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I pull out my laptop and search for plane tickets to Vegas. I don’t give two shits about how much it costs. I just need to be there before dark. Five hundred dollars later, I have a flight booked that leaves at two o’clock. I pack a carry-on suitcase, then walk into the living room and set it by the door.
Mason is lying on the couch and peers up at me. “Where’re you going?”
I turn and look at him. “Vegas.”
He quickly sits up. “Maddie, what?”
“What?” I play dumb.
“Why are you going to Vegas?” he questions even though he already knows the answer.
“You’re not going to Vegas,” Sophie says as she steps off the bottom stair and walks toward me with creased brows.
I nod. “Yes, I am. I refuse to sit here while Liam is there. I need to be at that fight tonight. I’ve already booked a flight.”
“Mads, you can’t do that,” she tells me, but I know it’s because she’s worried.
“I can and will.” I shrug. “If you’re so concerned, come with me. Both of you. But I’m going with or without you. I have to do this, Soph. I know you understand.”
Sophie looks over at Mason, and they have a silent conversation before she turns to me. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I don’t care,” I say firmly. “My flight leaves at two. I have a few hours before I have to go to the airport.”
Mason goes to Sophie and looks at her. “Liam risked his life for you, and he’s always been there for me over the years. I think Maddie’s right. We need to be there.”
“You’ve both lost it. He’s participating in an underground fight. With mobsters! Fliers won’t be passed around for that. Who’s to say we’ll even know where to go?” She makes really great points, but I’m two steps ahead of her.
“I’ve already figured it out. As soon as I’m there, I’ll text Tyler and force him to give me the address,” I say, pulling my hair into a high ponytail. All of a sudden, it feels hot in here. Mason laughs at my idea and shakes my head, but I ignore him. Tyler will tell me, right? I’ll be persistent.
“Whatcha say, Soph?” Mason grabs her hand.
Her face softens, and she sucks in a deep breath, rolling her eyes. It’s two to one. “Fine. There’s no way I’m letting her go alone.”
I laugh. “There’s my protective big sister.”
“I’ll always be.” Sophie wraps me in a hug. “I don’t care how old you are.”
“Guess we should start packing and searching for flights. Can you send me your reservation info so we can get on the same one?” Mason asks. I pull out my phone and forward my confirmation email.
“Did you already get a room in Vegas?” Sophie asks.
“Not yet. But I’ll book something before we leave for the airport.”
“Perfect.”
The two of them go upstairs to get ready, and I plop down on the couch as a nervous excitement streams through me. I search for hotels and find one that looks nice and is affordable and make a reservation for two double beds, though we’ll barely be there tonight.
After Mason and Sophie are ready, we decide to drive to the airport early since we’ll probably run into holiday traffic. On the way over, we chat about random stuff, but my thoughts are in another place as I try to rehearse what I’m going to say to Tyler once we’re there. I already know he’s going to be pissed, but it’s my right to be there.
Just as I expected, we’re nearly bumper to bumper miles from the airport because of a stupid wreck. Traffic slows us down nearly an hour.
After we park and go through security, we have an hour to eat before boarding starts. I’m half-tempted to order a large margarita at the restaurant but decide against it, knowing I need to be in a good headspace when we land. Eventually, it’s time for us to line up, and I’m anxious about the whole situation. After reading Liam’s letter, I know this is the right thing to do, but I’m still nervous.
Sophie notices my fidgeting and places her hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“I hope so,” I tell her as we walk down the jetway, then find our seats on the plane. We take off, and I watch out the window as Sacramento drifts away, and the buildings below look like Lego pieces. Somehow, I fall asleep, and I’m being woken up when the wheels touch down on the runway. It hits me in full force that we’re here, and all of this is really happening. There’s no turning back now.
I’ve never been to Las Vegas before, and if I were here for any other reason, I’m sure I’d have an incredible time watching all the shows and walking down the Strip. We Uber to the hotel, and I can’t seem to stop staring out the window. Everything looks like a large movie set with all the bright lights and tall buildings.
