Page 195 of Between Secrets and Obsession

I grab Liam’s arm. “Liam, stop.” He tightens his grip and narrows his eyes at JJ. I panic and squeeze my fingers around Liam’s bicep tighter. “Hulk.” I emphasize his nickname through gritted teeth. “He’s not worth it. Drop your hands.”

I finally break through Liam’s anger, and he releases him, pushing away from JJ. Liam takes my hand and creates distance.

JJ clears his throat and grabs his neck, then forces out words. “Better save your energy. You’ll need that rage to fight.”

“What the hell did you say?” Liam spins around, seething.

“You want to pay me back? You want me to disappear?” JJ asks in a taunting tone but doesn’t wait for Liam’s answer before he continues. “One fight in an underground ring. You win, and you’ll be debt free.”

Liam glares at him. “Have you lost your goddamn mind? I’m not fighting for you.”

“Then expect more shit to blow up,” he deadpans. “I’ll make sure there’s more than a cut on your precious girl’s head next time.”

Liam’s jaw clenches, and I squeeze his hand to keep him from charging JJ again. He’s trying to rile up Liam, and it’s working.

“How can I trust you? How do I know this will really be over then?”

JJ stuffs his hands into his pockets, shrugging. “You have no other choice than to trust me. The fight is on New Year’s Eve. Be ready because you’ll be fighting for your life.Literally. The guys who get inside the ring fight for blood. And if you don’t do it or try to run again…well, you’ll see. You’ll lose things that can’t so easily be replaced.”

JJ looks at me, and his steel blue eyes feel as if they’re cutting through my flesh. The insinuation is obvious. I’m his next target.

JJ doesn’t wait for an answer from Liam before he walks away. Then over his shoulder, he calls out, “Start training. I’ll be in touch soon.”

Liam watches him and then once the black BMW peels away, he tells me to stand back as he cranks his truck. We all have PTSD from the G-Wagon exploding. After it’s started, he opens the door for me, and I climb inside, my hands and legs shaking. I’m confused, and I’m riddled with anxiety over all this.

“You can’t do this, Liam.”

He backs out of the driveway, and we go to the main office to turn in the keys to the cabin. “I don’t think I have a choice, baby.”

I shake my head, not wanting any of this to be happening. “No. You could get hurt or…” I can’t even bring myself to say it.

Parking the truck in front of the building, Liam turns to me, anger taking over. “He burned down my parents' house. He’s obviously the one who blew up the G-Wagon. JJ is responsible for it all. If he’s already done that, then what’s he capable of next? I can’t keep living my life in fear, Maddie, or risk morepeople in my life getting hurt. I can’t worry that every day I leave you, something terrible will happen while I’m gone. You’re my everything, and I want to protect you. I’ll train for this stupid fight if it means keeping you safe, and I’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that.” A ragged sob escapes me as I cover my mouth, trying to swallow down my fears. He’s trying to reassure me he’ll be okay, but I’m not so sure this time. His life was spared last time, but what if he’s not so lucky next time?

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

LIAM

I tryto change the subject on our way home, but my mind is reeling. I’m so livid and grasping the steering wheel so tightly, my fingers go numb.

Too many puzzle pieces snap together as I replay everything that’s happened since the divorce. Stupidly, I thought I wouldn’t be connected with the O’Learys, but all bets are off. Victoria wasn’t lying when she said she didn’t blow up the G-Wagon, and I’m half-tempted to call her and let her know it was her idiot brother, but what use would it be? She hates me just as much and would probably only encourage JJ’s behavior to hurt me and the people I love.

Maddie was hospitalized because of the explosion, and he probably wouldn’t care if it’d been worse. The rage I felt when I saw him outside of our cabin reappears, and Maddie notices.

“Liam, you’re doing that thing you do when you’re about to lose your shit,” she says with concern. I glance over at her and try to take deep breaths to calm down. She’s the only person on this planet who can bring me back to reality and settle my nerves.

I arch a brow. “What thing?”

“Your shoulders tense, your eyes narrow, and your lips twitch. You look as if the Hulk is gonna break out and start smashing people.”

I give her a confused look.

“Please tell me you’ve watchedThe Avengers.”

This causes me to chuckle. “I’ve seen bits and pieces of it but never sat through all of them.”

Her mouth falls open. “What? Okay, add all the Avengers to our movie list.”