The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 408

Chapter 408

Hayley thought for a moment then met Scott’s eyes. “It’s definitely better than eating them raw.”

Gratitude showed in Scott’s striking eyes. “I really can’t thank you enough. If we hadn run into you, we would’ve been trapped in Crestford. If we can’t get out, all of us will be finished.”

“Don’t say that. You’re already doing great.”

Scott shook his head. “You might not understand what things are like at our base. All of us have been trapped in the city. Not a single person has slept peacefully at night. We’re desperate for the outside world. We want to join other bases, rebuild order together, and rely on each other.”

He lifted his head. For the first time, vulnerability appeared in his gentle, nonthreatening eyes.

“Can you help us a little more? Take us out of here.”

When Hayley saw that look, her heart skipped.

That familiar feeling.

She took a deep breath and put on an earnest expression.

“Don’t worry. I promise I’ll help you.”

She agreed quickly and decisively.

Scott’s gentle smile grew deeper, so warm that it could drown someone. “I knew you were a good person.”

“We’re allies. Helping you is a given. Let’s go back and sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll definitely find a way to take more of you out.”

Scott nodded. “You go back first. I’m going to smoke a couple more cigarettes.”

Hearing that, Hayley didn’t linger. She turned and walked back

After she left, she heard a lighter flick. Scott watched her retreating figure, cigarette in his mouth, his smile growing deeper.

Hayley returned to her bedding. Just as she lay down, a dark shape rolled over beside her.

“You’re still up?” she asked.

Griffin lay on his side, his voice lowered to a whisper, his breath soft and husky. “How could I sleep without you?”

“Get lost!” Hayley shoved him away with a slap.

When her hand touched him, Griffin grabbed it. “Captain Gorgeous, you didn’t do something stupid again, did you?

“What do you mean?”

Griffin dropped his usual playful grin and looked at her seriously. “Did you believe what that guy said?”

Seeing his expression, Hayley asked, “So what’s your brilliant take?”

Griffin glanced toward the faint glow of fire behind the trees, leaned close to Hayley’s ear, and whispered so only she could heat

“He’s a liar, Kemember this. Any man who shows you his wounds and begs for help is trying to deceive you. He has an agenda Don’t believe him.”

Hayley looked at Griffin as he said this. “That sounds familiar Are you talking about yourself?”

Griffin froze. “I’m being serious. Don’t trust him. Not a single word ”

“Oh? So I can trust you?”

+15 Bonus

Griffin snapped. “Why are you women all so easy to foul? Where’s your brain? When a man treats you like that, he either wants to get close to you or use you! He’s trying to scam you out of supplies, or worse. Remember this: A normal man would rather hide his wounds. Showing them to a woman is embarrassing.”

Hayley fell silent.

A suffocating feeling crept up.

Griffin was teaching her how not to get scammed.

“Got it?” he asked again.

Hayley paused. “Fine. I get it.”

Griffin glared at her fiercely. “Don’t get tricked by men again. Men are either bad or extremely bad. There’s no such thing as a good one.”

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