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It takes no time before we’re checked in and taking the elevator up to our room. Once we step in, I fall back on the bed and let out a loud sigh. Now comes the hard part, texting Tyler and demanding he give me the info I need.
Sophie and Mason sit on the edge of their bed and watch me as I sit up and pull my phone from my pocket. “Now or never,” I say.
Maddie: I need to talk to you, but first of all, don’t tell Liam I’m texting you right now.
His text bubbles immediately pop up.
Tyler: Alright. What’s up?
Maddie: I’m in Vegas. Mason and Soph, too.
Tyler: What? Why?
Before I can respond, Tyler calls, and I pick up.
“Maddie, you cannot be here right now.” He keeps his stern voice low.
“Well, we are. I want to go to the fight, Tyler. I need to be there. I can’t sit around and wait, hoping he doesn’t die. I need to know he’s okay. I need to see it all go down.” I’m talking a million miles per hour, my thoughts a jumbled mess.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not telling you where it is. I vowed to Liam to protect you, and that’s what I’m doing. It’s too dangerous, Maddie. You’ll stick out like a sore thumb around the goddamn mob, and if Liam sees you, you’ll be a distraction he doesn’t need, and it could ruin his chances of beating this fucker. I can guarantee you that I’ll keep you updated with what’s going on. As soon as the fight is over, you’ll be the first person I call. I promise.”
I swallow hard, about to break down in tears. “Tyler…” I choke out. “Please. We’re at the Westgate.”
“Absolutely not. I’m not changing my mind, no amount of begging or crying will work. Stay at your hotel. You’re safe there. Stay that way so then you can be there for him after the fight. We’re leaving in about fifteen minutes, and the fight starts at the top of the hour. I’ll keep my word, Mads. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s over.”
Sophie and Mason continue to watch me, waiting anxiously.
“Okay,” I say, defeated, and we end the call after he reminds me to stay put and out of trouble.
“What’d he say?” Mason asks.
“He won’t tell me where the fight is.” I blink away tears. “Says it’s too dangerous, and I’ll distract Liam if he sees me.”
“Oh, thank God,” Sophie blurts out, holding her hand on her chest over her heart.
I give her a pointed look.
She continues, “Tyler knows best. It is risky for us to be there around that crowd. At least this way, if something happens, we’re not far from Liam. We’ll be able to go see him right away.” Sophie searches my face and smiles, and while I know she’s right, I had an inkling of hope I could be there.
“I probably should’ve known he wasn’t going to crack that easy.” I close my eyes and take in a long, deep breath, then lay my head on my pillow. I’m so fucking scared about the outcome of this fight, and I hate that I have zero control over the situation.
“I honestly didn’t think he’d tell you,” Mason says. “So what are we going to do while we wait? We could walk around the hotel, go gamble a bit, keep our minds busy.”
I look at them. “I’m too on edge to be around people right now. I might stab someone.”
“Maybe we should get you a tranquilizer then,” Sophie suggests with a laugh.
“That’s not a bad idea,” I tell her, somewhat serious because I’m anxious as hell and will be until I get a call from Tyler.
Sophie walks over to me and grabs my hand, pulling me up and forcing me to stand. “Come on, let’s go get a drink and try to have some fun while we’re here.”
There’s no getting out of it because Sophie isn’t going to sit here and let me sulk. The fight could last ten minutes or it could last an hour; I have no idea. I feel as if I’m always counting down to something when it comes to Liam. First, it was my birthday, then the divorce, and now this, his ultimate fate.
As we head to the elevator, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and smile when I see it’s from Liam.
Liam: I love you, baby. I love you so much. I can’t wait to come home and make love to you.
Maddie: I love you and miss you so much. Kick some ass and be careful, Hulk. I want you in one piece, alive.
Liam: I will, Mads. I promise.
We ride down to the bottom floor and go straight to the bar. One shot, that’s all I’ll need to calm my nerves. I send up a little prayer for Liam to be okay tonight, and that this will truly end all affairs with the O’Learys. Liam’s my other half, and I’ll never be the same if something bad happens to him. We’ve been through so much over the years, and now that we’re together, I’m not sure I could survive without him.
