Chapter Thirty-One
MADDIE
We’ve been driving for hours, and my back is killing me from sitting for so long, but I’d sit for days if it meant escaping Victoria’s wrath. The only thing I regret is not being able to see her reaction when she learns what Tyler did and that she no longer has a hold on us.
Thinking about it brings an evil smile to my face, but I’m sure Liam will fill me in on her reaction when we’re reunited.
Liam.
Just the thought of him causes my breath to hitch and my body to tingle. Although we’re miles apart, he still affects me. Liam told me he loved me, and I knew with every fiber of my being that he meant it. The words burrowed deep into my soul, implanting themselves on my heart.
Repeating the words back felt so natural, because I do love him.
I’ve always loved him and there’s no denying how I’ve felt for years, but being in love with him is indescribable.
It’s always been more than a stupid little crush, and I knew the first time we met there was a connection that neither of us could explain.
I refused to give up on us regardless of how much he wished I could. Being relentless paid off, but now we’re in a world of a mess, and I’m not sure how we’re going to get out of it.
Liam’s voice was both soft and gruff, and I could hear the concern in his words, but hopefully I was able to ease his mind.
I’m safe now or at least I feel that way, but it doesn’t mean I won’t look over my shoulder to make sure we’re not being followed.
I’ve been through too much to walk around blindly, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to again.
That’s the worst part about this whole thing.
Even if Tyler’s plan works and Liam’s free and we’re able to go home, I’ll never truly feel like this is over.
I’ll still jump at dark shadows and wonder if any of the O’Learys will come and finish the job for her instead.
I know what Victoria is capable of, but I imagine her father is much worse.
Even with the evidence Liam is going to present to her, who knows how she’ll react.
She could shoot him right there, and then I’d be on the run for the rest of my life.
The dark thoughts cause a nervous shiver down my spine.
This will work, I reassure myself. It has to.
As I watch the headlights of the car reveal the narrow road ahead, I get lost in my head and close my eyes.
Eventually the car slows and we roll into a secluded parking lot. I must’ve drifted off because it’s now after seven in the morning and the sun’s up.
“Oh, look. Sleeping Beauty is awake,” Tyler teases. Glancing over at him, I notice how exhausted he is. I feel bad that he drove while I slept on and off.
“Where are we?”
“Portland.”
“Already?” I look back at the clock.
He told me where we were going when we first got on the road, and it seems we’ve made good time, though we’ve been driving for nearly nine hours. We only stopped for gas.
“I have some friends who live here. I trust them with my life, so I thought it’d be the safest place for us.
” Tyler pulls his phone from his pocket and sends a text, then reclines his seat back before he closes his eyes.
At one point, I offered to take over to give him a break, but he refused to let me.
Although I slept for a few hours, I’m still beat. When I open the car door, I get out and stretch. Tyler rolls down the window and barks at me. “What’re you doing? Get back inside.”
“Geez, I need a minute. My limbs feel like jelly.” I stand tall and raise my hands above my head allowing each vertebra to pop before bending over and touching my toes. Quickly, I do a few arm reaches, then get back in the car.
Tyler scowls. “We can’t be too safe right now. I don’t know all of Victoria’s connections, considering who her father is, or when she’ll put a search out for the both of us. Perhaps she has already. The fewer people we come across, the better, because she has the money to have us found.”
I glance around, not seeing a soul in sight. Not even a freaking bird in the sky. “There’s literally no one around us, but okay, I get it. Victoria kinda gave me PTSD too, especially after I found out she had me followed.”
“It makes me even more happy that she’ll be getting a taste of her own medicine soon.
The problem with the O’Learys is no one questions or tests them.
They play by their own rules and laws and aren’t used to anyone retaliating, other than the DeFrancos, which is why they don’t like each other.
Everything’s gonna work out, Maddie, but we have to be smart and not make it too easy for her.
I promise, she has the money to have the entire underworld searching for us by the time the sun sets again.
” Before Tyler can say anything else, his phone buzzes with a text. He opens it and grins. “Finally.”
“What is it?”
He yawns. “We’ve got a condo setup on the other side of town for as long as we need.”
“How do you know all these people who are so willing to help?”
With a lifted eyebrow, Tyler smirks. “It’s probably best if you don’t know the answer to that question.”
I open my mouth, then close it, knowing even if I push him, he won’t crack. Tyler has given me enough information to feel as if I know him, but he’s still reserved and keeps a lot to himself. He’s more like Liam than he even realizes.
Readjusting his seat back to normal, he pulls us onto the main road. I can’t help looking at the tall buildings as we pass. Any other time, I’d want to explore it all and do the touristy type things in the city, but it’s not safe for us to be seen.
We arrive at a complex, and Tyler drives around to the backs. He turns off the car and sighs before looking at me. “Ready to see your new home for a bit?”
“As long as you continue to cook for me,” I taunt.
“We’ll see.”
I follow his lead once he gets out, grabbing our bags from the back seat.
We walk down the sidewalk, and when Tyler punches a code into the door, it unlocks.
Once inside, I’m shocked by how big and nice it is.
This condo is equally as fancy as Victoria’s mansion, but not as large.
It’s an open concept with hardwood floors, a giant TV, sectional sofa, and a loft that oversees the living room.
“Damn…whose place is this?”
He chuckles. “Yeah, not answering that question either.”
“You are literally no fun.”
Tyler sets my bag on the floor, and I explore the kitchen and bathroom.
The fridge is stocked with food, and there are several types of herbal teas in the pantry.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about the cast iron tub that’s connected to the only bedroom.
The master with a king-size bed has a patio with a small flower garden attached to it.
This place is gorgeous, and a selfish part of me wouldn’t mind staying here a while.
“You can have the bedroom if you want,” I tell Tyler when I meet him back in the living room.
“Nah, I’m gonna sleep on the couch. I am a Southern gentleman, after all,” he drawls. “And Liam would kick my ass if I made you sleep on the sofa.” Tyler kicks off his boots, then his phone goes off.
“Fuck yes!”
“What?”
“Liam did it.” Tyler smiles proudly. “He has the laptop with the pictures and audio.”
“Already? That’s great!”
“It’s not over yet, though. Now we have to be patient and wait for him to put everything into motion.
He has what he needs to take her down a few pegs or completely destroy her.
It’s Victoria’s choice. I’d personally destroy her and send it all anonymously to her father without giving her a chance, but I’m letting Liam take the lead on this one. ”
I sit next to Tyler on the couch, knowing we can’t celebrate too soon because this is just the beginning.
“What do you think she’ll do? You don’t think Victoria will hurt him, right?” Every scenario sprints through my mind, and that’s when the worry begins to take over.
“Liam’s one of the most resourceful people I know.
Victoria needs him more than he needs her, and the evidence will drive that home.
She’ll be undoubtedly blindsided when she finds out we escaped, and I’d be lying if I said there won’t be issues regarding that.
Based on what I know about Victoria, she’s gonna lose her shit, but she’ll play it off like nothing happened.
I’m sure she’ll even tell Liam she got rid of you to look like she planned it all because she’s a manipulator.
If it comes to it, I’ll send the shit to her dad myself.
I was tempted more than once, but I’d rather give Liam the opportunity to bargain with her first. The two of them might be able to find common ground where everyone wins here. ”
“Is it possible to ever walk away from the O’Learys, though?” I challenge.
Tyler sucks in a deep breath and exhales it slowly.
“That I don’t know. She’s a spoiled brat and unpredictable, but she’s been sleeping with the son of her father’s mortal enemy and is pregnant with DeFranco DNA.
It’s disrespectful to the family name and a stab in the back to her father.
It’s an unforgivable offense, so she really has no other option but to do what Liam says.
“While I was being trained, I overheard that Johnny shot his own brother for doing some shady shit, and he put a bullet in both his arms and thighs as a warning. Then he left him to bleed until someone finally took him to the hospital. He needed surgery and was hospitalized for months. His own fuckin’ brother.
One of the other guards said Johnny only went to visit him to remind him where his loyalty better stay or next time the bullet will be in his head.
He’s a goddamn monster, so tell me, what makes his daughter safe from his wrath on something as bad as sleeping with the enemy and getting pregnant?
She isn’t. Relatives will want blood and will want an example made out of her, pregnant or not.
The fact that Victoria’s children will be half of them and half DeFranco means she better fucking run to avoid her father’s retaliation.
He’s cold and merciless. If she wants to protect herself, the babies, and Mickey, she’d be smart to do anything Liam says. ”
The thought makes bile rise up my throat.
While I despise Victoria, she is pregnant, and it’s disgusting to think someone would hurt a woman carrying not one but two babies.
Then again, the O’Learys are despicable people.
It doesn’t surprise me, though. This isn’t a life I know, and I’ve been thrust into it without warning.
I close my eyes and say a silent prayer, hoping Liam’s careful and that it all works out in our favor.
Tyler yawns again, and I move, allowing him to fully stretch out on the couch. “You should get some sleep, Beanstalk.”
Leaning back, he adjusts a throw pillow and grabs a small blanket that doesn’t fully cover his body. “I’m just gonna nap for a few hours.”
“Sounds good. I think I’m gonna do some yoga and meditate. I’m overly anxious and won’t be able to rest anyway.”
He nods, closing his eyes. “Just don’t go outside or get into any trouble. If my phone rings, and it’s Liam, answer it. He’s gonna check in later if he can.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be a good girl,” I tease. “Tyler?”
“Yeah?”
I fall to my knees and wrap my arms around him the best I can in his position. His body stiffens as I take him off guard, but then he relaxes and wraps his free arm around my back.
“Thank you for risking everything for us.” I smile against his chest, hoping he understands how much his sacrifice means to me.
“Liam would do the same for me without hesitation,” he says, and I wonder about what they’ve been through already.
“I would too,” I admit, pulling back. “Good night, get some sleep. Those dark bags under your eyes aren’t a good look for you.” Then I grab my stuff, turn off the light, and leave him be.
As soon as I walk into the bedroom, I sit on the mattress and pull off my shoes. Then I fall back, closing my eyes and taking in several calm breaths. I won’t be able to think straight until Liam checks in and tells us what happened.
Does Victoria have a gun? A knife? Will she try to silence Liam before he can beat her at her own game?
Obviously if I’m thinking about these things, Liam already has.
Being a bounty hunter has allowed him to always be two steps ahead of his opponent, but when it comes to the goddamn mob, he needs to be miles ahead.
I wish I could do something more, but this situation is out of my control, and it makes me feel helpless. I hate this.
Right now, all I want to do is call my sisters.
I wish I could tell them everything that’s happened so they’ll stop worrying.
I want them to know I’m with Mason’s old trainer and that I’m safe.
There’s a lot of explaining to do, but I don’t even know where to start.
They need to know who Victoria really is and how this affects all of them.
The magnitude of it hits me like a ton of bricks because it doesn’t seem real. So much has happened in so little time.