A Criminal Kiss [Max Verstappen]

chapter thirty eight

I was finally strong enough to leave my bed, but no one was letting me leave the house—tonight that was changing. I needed to see if it was true. If Max really had left me. So once again, I'm sneaking out.

The air was cool and heavy with the scent of damp earth as I crept through the back door of the house. My breath curled in little puffs before me, and the moon cast pale light over the garden as I slipped over the wall, cloaked in my shawl.

I had to find Max.

The streets were quiet, the gas lamps flickering in the stillness. My heart pounded as I approached the small room Max had called his home. It stood dark and silent, the windows lifeless. I hesitated, then knocked softly at the door, willing him to answer.

Nothing.

I knocked again, harder this time. Still no response. A sick feeling churned in my stomach.

"Max?" I called softly, pressing my ear to the door. Silence answered me. I felt an overwhelming sense of deja vu.

I tried the handle, but it was locked. The house felt abandoned, hollow, like the remnants of a life left behind in haste. Despair clawed at my chest as I turned and stumbled back down the steps.

Where could he have gone?

My feet carried me instinctively toward the school, where Max spent most of his time. The old stone building loomed ahead, but as I approached, I realised it too was dark and empty. The door was locked, and the windows showed no signs of life.

"Max, where are you?" I whispered into the night, my voice breaking.

As I turned to leave, a glimmer of warmth in the distance caught my eye. The bar. The low murmur of voices drifted out into the street, and I hesitated for only a moment before making my way there.

The bell above the door jingled softly as I entered, and the warmth of the room enveloped me. Inside, Daniel and Carlos were standing behind the bar, deep in conversation. They looked up as I approached, their expressions shifting from surprise to concern.

"Annalise?" Daniel asked, setting down the glass he'd been polishing. "What are you doing here?"

"I need your help," I said, my voice trembling. "It's about Max. Do you know where he is?"

Daniel and Carlos exchanged a glance, their expressions guarded.

"Why do you want to know?" Carlos asked cautiously.

"Because I need to see him," I said, desperation creeping into my voice. "I've been told he left town, but I don't believe it. Please, if you know where he is, you have to tell me."

Daniel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's... complicated," he said.

"What do you mean?" I pressed.

"He's still in town," Carlos admitted reluctantly, glancing at Daniel for confirmation.

My heart leapt. "Where?"

Daniel hesitated. "Look, Annalise, he's been through a lot. After the fire, things got... difficult for him. He had to leave his house for a while, and he's been laying low."

"Why?" I demanded.

They exchanged another look, both clearly unsure how much to say. Finally, Daniel spoke. "I don't know all the details, but he's staying at my flat for now. It's just down the road from here."

Relief flooded me. "Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Wait," Carlos said quickly. "Are you sure you want to see him? He's... not in a great place right now. And I don't think he's expecting visitors."