A Dangerous Need

Hadley’s POV

Staring into his eyes, I knew my answer in a heartbeat.

Yes. Don’t go. I need you.

Say it, Hadley. Say it before you ruin everything. Say it before he walks out that door and you spend the whole day jumping at shadows like a scared kid. My lips parted. My chest tightened. And then…

“No.”

The word came out soft, but it still felt like a slap.

Dammit.

Maddox didn’t move. Didn’t blink. J