Chapter Forty-One #2
But the reality is, this fight is dangerous.
The reality is, something bad could happen.
I tried not to think of the what-ifs, but they’ve been hitting me harder and faster, and I can’t ignore them.
If something horrible does happen, I want you to know how deeply, insanely, madly in love with you I am.
You need to know I wanted forever with you, and baby, if I don’t come back, promise me you’ll find happiness again.
I imagine you’re rolling your eyes at me right now, but I mean it, Mads.
I’m going to fight like hell to hold you in my arms again, but if my time comes to an end, please keep living. Dance around the living room in your tiny leotards, practice downward dog in your too-tight leggings, and repeat your favorite movie lines when they come on the TV.
But never forget how much I love you.
So damn much, I still don’t know what I did to be the lucky bastard that gets to kiss you every day.
I’ll love you until the day I die, baby.
I love you always,
Liam
I’m sobbing by the time I finish reading his letter twice.
How could he leave me this? Was I meant to read it now?
If I say anything to him, it’ll mess up his focus.
But it confirms what my heart is telling me what I need to do.
It’s New Year's Eve, and Liam is fighting for his life tonight, and as crazy as it sounds, I want to be there to support him. I need to be there. If what Tyler said is true, that he’ll need medical attention afterward, I won’t be able to wait here, not knowing if he’s truly okay.
My anxiety spikes thinking about it all.
I pull out my laptop and search for plane tickets to Vegas.
I don’t give two shits about how much it costs.
I need to be there before dark. Five hundred dollars later, I have a flight booked that leaves at two o'clock.
I pack a carry-on suitcase, then walk into the living room and set it by the door.
Mason is lying on the couch and peers up at me. “Where’re you going?”
“Vegas.”
He quickly sits up. “Maddie, what?”
“What?” I play dumb.
“Why are you going to Vegas?” he questions although he already knows the answer.
“You’re not going to Vegas,” Sophie says as she steps off the bottom stair and walks toward me with creased brows.
“Yes, I am. I refuse to sit here while Liam is there. I need to be at that fight tonight. I’ve already booked a flight.”
“Mads, you can’t do that,” she tells me, but I know it’s because she’s worried.
“I can and will.” I shrug. “If you’re so concerned, come with me. Both of you. But I’m going with or without you. I have to do this, Soph. I know you understand.”
Sophie looks over at Mason, and they have a silent conversation before she turns to me. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I don’t care,” I say firmly. “My flight leaves at two. I have a few hours before I have to go to the airport.”
Mason goes to Sophie. “Liam risked his life for you, and he’s always been there for me over the years. I think Maddie’s right. We need to be there.”
“You’ve both lost it. He’s participating in an underground fight. With mobsters! Fliers won’t be passed around for that. Who’s to say we’ll even know where to go?” She makes great points, but I’m two steps ahead of her.
“I’ve already figured it out. As soon as I’m there, I’ll text Tyler and force him to give me the address,” I say, pulling my hair into a high ponytail.
All of a sudden, it feels hot in here. Mason laughs at my idea and shakes my head, but I ignore him. Tyler will tell me, right? I’ll be persistent.
“Whatcha say, Soph?” Mason grabs her hand.
Her face softens, and she sucks in a deep breath, rolling her eyes. It’s two to one.
“Fine. There’s no way I’m letting her go alone.”
I smirk. “There’s my protective big sister.”
“I’ll always be.” Sophie wraps me in a hug. “I don’t care how old you are.”
“Guess we should pack and search for flights. Can you send me your reservation info so we can get on the same one?” Mason asks.
I pull out my phone and forward my confirmation email.
“Did you already get a room in Vegas?” Sophie asks.
“Not yet. But I’ll book something before we leave for the airport.”
“Perfect.”
The two of them go upstairs to get ready, and I plop down on the couch as a nervous excitement streams through me. I search for hotels and find one that looks decent and is affordable, then make a reservation for two double beds.
Once Mason and Sophie are ready, we drive to the airport early since we’ll probably run into holiday traffic.
We chat about random stuff, but my thoughts are in another place as I try to rehearse what I’m going to say to Tyler once we’re there.
I already know he’ll be pissed, but it’s my right to be there.
Just as I expected, we’re nearly bumper to bumper miles from the airport because of a stupid wreck. Traffic slows us down nearly an hour.
After we park and go through security, we have an hour to eat before boarding starts.
I’m half-tempted to order a large margarita at the restaurant but decide against it, knowing I need to be in a good headspace when we land.
Eventually, it’s time for us to line up, and I’m anxious about the whole situation.
After reading Liam’s letter, I know this is the right thing to do, but I’m still nervous.
Sophie notices my fidgeting and places her hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“I hope so,” I tell her as we walk down the jetway, then find our seats on the plane.
We take off, and I watch out the window as Sacramento drifts away, and the buildings below look like Lego pieces.
Somehow, I fall asleep, and I’m being woken up when the wheels touch down on the runway.
It hits me in full force that we’re here, and all of this is really happening. There’s no turning back now.
I’ve never been to Las Vegas before, and if I were here for any other reason, I’m sure I’d have an incredible time watching all the shows and walking down the Strip.
We Uber to the hotel, and I can’t seem to stop staring out the window.
Everything looks like a large movie set with all the bright lights and tall buildings.
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.
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 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 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.
I don’t even want to think about it.