A Criminal Kiss [Max Verstappen]

chapter twenty seven

The moon was high in the sky when I found him, standing by the school; his house. Max's back was to me, his head tilted as if he was listening to the soft hum of the night. He didn't turn at the sound of my footsteps, but I knew he heard me. The stillness in his frame told me so. His hands were stuffed into his coat pockets, and for a moment, I hesitated, unsure of what I would say or how I could possibly convince him.

But I had no choice.

"Max," I called softly.

He turned at the sound of my voice, his sharp features thrown into relief by the lantern hanging nearby. His blue eyes softened, but only for a moment. Then his expression closed off, as though he knew exactly why I was there.

"Annalise." His voice was steady, but there was an edge of weariness to it.

I stepped closer, wringing my hands. My words felt stuck in my throat, too big to say and too important to leave unsaid.

He exhaled deeply, his blue eyes, sharp and clear as ice, locked onto mine once more.

"Annalise," he said, his voice low and calm. There was something about the way he said it that made my chest tighten, like he could see right through me. "What are you doing out here? You shouldn't—"

"I don't care what I should or shouldn't do," I cut him off, the words spilling out before I could stop them. My voice cracked, trembling with desperation. "I can't stay here, Max. I can't do this."

He pushed off the doorframe, his stance suddenly alert. "What's wrong?"

I hesitated, my fists clenching at my sides as I tried to steady my breath. "My father," I began, my voice wavering. "He's... he's arranged for me to marry someone. I don't have a choice anymore. The engagement is being announced in two days."

"Oh. Annie," his expression didn't change, but I caught the way his jaw tightened. "I'm so sorry," he carefully pauses before continuing, "But you've known this was coming," he said carefully.

"Not like this," I whispered. "I've been fighting it, stalling, hoping he'd change his mind. But he hasn't, and now—" My voice broke. "Max, I can't do it. Please, take me away from here. Let's leave tonight. Please, I can't stay here," I began, my voice trembling. "I can't go through with this."

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "You shouldn't be here right now. Beacuse you're technically engaged now, if anyone sees us—"

"I don't care who sees us," I cut him off, my voice cracking. "I can't do this, Max. I need to leave—tonight. With you."

His gaze hardened, and he took a deliberate step back. "Annalise, don't."

"Why not?" I demanded, my voice rising. "You don't understand. He's forcing me to marry someone I don't even love, someone I don't—" I broke off, my chest tightening. "Max, I can't. Please. Just take me away from here."

A silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. Max stared at me, his eyes searching mine for something I couldn't name.

"Annie," he said softly, taking a step closer. "You don't know what you're asking."

"I do," I insisted, my voice rising. "I'm asking you to save me. I don't care where we go or what happens as long as I'm not trapped in this life. As long as I'm with you."

He shook his head, a faint, bitter smile tugging at his lips. "It's not that simple."

"Why not?" I demanded, my voice breaking.

He shook his head, his expression unreadable. "Where would we go? What would we do?"

"Anywhere!" I cried. "Anywhere but here. I don't care where we go, as long as we're together."