointed look.