Beach Days

Chapter 15 - Shit Just Got Serious

Clearly I was upset.

Max and I returned to the cottage severly shaken up. I knew Max was a good enough actor to conceal his emotions but this time he didn't even try acting. He had a scowl on his face and his eyes had that stormy thoughtful look again.

It made him look dangerous, and I shivered a little as I remembered Jack Cortez's cold eyes right before he tortured me right in front of my little sister as I pleaded with him.

I didn't plead for him to stop torturing me. No, I had this thing called pride, and I was about to just grit my teeth and bear it when I saw the expression on Lila's face.

I knew she would be scarred for life if I just let him torture me in front of her. But he refused, even after I swallowed my pride to help my little sister.

So I had no choice but to just make sure I didn't scream. I had no choice but to stop the tears from streaming down my face for Lila, but no I couldn't even do that.

I broke when Cortez shot my shoulder then grabbed me and threw me down roughly on the same shoulder. It hurt too much for it to be bearable.

I got through him breaking my bones with just a few whimpers that I made sure to muffle so that it didn't reach Lila's ears, I got through him burning me and running a knife across my lips .

I shook my head hard. I couldn't afford to think about this. I had just barely gotten over Lila's death and Jack's betrayal. Oh who am I kidding, I never got over Lila completely, I just got better at hiding the emotions, at coping wtih the pain.

But no, this murder situation came first.

As soon as we reached Grandma's cottage I made a beeline for my room, slamming the door shut behind me without bothering to say anything to Max.

I immediatley tried contacting my agency boss first, swearing under my breath when there was no signal. That meant I couldn't contact Abby for the time being either, and this storm definitely wans't going away any time soon.

Then something clicked.

And it was not a good sort of click.

Max disappeared for around forty minutes earlier, and gave me the excuse that he was looking for his phone, which was obviously a lie. He always carried that knife, and the dude that died had a knife wound.

I closed my eyes, thinking for a few seconds, then ran downstairs.

"Max could you help me out in the kitchen for a bit?" I asked, and dragging him into the brightly lit kitchen. I hadn't gotten a good look at him since he came back, and this was the best way I could think of.

"Okay..." Max said uncertainly.

"I'm starving, and I can't cook to save my life so could you please cook something? Thanks." I said impatiently, waiting for him to step in.

Max frowned, nodding.

"So we just saw a dead body and you still have an appetite after that?" He said, moving into the light and busying himself looking for something in the fridge.

This was no good, I needed him to be right in front of me where the light was brightest. I needed to see his front, not his back which was all I was currently seeing.

So I did what I was used to doing in these situations. Use my acting skills to my advantage.

"I know, it's just ..." I sniffed as if I was on the verge of tears, and Max whipped around with a bottle of water in his hand. Setting it on the table, he stepped closer to me.

Perfect. Now just a little more ... 

"I've never seen a dead body before and oh God, what if he was murdered? Is it not safe here? What about Abby and Grandma, what if they get attacked on the way home or something?" I cried, forcing tears.

Well, if the pair did get attacked, they would probably beat the shit out of the attacker, but I could hardly mention that to Max now could I?

He came right in front of me, directly under the harsh light. I buried my face in my hands, discreetly looking through my fingers to study him.

Before I got the chance, he pulled me into a hug. One of those hugs that made my heart race despite myself, that gave me a sense of security.

"Shh, it's okay. We don't know if it was a murder, he could have just cut himself on rocks. Let's not jump to conclusions. As for Abby and you grandma - well to be completly honest I'm scared for the lives of whoever decides to get within five feet of them." Max whispered into my ear, rubbing soothing circles on my back.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah, Abby'll probably beat the shit out of them and your grandma is scary without using any violence whatsoever." Max said, and I could tell there was a small smile on his face.

I stepped back, swiping a sleeve across my eyes to wipe my nonexistant tears.

Max didn't back away, but stood there, his hazel eyes studying me and suddenly I felt self conscious, like he knew that the whole crying thing was an act.

"Hey." Max put a hand gently on my cheek. "Things will work out, I promise, so don't worry."

I nodded, but was busy studying him, hoping desperately that I was wrong, especially after that moment that left butterflies in my stomach. I guess there was no point anymore in denying that I had a crush on him.

I finally spotted what I hadn't been able to in dim light due to his black jeans.

Max had blood on his jeans, hastily wiped away.

Put that together with the knife he always carried around and the fact that he lied to me to disappear somewhere ... let's just say things didn't look good for Max at the moment.

Or for myself for that matter.

I had a crush on a possible murderer.

Well, shit just got serious.

A/N: Pretty short chapter today, but important even so.

At least Shannon admitted that she had a crush, even though the timing could have been better. Maybe before she figured out he could be a murderer would have been a better time?

What do you think of the book so far? Do you like it?? We're almost halfway through, there's a whole lot of craziness left to come.

As always thanks for reading, and if you liked this chapter please don't forget to vote and comment.