Page 98 of Vows of Ruin

“I know that too.”

My throat tightens. “I hate waiting.”

Max comes around the island, takes my glass from my hand, then gives it right back once I stop clenching it so hard.

“I know, baby.” he says. “Come on.”

“Where now?”

He nods toward the back doors. “Your tree.”

Something inside me softens. We take our milkshakes outside, toward the old oak tree near the back edge of the garden. The air smells damp and green, the kind of quiet that only exists away from screens and weapons and people trying to decide who lives or dies.

Max sits first, stretching one leg out, then tugs me down beside him. I go willingly, leaning into his chest. For a few minutes, neither of us talks. I sip my milkshake and stare up through the branches. The leaves shift in the breeze, sunlight breaking through in fractured gold.

Max bumps his shoulder against mine. “You’re thinking too loud, this was supposed to relax you.”

“You’re annoying.” I say, but there is no truth behind it.

“Usually.” He says flatly.

I glance at him. “That wasn’t a denial.”

“Sparrow, I know what I am.” He gives me that crooked smile that makes my knees weak. A laugh slips out of me before I can stop it. His expression shifts when he hears it. Not smug. Not teasing. Just… relieved. That makes my chest ache worse.

“I’m worried,” I admit, the words quiet.

Max doesn’t pounce on the confession. He doesn’t tease me for it. He nods once, like I handed him something fragile and he knows better than to squeeze.

“I know.”

“I hate that he’s out there, and we’re here.”

“Liam knows how to handle himself.” He tells me.

I sigh. “I know he does.”

”But knowing doesn’t make it easier.”

I close my eyes for a second. “No.”

Max’s fingers find my fingers in the grass. A comfort. I let my hand relax under his. “They know how to handle what’s in front of them,” I say, like I’m trying to convince myself. “I know that.”

“They do.” Max agrees.

“But what if something goes wrong—”

“Then we go get them.” He interrupts before I can let myself think anything too bad.

I look at him. He meets my eyes without hesitation. “When the three hours are up, if they’re not back or we don’t hear from them, we go. No argument.”

I swallow hard. “You’d do that?”

His brow lifts. “Sparrow.”

Right. Of course he would, we’re family. Before I can answer, the back door opens. Margot steps out first, Elias right behind her. One look at their faces, and the soft little pocket of calm Max carved out for me collapses. Max is on his feet before I am.

“What did you find?” he asks.