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I push through the wall of people as my name rings out a second time. Through the horde, I see him reach for me. I take his hand and let him pull me through until I’m pressed against him.
He buries his face in my neck. “I couldn’t do it.”
“It’s okay.”
“I'm so sorry. I ruined everything.”
I lean back and rest my hand on his cheek. “We’ll figure it out.”
“Jace. Nice work.” Jimbo’s voice drives a wedge between us. “For a second, I thought we were going to lose our champion.”
Jace smiles, but the sadness in his eyes doesn’t waver. In winning the fight, he runs the risk of losing much more in return. “Wait for me,” he says as Jimbo takes him away.
The crowd thins the longer I wait. Jace disappeared into the back over an hour ago and has yet to emerge. I glance at the time on my phone, then into the black maw of the locker room opening. What the hell’s taking him so long?
I step over the threshold with a tentative creep. “Jace?” The low sound of my voice is greeted with a grunt. My heart stops. Bloody carnage mars Jace’s face. Robbie and Peter hold him by the arms, a crucifixion on metal, with Troy at the helm.
“Troy!”
They swing their heads toward the sound of my shriek. Green flames of hatred burn in Troy’s eyes. “Get out of here, Ellie. This doesn’t concern you.”
My heart sinks at the realization there is nothing I can do. This is my fault, and I can't fix it. I should have listened to Jace from the beginning. I should have trusted his warnings. He was right about everything. Troy McNamara is just another ruthless monster.
Before I can stop myself, I fly toward Jace. I'm met by a hard body and slam to the floor. "Seriously, Ellie? Are you that fucking stupid?"
“Let him go, Troy.” My voice is stronger than I thought it would be as I look up at the grinning bastard.
"I don't think so. This is unresolved business. You need to back away and leave."
“Or what? You’re gonna have your guys hold me down so you can beat me up, too?”
"If that's what it takes to get my point across, then so be it. Your worst mistake was following your lover boy in here. This isn't going to end well for you, either."
A whimper bleeds off my tongue as Robbie grasps my arm. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't want to be the one to do this."
His hands tug on my jeans as Troy saunters toward me. "I'm going to finish what I started, Ellie. Jace can't help you now bitch."
I struggle against Robbie, fear clouding my judgment. I look toward Jace, and he lifts his head enough I can see his eyes turn fierce. It triggers something within me. A power that’s been welling up inside me.
I throw all my body weight back and jab my elbow into Robbie’s throat. He releases his grip, his hands springing to his neck. Turning, I jam my knee into his groin, and he goes down. "You fucking bitch," he croaks out as one hand holds his junk and the other balls in a fist.
I turn my head quickly as I hear movement behind me. "I'm going to enjoy this." Troy grabs me by the scalp and drags me backward. He yanks at my jeans as he looks up at Jace, still bound in Peter’s hold. "You’re going to fucking watch every last minute of this." His malicious grin causes bile to rise in the back of my throat. “And as soon as I’m finished with you, I’m going to make sure my father cuts off your cheap whore of a mother next. By the time I’m done, I’ll have fucked all three of you.”
“You’ll do no such thing.”
Troy freezes. “Dad. What are you doing here?”
Mr. McNamara stomps farther inside the room. “How dare you threaten these people?”
“I can explain.”
“Oh, I think I’ve heard all I need to hear, but this is what’s going to happen. You’re going to drop the charges against Jace, you’re going to keep your distance from Ellie, and as far as me cutting off Cindy, well, the only person I will be cutting off is you.”
Troy blanches. “What? You can’t do that!”
“I spoiled you. I gave you everything you ever wanted, and in return, you cast a blight on the McNamara name. I’m done cleaning up your messes, son. You’ve gone too far. From this moment forward, you’re on your own.” He turns his angry glare on Robbie and Peter next. “I’m sure your parents would love to hear about this little stunt, too.” The pair hangs their heads in shame. “Go home. Troy, wait for me in the car.”
“I have my own car.”
