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He wasn’t wrong. After grabbing my bathroom stuff and some clothes, I went to take care of making myself presentable enough that Max wouldn’t complain.
Even though it was petty and silly, I wanted to go so I could talk to Phoenix. He should have called to check on me. It didn’t sit right that he hadn’t, and I wanted to tell him that.
Max decided to drive after deciding that I looked decent enough to go out in public. When we got to the secret location, which was different from last time, it was pretty much the same, with its dimly lit interior except for the ring and the throngs of people and hard pressing of bodies that made me claustrophobic and shifted me closer to Max as he encircled me with an arm. We were in a good spot so I could see. He’d positioned me behind a few shorter girls, and no one was in front of them. We had such a good vantage point because Max had some friends who’d saved some room for us.
Fighters entered the ring and did their thing. Instead of paying attention, I searched the crowd, looking for a glimpse of Phoenix’s blond head, which would have been above most of the people there. So far, no luck.
Max squeezed me against him then bent so I could hear him. “There he is.”
I followed where he notched his chin. Phoenix. My breath caught in my throat. The overhead light dribbled down the washboard of his abdomen, and for a split second he was frozen at the edge of the ring, like a statue of a god. My pulse raced, thundering against my eardrums. He bent then slid through the ropes and into the ring.
My mind replayed a slice of being with him at the cove, and my lips tingled with the memory of every kiss he had ever given me. His expression was determined, as always, with his brows set straight across his forehead and his jaw flexed.
Something was different, though. His expression was off. He looked… defeated, wary. Maybe apprehensive. I didn’t know who he was fighting, but my stomach twisted because if he was worried, then so was I. I let out the breath I was holding as he bounced on his toes, warming up, shaking his arms out, just like I’d seen him do before every fight.
The announcer did his thing, and the fighters circled each other. Phoenix threw the first punch, and the other guy’s head snapped back from the power behind it. A thrill raced through me. I wouldn’t admit it, but holy hell, it affected me in the most primal way.
When Phoenix turned to look at someone in the crowd, the other guy sucker-punched him then followed with a three-punch combination. My blood turned to ice as he took punches he could have blocked. He took a wide swing and missed. Even his kicks didn’t land with maximum impact.
The crowd sensed something was off, too, and quickly reached pandemonium levels. Max positioned me so I was protected in front of him with two of his friends at my sides when he motioned them close.
Something’s wrong. I couldn’t shake the sense of dread that consumed me. Fear licked up my spine as another hit landed on Phoenix’s jaw, and he stumbled back then down to a knee. He didn’t get it. The announcer counted him off. When he rose after the fight was called, he swayed, almost falling over.
My eyes misted with tears. I had to make sure he was okay. I tugged on Max’s arm. “We have to go to the back. I need to see him.”
His friends shifted, and I dragged Max through the crowd, which was already engaged in watching the next fight. When we made it to the hallway that led to the locker rooms, or the space they use for changing and getting ready, I caught a glimpse of a big blond guy in a group of three large men. I recognized Phoenix, Shane, and an older version of them. He had to have been their dad.
Shane and Phoenix were yelling at each other. Phoenix pushed Shane into the wall then went into the room and slammed the door so hard it sounded like the roof would collapse.
We inched forward as Shane followed his brother. The older man just stood there, and I didn’t understand why—it seemed like he should try to stop his sons from killing each other.
“We shouldn’t be here.” Max took my wrist and tried to pull me back.
I shook him off. “I need to be here.” I couldn’t explain it, but something was wrong, and I had to help Phoenix. I rushed toward the door, stepped in front of their dad, and shoved it open. I took one step inside before pain exploded in my head and the world went black.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
PHOENIX
Holy fuck! Goddammit, Shane. I swung at him. He’d ducked. My fist hit Aspen, and she crumpled. Shane pivoted fast, grabbing her at the same time as Max. They’d kept her from hitting the ground. But my world had already crashed and burned.
I hit Aspen. Fear had me in a chokehold. All I could think about was what I’d done and how hurt she could be. I took Aspen from Shane and Max, who resisted at first, and cradled her body to my chest. The punch had been meant for Shane and had come with some power.
I held her close and glared at my brother. I couldn’t believe that cocksucker brought our fucking dad to the fights. If anything happened to Aspen… I couldn’t go there.
Max was the first to speak. “She should go to the hospital.”
I clipped a nod. He was right. “Where’s your car, Shane?” He could drive so I could hold her. I needed to feel her in my arms and take care of her.I fucking hurt her. It hadn’t been my intent, but the damage was done. Blood leaked in a small stream from her nose, which was swelling. A hint of darkness shadowed her eyes.
“My Jeep is close to the side door,” our sperm donor said.
“I’ll meet you there.” Max had already turned and was dashing in the opposite direction, probably to where he’d parked. I saw the judgment on his face. It didn’t matter. Nothing but Aspen being okay mattered. He must have had the same thought.
We burst through the door. I felt very little of the damp, cold air but couldn’t help but worry that she felt everything. I tried to pull her closer, wanting to share my body heat with her.
Darkness enveloped most of the parking lot except for a few scattered streetlamps. I couldn’t look at my asshole father. Rage simmered beneath fear. My focus had to be on Aspen. I would deal with him and Shane when I knew she was okay, safe and away from whatever fucked-up family reunion this was supposed to be.
She weighed almost nothing. I carried her out the side door to my asshole father’s Jeep, which wasn’t far. Shane grabbed the roll bar and climbed into the front. I sat in the back, holding Aspen. I wasn’t sure I would be able to let her go when we got to the hospital. The doctors would probably have to pry her from my arms.
