Chapter Forty-Three
MADDIE
We sit around playing penny slots until my eyes nearly blur over. I can’t stop checking the clock. It’s been over an hour since the fight started, and I’m panicking. Shouldn’t they have been done fighting by now? I’m two seconds from dialing Tyler’s number when he calls me.
“Maddie,” he says my name, but it sounds strained. There are loud noises and people screaming in the background, and I’m suffocating.
“I’m taking him to Vegas General Hospital,” he tells me. “Meet me there.”
“Is everything okay?” I ask frantically.
Tyler says nothing, and it speaks louder than his words ever could.
“Tyler?” I choke out.
“There was an incident, but I’m taking Liam to the hospital now.” It sounds as if he’s out of breath when I hear a door slam shut.
“What?” My voice comes out as a whisper. “What kind of an incident?”
“Meet me there. I gotta go,” he forces out, then hangs up.
I stand, but Mason and Sophie are already moving in on me, holding me from falling down because it feels as if I can’t carry my own weight. “Vegas General Hospital. That’s where they’re heading.”
“I’ll get an Uber,” Sophie says, pulling out her phone.
“Everything okay?” Mason asks, tightly holding me.
“Maddie?” Sophie stands close to me, but I’m too in shock to speak.
Everything seems to be moving in slow motion, but the time is ticking so fast. There was an incident. Tyler’s words play on repeat in my mind.
“Something happened at the fight. Tyler sounded worried.” My thoughts are as stilted as my words.
They guide me out of the hotel, and once our driver arrives, we get in the car. Vegas passes by in a blur as we get onto the highway. The tears begin to fall, and I try to catch my breath, but I don’t feel as if I can breathe. Sophie grabs my hand and speaks soft, encouraging words.
“He could just have a concussion or something.”
“Liam’s had plenty of concussions playing football, Mads. I’m sure Tyler is taking precautions,” Mason adds.
I shake my head, disagreeing. “I’ve never heard Tyler sound the way he did. Ever. And we’ve been through some shit together.”
It doesn’t take long before we’re turning into the parking lot of the hospital. Before we come to a stop, I unbuckle and jump out.
I run as fast as I can to the emergency room entrance as Sophie and Mason rush behind me. As soon as I get through the sliding glass doors, I find Tyler in the waiting area.
“Where is he?” I ask, searching around.
My eyes widen as I notice Tyler’s shirtless with blood on his chest and hands. I’m becoming more hysterical with every passing second.
“They’re prepping him for surgery to stop his bleeding,” Tyler says, looking around me at Sophie and Mason.
“Surgery?” I gasp. I know damn well you don’t need surgery for a concussion.
“What happened?” Sophie asks, eyeing the blood too.
Sick people are all around coughing and sneezing, so Tyler takes us over to a secluded area. We sit facing him as he leans in, keeping his voice low.
“Liam was fighting really well, blocking hits and making punches, then in the last round, he took Mickey down. As soon as it happened, Liam was declared the winner, and everyone cheered. Then I saw Mickey pull out a knife, and everything went into complete chaos.” Tyler pauses as if he’s replaying every action in his head like a movie.
“JJ orchestrated this fight between Liam and Mickey DeFranco, Victoria’s real baby daddy, knowing one of them wouldn’t walk away unscathed.
Once we found out who Liam’s opponent was, it was too late to do anything about it or train him differently.
I tried to get intel during the past couple of weeks, but no one could tell me anything.
By the time it was revealed, too much money was already on the line, and once you step into the ring, there’s no stepping out when so many people are watching. Not unless you win.”
I cover my mouth with my hands. This doesn’t seem real. It can’t be. Weapons weren't allowed there. It jeopardizes not only the fight but also the people who place the bets.
“DeFranco had it out for Liam because of how everything went down with Victoria and he wanted blood. And he most definitely didn’t want to lose.
He pulled a rusted knife from his waistband and stabbed Liam in the thigh, twisting it until I rushed in and grabbed Liam.
I wrapped my shirt around his thigh to make a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
All of a sudden, there were gunshots, then mass hysteria broke out, but all I was worried about was getting Liam out of there.
I told him to hold pressure on his leg when we got in the truck, but he was in and out of consciousness the entire drive over here. ”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. It sounds made up. Glancing over at Mason, I notice his eyes are wide, and his jaw is clenched. Considering Liam has been his best friend for years, I can’t imagine what he’s thinking. They’re like brothers.
“As soon as we pulled in, they rushed him inside and had a team of doctors working on him,” Tyler continues. “They were checking his vitals and prepping him for surgery. That’s all I know as of right now.”
“Oh my God,” I say between sobs. “How could this happen? I—” I bend over and cover my face, releasing the tears I can’t keep inside.
“Mads, he’s strong and is gonna get through this,” Tyler promises. “This is the best hospital in the city, and I got him here right away. His risk for infection will be low, and there’s no reason he shouldn't have a full recovery.”
I’m sure that’s supposed to make me feel better, but it doesn’t.
I’m a nervous wreck and can’t sit any longer, so I stand, but Tyler quickly grabs my hand before I can walk away.
He pulls me into the side of his chest and wraps his arm tightly around me.
My emotions are going haywire, and I think I’m going to have a panic attack.
It’s obvious by the number of tears streaming down my face that I’m not okay.
The smell of the hospital is making me nauseous, and I think I might throw up if I don’t get some fresh air.
“You alright?” Sophie asks as I pull away from Tyler.
“I feel sick,” I admit. “I need some fresh air.”
Sophie walks outside with me, and I sit on an empty bench close to the door as I suck in ragged breaths.
She places her hand on my shoulder and rubs down my back, trying to comfort me, but it’s no use. “I’m sure he’s gonna be fine. Liam’s one of the strongest people we know. He’s not gonna give up without a fight.”
Fighting is what got him here.
I nod, tucking my bottom lip into my mouth. “But what if he’s not?”
I’m not sure what kind of reaction I expect, but she doesn’t give me one. Instead, Sophie looks out at the cars passing in front of the hospital as the cool breeze brushes against our skin.
“You know, there was a point in my life when I didn’t think I’d make it.” She keeps her focus on the busy street. All I can do is watch her.
“But I did, and I’m alive, and I think I went through all that because of moments like this, so I can be here for you during one of your darkest times. Whatever happens, I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”
I wrap my arms around her, and she pulls me into a tight embrace. That’s when I lose it and the dam breaks.
“Liam’s a tough guy. He risked his life to save me, and I know how much he truly loves you, Maddie. If there’s any motivation for him to live, it’s gonna be for you.”
There are no words that come to mind as I cry on her shoulder. I think about how much Sophie has been through, and then my mind goes to Liam. If anything, she’s proof I can survive this. The same strength that runs through her veins is in mine too.
“Thank you,” I tell her, my voice cracking with every word. Before I can say anything else, Mason steps outside, letting us know that Liam’s going into surgery.
Nearly three hours pass as we wait inside, and it feels like an eternity.
Mason gets me a bottle of water, but every sip I take, it seems like it’s going to come right back up.
I’ve cried off and on, my thoughts growing darker with every second that ticks by.
Sophie stays close to me, not leaving my side.
Eventually, a nurse comes and tells us Liam is out of surgery.
“One person can be with him in recovery,” the nurse explains.
“Maddie, you should probably go in,” Tyler tells me. “He’ll prefer to wake up to your face over mine.”
My heart races at getting to see Liam, but I don’t know what I’m walking into or what I should expect.
I stand and the nurse scans me in, and I follow behind.
Double doors lead us down a hallway, and all I can hear are machines beeping from the different rooms we pass.
It all feels like a blur when she opens the door and steps aside, letting me enter, and that’s when I see Liam for the first time.
I gasp when I see his swollen face and broken body. I go toward him, not able to see how bad his leg is because he’s tucked under a stark white sheet. I grab his hand and hold it, not wanting to cry any longer, but not able to help it either. He’s alive, and that’s all that matters right now.
“Liam,” I say softly.
“Maddie?” he croaks, squinting his eyes.
“I’m here, baby. I’m here,” I whisper, leaning over and gently touching his face.
“I think I’m dreaming…” he murmurs, opening his eyes a little wider.
I shake my head. “No. I’m really here.”
He looks at me as if I’m a figment of his imagination before he drifts off to sleep. I pull the uncomfortable looking chair up beside the bed so I can stay close to him. Scratches and bruises cover his arms, both of his eyes are swollen, and his lips are busted.
Tyler said Liam won and then was stabbed, which makes me wonder what condition Mickey is in at this moment. I can only hope he’s suffering in pain and gets what’s coming to him for doing this to Liam.