And I’ve never seen someone hold a gun like Max, never seen that expression in someone’s eyes. It’s the same expression I saw on him back in the basement when he saved me. Dark, cool. Prepared. There’s no way he’s going to mess this up.
There’s a beat, though, and Max delays. I poke my head out from around him, curious as to what’s happening, and I see Felix throw his arms up in a gesture of surrender, his eyes going even bigger behind his spectacles. His mouth falls open and he stops short, staring at Max’s gun.
“Whoa! Saint-merde! I come with bad news, but don’t shoot the messenger!” he squeaks, shaking his head vigorously.
Max lowers the gun and places it back in the holster at his hip, under his jacket. Somehow I hadn’t even noticed it there, despite the fact that I’ve been with him almost every second for the past few days. I suppose that’s why he’s so good at this: years and years of experience have taught him how to be subtle. It would be terrifying if I was on the other end of it, but from where I’m standing, it’s a godsend. Having Max on my side is encouraging in all kinds of ways. I know I don’t have to be afraid when I’m with him. He can protect the both of us better than anyone else can.
Felix comes trudging over, shrugging off his former terror and adopting an air of casual detachment, as usual. Max asks, “You said you have bad news. Anything to do with the fact that this place is dead empty?”
The younger man nods, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. “Oh yeah. There’s nobody here because the party has traded up venues. The signal’s moved.”
“To where?” Max questions, ready to jump into action. He reaches over to take my hand, preparing to run. It warms my heart to see just how naturally he reaches for me — like I’m second nature to him now, already. And it’s true. Being with him, following him around, being at his side… it all feels right. Like I’m supposed to be here, and my whole life has just been one long waiting period, the calm before a beautiful, impossible storm.
And I know what I’m doing is dangerous, and he doesn’t want me in the thick of it. Maybe being so close to death has made me more fearless, or maybe knowing that I need to save Maggie from an awful fate is what’s pushing me forward.
Or maybe it’s simply what I said to Max. I want to keep him safe, like he’s been keeping me safe.
“Don’t get too excited. I’ve got more bad news,” Felix quips, holding up one finger. “The phone must be dead. The signal disappeared while I was tracking it, so I can only assume it ran out of juice or someone caught on and turned the damn thing off. I have no idea where they went, Max. I’m sorry.”
For once, there’s no note of derision or sarcasm in his voice. Felix knows what a blow this is, how truly screwed we are now. Max looks down, his dark brows furrowed. I squeeze his hand gently, watching his face. Finally, he looks back up, takes a deep breath, and shrugs.
“Well, est' shto est'. We can’t stay here and wait on the off chance they’ll come back. Our best bet right now is just to go somewhere safe and wait for more information,” he says gravely.
“Where will we go? Back to the cottage in the country?” I ask, gazing up at Max.
He’s deep in thought. Felix and I wait patiently for him to answer.
Finally, he says, “No. I don’t want to go that far this time, just in case they’re closer to the city. I want to be ready. Besides, it’s late. We need to go somewhere to rest, and the cottage is a long drive from here. I’ll get us hotel rooms. You, too, Felix.”
“D’accord! We can spend the night strategizing! I’ve got an idea for —”
Max holds up his hand to stop him, shaking his head. There’s a slightly bemused smile pulling at his lips. “No, you’ll have your own room.”
Felix looks back and forth between the two of us, realization dawning on his face. He looks a little put-out, but he plays it off like it’s nothing. “Oh. Yeah, yeah. Bien sûr,” he quips, waving it off.
“How did you get here? Taxi?” Max asks, starting to head toward the exit. Felix and I stride after him, trying to keep up.
“Yeah.”
“Good. You’ll ride with us now to the hotel.”
“What hotel?”
Max’s face breaks into the first genuine, unabashed smile I’ve seen on his face for a while. He glances across at me, those bright green eyes flashing. “I think we’ve all had enough stress to warrant some, ah, more comfortable accommodations.”
Felix lights up. “Free Wi-Fi, I assume?”