ANITA

The jet back home felt smaller than before. I sat between Maddox and Festus, their bodies bracketing mine like shields. The new message glowed on my phone screen, mocking every promise we had just made to each other.

Maddox took the phone and powered it off completely. “No more. We’re done playing their game.”

Festus nodded, his hand resting on my thigh, thumb stroking slow circles. “We go to the police. Or we disappear. But you’re not going to anyone alone.”

I leaned my head on Maddox’s shoulder. “I don’t want to run. I want this. Us. For real.”

The words felt heavy but right. For the first time...