Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6, Abigail Grant [best thriller books to read txt] 📗

Liam rolls his eyes and turns to ask me if I’d like to go dance some more. I look up at him and pause at his question because this all seems so familiar. Oh no! No, no, no!

With my confusing afternoon with Gavin, apologizing to Kassy and dealing with Liam’s outburst, I have completely forgotten about my vision as if it was some lost dream. It was the whole reason I ended up in Gavin's arms in the first place, and why I need to find my best friend, now.

I suddenly feel nauseous, thinking about what might happen tonight and begin to panic. I look over to where Kassy was moments ago to tell her we need to leave but, just as I feared, she has already left with Max.

I bolt away from Liam and the bar and push through the sweaty crowd of dancing people before turning the corner to the back exit. Max already has his large hands around Kassy's neck so I immediately throw myself at him like I saw Liam do in my vision. Me being half his size, I barely hit him hard enough to make him step backward and release Kassy.

As if I had just given him a gentle shove, he spins around, unfazed, and grabs my throat instead. I use my short fingernails to claw at his hands that are squeezing my windpipe like a balloon about ready to pop. I can feel the flesh from the back of his hands scrape away but it does nothing to stop his attack. I search his eyes which are emotionless and dead like his consciousness isn't even inside himself.

My vision quickly begins to fog from the tears stinging my eyes and I feel as if my lungs are about to rip. I know I can hear screaming, but I start to feel disoriented until a blur of black shadow slams into Max's side. The blow makes him fly backward and hit the wall opposite us, leaving a hole in the drywall. I have no control over my legs and instantly drop to the floor in a heap, gasping and choking on air as it floods my starving lungs.

“It's okay, El. I've got you, just keep breathing, okay?” Kassy is at my side, sweeping the hair away from my face with one hand and rubbing my back with the other.

I try to ask her if she is okay, but it only comes out as a barely audible whisper that burns my throat, causing me to cough more.

She shushes me and starts crying. “I'm fine, you got to me just a second after he grabbed me. I doubt I'll even have a bruise.” She sniffles through her flow of tears. “You could've died, El. And this is not just me being dramatic this time.”

“I know, but I had to stop him. You're my other half and I can't lose you.” My voice is raspy but louder this time.

Kassy smiles softly at me through thick tears and it falters when we both hear a low growl. I look down the dark hallway and see the guy who saved me at the party last weekend. I can only see his intimidating back heaving, but he is still dressed from head to toe in all black and guarding us against a very confused Max sitting on the floor.

Max looks at us like he is seeing us for the first time tonight. “I uh... I don't know what happened. Did I just...?” He looks from Kassy to me and runs shaky hands through his disheveled hair. “I'm...”

Liam alerts us to his presence when he steps next to Kassy and I and cuts him off before he can finish. “You're nothing!” He roars at Max. “Get out of this club right now and never look in my friend’s direction again.” Max doesn't move so Liam steps closer and yells a second time. “Now!”

Max stands and makes his way back to the front of the club without another word. I turn back to my savior, for the second time in the past week, to see his back still toward me and his fists clenched tight by his sides. He starts to turn in my direction but quickly turns back and leaves through the back exit, never showing us who he really is.

Liam, Kassy and I just look at each other for a long moment before Liam pulls me into a tight hug. “Should we call the cops? Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital?” He throws questions at me, concern lacing his voice.

“I will be fine, soon. When you stop squeezing my ribs.” I chuckle quietly.

Liam gasps and releases me. “I'm so, so sorry! I’m going to call the cops and let them know what happened here.”

I shake my head, sure that somehow Max wasn’t the one responsible for what happened here. “You're fine, Liam, and I'm alright. I just need some fresh air. Don’t call anyone yet. I honestly believe Max didn’t know what he was doing for some reason. Maybe he needs some kind of help other than jail.”

Kassy speaks up. “I agree. He just changed in a second.”

“Liam, see to Kass. Max had his hands on her neck before I took her place. I will meet you guys out front in a few minutes.” I rasp out the words before picking myself up off the floor and pulling Kassy with me. Liam stands with us and watches Kassy with sad eyes.

“Do you know that guy, El? The one who saved you?” she asks me, still sniffling.

I shrug. “I'm not sure, but I can't let him leave without thanking him. I should hurry.” I let go of her and head toward the exit.

I glance back before going through the exit door and see Kassy's feet leave the floor as she is wrapped up in a bear hug from Liam. He whispers something in her ear which only makes her cry harder. I