Chapter 21
Bronson
I tightened my hold on my woman as I buried my face in her neck and breathed deeply.
Had I known what was going to happen that day... I never would have let her get out of bed.
***
Me – I love you.
Mine – I love you, too.
Then I got to work on training Flynn.
If he stowed that attitude... he would be something else.
***
Talia
“Hey, have you heard from Lila?” I asked Harlee.
Harlee frowned then shook her head, “Nope. Have you, Cassie?”
Cassie shook her head and looked at Tatum.
Tatum, in turn, shook her head at the same time that Everly said, “No.”
I frowned, then scrolled to Lila’s name and pressed dial.
Then I put the phone on speaker.
It rang.
And it rang.
And it rang until, ‘Hey, you’ve reached Lila, leave me a message, or better yet, text me, tootles,’ could be heard.
The moment the beep sounded, I said, “Hey girl, it’s Talia, you know, one of your closest friends, and speaking of your other closest friends, none of us have heard from you. What’s going on?”
I ended the call, then looked at my friends, nodded, and said, “Let’s go.”
They didn’t need to reply.
Madalyn
I frowned when another call to Lila had gone unanswered.
That wasn’t like her.
Sure, she missed a call or two, but she almost always called me back within a few minutes unless she was sleeping.
And considering it was three fifteen in the afternoon, and she was only there to finish one more project before she left the company, I was starting to worry.
And that worry started to grow as the minutes went by, and I had yet to hear from her.
We had a teacher workday today, so school was out.
I was biting my bottom lip as I stared at my phone, willing the black screen to light up and for me to be able to see Lila’s name.
Cole came out of the kitchen with a sandwich, and the moment his eyes locked with mine, I watched as his shoulder’s tensed as he asked, “What’s wrong?”
I released my lip and said, “I haven’t heard from Lila.”
Cole
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and scrolled to her name and pressed dial.
It rang, and rang, and rang... then her voicemail picked up.
I frowned.
Then I hit her work number.
And once again, it rang, and rang and rang, then an automated message played.
What the fuck?
Bronson
I had just told Flynn to hit the bag when my phone rang.
I pulled it out and checked the caller.
I didn’t know that number, but with who I used to be, there was no telling.
I answered.
“Yeah?” I asked.
A man’s name came across the line, “Yes, I’m looking for Bronson Adams.”
I sighed, then pinched the bridge of my nose, “Call my manager.”
I hung up.
Then the number called again.
I ignored it.
When were they going to get the hint?
I was out.
Totally.
I sighed, then got back to work on training the other fighters.
And when four o’clock rolled around I went to my office to take care of some paperwork, but first, I had to clear out my fucking voicemails.
And then that number from earlier popped up.
I growled as I hit the button and growled, “I’m not interested in coming back to the league, so fuck off.”
I was about to end the call when I heard, “Wait! Please. I think you have the wrong idea.”
I growled, “Not likely.”
“I assure you, sir, that you do. My name is Gracie Klein, a nurse at Whispering Falls Memorial Hospital. You are the emergency contact listed for Lila Durant.”
And suddenly, the heart I had tried to protect against everyone and everything unless they were my kids... Fucking... Shattered.
Fuck. No.
***
I don’t remember running out of the gym.
I didn’t remember passing Clutch.
I don’t remember calling my kids.
I don’t remember parking.
I don’t remember what was said.
No... all I remember is when I leaned over her, lying motionless on the bed, and burying my face in her hair.
***
“The machine is breathing for her.”
***
I ran my fingers through her soft blonde hair and prayed.
“God, I hope you can hear me. I hope you're listening. I know I’ve done wrong. But please. Fucking please don’t take her from me.” I pleaded.
Over.
And.
Over.
And the only words that formed on my lips for the next three hours were, “Breathe, baby. Just fucking breathe.”
***
Madalyn and Cole never left her side.
***
Carter, Harlee, Ethan, Melanie, Dominik, Talia, Garrick, Tatum, Alec, Cassie, Wolf, Smoke, Ice, Hyde, Jekyll, Kendra, Bax, Frank, Misty, Darla, Pete, Caleb, Luke, everyone, and anyone we knew came into the room one at a time and said encouraging words to both of us.
***
“She needs a kidney. Now.” I heard.
“She won’t make it.” I heard.
***
I was out of options, and my woman... she was out of time.
***
“Heard your woman was in need of help.”
My head snapped up at that familiar voice.
And standing there with his arms crossed over his massive chest was none other than Clutch.
And when I saw the people lined up behind him, men and women in the UFL. I was on my feet, striding in his direction.
He chuckled, then offered me his hand, which I took, and then with my other hand, I pulled him in for a hug.
“Fuck me.”
***
“We’ve got a match! Let’s move!” Dr. Harding said.
***
I paced the waiting room while they worked on Lila and took a kidney from her donor... fucking Flynn.
***
Four hours later, I raced into her room with Cole and Madalyn at my heels.
“Baby, wake up for me,” I said as I watched her eyelashes flutter.
“That’s it, baby, come on, you can do it. Wake up, sweetheart.”
Her eyelids shifted and then... something I never wanted to hear ever again...
My head snapped up the monitor.
The line...
The line that showed her heartbeat.... was... fucking... flat.
“No!” I roared.
Arms circled around me.
Pulling me from her.
“Fuck. No.” I gritted out.
Then I put all my strength into my legs and pulled whoever had a hold of me back to my spot at her side.
“Fucking hell. I need help.” I heard.
“Shit,” I heard.
“Lila!” I roared.
“Hold him!” I heard.
“Get him back.” I heard.
“Jesus, how the fuck does Lila handle his weight?” I heard.
“Lila!” I roared.
I felt small hands on my cheeks, and I was ready to rip someone’s head off.
Until a small voice that was shaky said, “Dad, they can’t help her if you are in the way. She’s strong. My mom is so strong.”
I stood there as Madalyn stared up at me with tears trailing down her cheeks.
***
Sadly... I wasn’t strong enough.
Cole
“Please. Please. Please. Don’t take her from us.”
Madalyn
“She’s my mom. Let her stay. Please.”
Harlee
I sat there in Carter’s arms, and I prayed.
Carter
I tried to be there for my woman, for my Harlee Belle, but what was the right thing to do? To say?
So, not knowing what to say, I did the only thing I could.
I prayed.
Garrick
I stood there surveying everything and wrapped my arms around my woman as she walked over to me and buried her face in my chest.
And if something ever happened to Tatum like it was happening to Lila... I wouldn’t survive it.
Tatum
You took Granger from me.
You’re not taking Lila, too.
Alec
The doctor better do everything he can... cause if he doesn’t...
Cassie
I’ve had a lot of moments where I thought someone wasn’t going to make it.
But nothing compared to this.
Nothing compared to the idea of losing Lila.
And nothing compared to the idea of Bronson losing his love.
Dominik
I sat there as I watched Bronson pace.
I also sat there as I watched Cole and Madalyn try to comfort each other.
Fuck.
Talia
I held onto Dominik.
Because if I didn’t hold onto something, I was going to lose it.
Everly
Me – I need you.
Deacon – On my way.
Bax
I wrapped my woman up in my arms as I held on tightly.
Pouring all my strength into her.
I wasn’t Lila’s father... but I wish I had been.
And I should have put a bullet in that bastard’s brain and then adopted her like I wanted to.
Sadly, the asshole, no matter the tactic I used, wouldn’t sign the papers.
Clutch
I wrapped my arms around Bronson and held on tight.
And when he broke... I stood fast and held on.
***
Dr. Harding
“Time of death... twenty-one forty-seven.”