With Love And War- Book Five In The United Series

Chapter Fourteen

-Two Days Later-

Max's POV:

Rex and I are finally in Indiana and we're heading towards Chicago in a stolen car. Don't look at me, it was Rex's idea. Definitely Rex's idea. Totally.

I'm driving quickly down the highway towards Illinois and Rex looks at me like I'm insane.

"Has anyone told you that you are a crazy driver?" He tells me and I chuckle.

"I've heard that before," I reply as we finally cross the border of Illinois and Indiana. I take a deep breath as I fly past hundreds of cars, hoping that I don't get stopped by the police. I don't exactly have a license, so...

About two hours later, Rex and I are in Chicago. Rex is looking out the window, scanning the tall skyscrapers as we head towards the John Hancock building. Hopefully everyone is still there, maybe checking the tablet and noticing that I'm here.

I speed through the empty streets, barely using the brake, even as we turn corners. I bet Nine can hear the engine of our car from his penthouse.

I take one last turn and slam my foot onto the brake as we stop in front of the John Hancock building. I turn off the engine and get out of the car, Rex following me.

"They live on the 100th floor," I inform Rex just as I hear footsteps running towards me. I look at the John Hancock tower and see John sprinting towards me, smiling warmly yet with a still heartbroken face.

"Max! We were so worried about you!" John exclaims, wrapping me in a bear hug. I hesitantly hug him back, feeling a bit tense around him.

"John, get away from her," a tough female voice orders. We break apart from our awkward hug and I look back to see Six aiming a pistol at my head. I take a step back, my arms out in front of me as Six cocks her gun.

"Six, what are you doing?" Marina asks cautiously, looking worried. I glance at the small crowd of Garde that gathered around us, tentatively glancing at Six and I.

"It's not Max," Six answers bluntly. Everyone stares at me, wide-eyed.

"Six, what are you talking about?" I ask her.

"Look at her neck. At the scar," Six tells the others. I freeze up as I remember the scar Phiri Dun-Ra gave me with the Voron noose, which I now have in the waistband of my jeans. I look around at the Garde and notice that they're backing away from me and slowly pulling out their weapons.

"No, I'm not Setrákus Ra, I swear. A Mogadorian gave me this scar, with this," I explain, pulling out the Voron sword. I hear Nine growl at my new weapon.

"Where did you get that?" He barks, glaring down at me. I'm shocked by his sudden harshness towards me. Well, he does think I'm his worst enemy, so I don't really blame him.

"I stole it. Let me prove to you I'm not Setrákus Ra. What's something he would never do?" I ask them and they begin to slowly put their weapons down. Nine chuckles darkly.

"He wouldn't kiss a Garde, I know that," Nine replies in a teasing way but Eight raises an eyebrow.

"You could do that. I mean, your boyfriend is right there," Eight replies, gesturing to John, who freezes up.

"Oh. Yeah, um, about that..." John starts, looking at me hopelessly. I take a deep breath before finishing for him.

"We broke up," I finish simply. They stare wide-eyed at me, shock on their faces. Apparently they forgot they're supposed to be glaring and pointing their weapons at me.

"When?" Marina asks me, shocked.

"After the truth serum," I answer. There's a long pause of silence before Ella speaks up.

"Well, at least we know it's Max, right?" Ella chuckles nervously and I give her a weak smile.

"Okay, let's head back in," Nine tells everyone then heads back to the John Hancock building with everyone but John, Rex, and I following.

"That was very confusing," Rex tells John and I. John reaches for his dagger when he sees a Mogadorian but I quickly stop him.

"This is Rexicus Saturnus. He's with us. He helped Adam get to the Chimeræ at Plum Island." I inform John, very aware of my hand on his to stop him from grabbing his dagger and stabbing Rex. John sighs and lets his guard down.

"Rex, this is John Smith, Number Four. John, this is Rex. He's helping us," I inform the two, who nod their heads and glance at each other.

Without another word, John, Rex, and I head back to the John Hancock. We ride the elevator to the 100th floor where Percy, Reyna, and Conrad hug me until I almost suffocate to death.

I introduce everyone to Rex and apparently he does know Adam, because they smile at each other and Adam introduces Rex to the Chimeræ he helped save.

I sigh at my crazy family and friends until I feel a warm hand on my shoulder. I turn around and see Leo smiling warmly at me. I smile back and hug him, wrapping my arms around his sides. Leo chuckles and fiddles with my hair.

"I love you, Max. I don't care if you're still dating John. I love you," Leo whispers to me, now softly stroking my hair. I shake my head at him.

"I'm not dating John," I reply simply. Leo softly pulls me back by my shoulders, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Wait, did you-" he starts but I finish it for him.

"Yeah, I broke up with him," I reply. Leo stares me in the eye, looking sad yet hopeful at the same time.

"Okay," he responds with, then nods his head. "Okay." Then he leans in closer to me and gives me a long, soft kiss on my forehead. When he pulls away, he places his forehead on mine. Butterflies fly wildly in my stomach and I feel like my heart's about to burst from my chest.

"I'm not going to rush into things. I'm going to let you get over this first. Whenever you're ready," Leo tells me then walks away, smiling warmly. I feel ready to pass out when I hear Annabeth call to me from behind.

"You need me to catch you?" She asks me teasingly.

"Please," I reply then fall back. Annabeth catches me and laughs, placing me on the floor. She sits in front of me, smiling sadly.

"You broke up with John?" She asks me, looking at me with a solemn face. I shrug my shoulders.

"You heard it yourself. I'm not happy with him," I reply. Annabeth sighs then looks towards Leo, who's talking seriously with Percy. I furrow my eyebrows as I look at Leo and Percy chatting, but I don't dare eavesdrop on them.

"Leo's a perfect match for you. Remember when you found out something about your quest on the Argo ll and Frank came to check on you, then called Leo over?" Annabeth asks me. I nod my head, confused. "Yeah, I'm sure you wondered why Leo took a little bit longer than he should've?" Annabeth asks and I shrug my shoulders. I did kind of wonder why Leo took minutes just to walk to Percy's room.

"Well, he was about to leave when he turned to Percy and asked for his blessing," Annabeth informs me. I furrow my brows.

"His blessing? For what?" I ask her, though I have a feeling I already know the answer.

"To ask you out on a date," Annabeth answers, smiling. I look back at Leo, who looks like he's asking Percy for something.

"And I'm guessing that's what he's doing now," I respond and Annabeth nods her head.

"If he did ask you out, what would you say?" Annabeth questions me after a few moments of silence between us. I sigh, taking one last look at Leo, who looks extremely excited and grateful as he's thanking Percy for something. I smile warmly at him and nod my head.

"Yes."

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