Hidden Motives

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The next morning I met James outside the Walsh house. He greeted me and I quickly entered the car. I didn't want to say anything further to Adyline and Mary. I feared I would break down."Let's go?" James asked.

"Um yeah, sure" I responded quietly. It was clear that James was not in the mood to talk. Nor was he in the mood to see me. He had just lost his brother. His brother that I had never even known was his brother. I felt terrible. Rene and Maddox had been so kind to me ever since I had arrived. James had also been a great friend when he visited. I felt like I had just torn their family apart. My problems had hurt them. Just like they hurt the Walsh family. 

James then quickly drove to the FBI's hidden headquarters. This would be my last time seeing this place. 

"I...I'm going to go get his stuff and then we'll go to the airport. Our flight is soon" James mumbled quietly. He then slipped out of the car as I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I could tell from the numbers familiarity that it was Max. I let the call ring out. I did it for his safety.

He called a few more times. Once...twice..three times...four times... I did not answer. But suddenly once the ringing of the phone was silent I felt the urge to call him back. I couldn't leave him in uncertainty and confusion. I loved him too much.

I quickly returned the call and Max answered almost immediately. 

"Zara? Where are you? Are you ok? Why weren't you answering my calls? What's wrong?" he questioned immediately.

His voice comforted me, but his question overwhelmed me. I began crying. "Max I am so sorry, but I have to leave you. I have to leave everything here and I'm sorry. I have to do this for your safety and everyone else's, and I really can't hurt you. I'm not telling you what I am doing because I know how you are. You would chase me if you knew, but you can't. So please listen to me when I say this. I am safe and I love you. Please don't contact me again, I want you to be safe."

The other side of the line was quiet. The silence was the only noise I heard for seconds. "Max?" I sobbed. 

"You were right. I would chase you, and you answering this call was enough for me to find you. I've been looking for you all day. Turn around." Max said before abruptly ending the call. 

I turned around to see Max standing before me. He was wearing a black shirt that was tight on his muscles with black jeans. His hair looked perfectly messy and it framed his enchanting eyes. 

Oh, his eyes. I had loved them since the moment I first saw him. He stared at me for a moment and said nothing. I smiled as tears rolled down my face. He wasn't going to let me do this alone. No matter how hurt he was going to get, Max loved me and I loved him. He wasn't going to let me go and we were in this together. 

"I love you," he said quietly. "What were you thinking trying to leave me? I would never let you do that to me. I'm too selfish to let you go. I was going to find you either way. And I don't know what you're doing, but I'm doing it with you."

I smiled through tears and got out of the car to pull him into a hug. I let his embrace overtake me and I felt at home. I felt safer than ever, even though both of us were about to be in the most danger we had ever faced. "I love you Max Payne and we are in this together. You are coming with me. I am going home to confront my father. I am going to end this once and for all.