Page 120 of The Darkest Hour

“I. . .I am talking about getting out of here—”

“But, you want me to chase you down too—”

“No, Havoc, because you’re coming with me. There will be no need to run.”

“Is that what you think?”

“You’re going to come with me.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because. . .I want you to. . .” I pursed my lips.

He studied me. “Don’t do that.”

“What am I doing?”

“Enticing me with your body while making your face innocent.”

“You’re the one that took my bra and panties off—”

“Then, perhaps you need to put them back on.”

“Come with me, Havoc.” I stepped forward. “Please.”

He sneered again. “The weather’s changing. I can smell rain on the horizon, and it’s going to be a heavy one.”

“And. . .if it rains, it will wash away the last evidence we have of those prints. We might lose our only lead!”

“We need to be smart about this. If the storm hits and we’re out there, we could get caught in it. We should head back south to the shelter and wait the storm out. Then, we can explore tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow might be too late. This could be our only chance to figure out what’s going on. Don’t you want to know who’s been here? What they want? If they know a way off this island?”

Havoc’s expression softened. “I already told you. . .I could stay on this island for the rest of my life as long as it is with you.”

My heart swelled, making it difficult to gather my thoughts.

He continued, “This island. . .it’s dangerous, but it’s also ours, in a way. We’ve made it through so much already. If we have to stay here, if this is where our story ends, then I’d rather face it together, on our terms.”

His words hit me like a wave, almost washing over my resolve but for sure leaving me momentarily speechless.

I wanted to argue, to push back, but there was a truth in his words that I couldn’t deny.

“Eat your food, Onyx. . .please.”

I let out a long breath. “But what if there’s more?”

“More?”

“What if this isn’t where our story ends? What if there’s a way off this island, a way to go back to the world we left behind?”

Havoc chuckled. “I left behind a bounty where deadly assassins were trying to kill me every day. I’m happy to say goodbye.”

“Well. . .I have my brother and. . .while I barely see or talk to him. . .I don’t want him to think that I am dead and now he is walking this Earth alone.”

Havoc turned his gaze to the ground.

“I know that. . .you don’t think it is important, but—”

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