Page 220 of Between Secrets and Obsession

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. Itisrisky 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 she’s right, I had an inkling of hope I could be there.

“I probably should’ve known he wasn’t gonna 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’re we gonna do while we wait? We could walk around the hotel, 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. So damn 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 alittle 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.

I don’t even want to think about it.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

LIAM

The flightto Vegas was uneventful. We were delayed for three hours due to mechanical issues, and as I sat there and waited, all I could think about was the look on Maddie’s face when I left.

By the time we landed, I’d asked myself a hundred times if I’d actually lost my mind because it feels like I have. I’m on edge and ready to get this all over with but have to wait nearly twenty-four hours before I can meet up with JJ. That’s when I’ll know where the fight is taking place. It’s hush-hush so the cops aren’t tipped off before the fight starts. The mob doesn’t want any trace that an underground fight ring exists.

Tyler’s told me how much money is on the line, and if I win, JJ will walk away a very rich man. He’ll make ten times as much as I lost, and we’ll finally be even.

After we Uber to Tyler’s house and grab his truck, we check into a hotel on the outskirts of town. Tyler takes a few phone calls outside of the room trying to figure out who my opponent is because it’s still a mystery. There are details about the guy, but no name, which has him concerned, given the circumstances of this fight. At this point, I don’t think it matters who it is, just that I beat the fuck out of him. I should be fighting to kill, but I’drather not take someone’s life if I can win by just knocking him out.

After I get in the ring though, and realize it’s my head or his, I’m sure my opinion will change. I’m already wound up so fucking tight that I can barely sit still.