I can hear Liam talking to his dad, consoling him, explaining everything is replaceable, but he isn’t. It’s exactly what I would’ve said if it happened to my parents, but it doesn’t make it any easier. After Liam ends the call, he comes to me and is slightly distraught. “What if they would’ve been home?”
“You can’t live in the what-ifs, Liam. That’s how you drive yourself crazy.”
He nuzzles my neck. “What would I do without you?”
“Be single forever?” I quip and feel him smile against me. I lean back. “Let’s go home. Seeing him will make you feel better at least.” I grab my phone to text Sophie, then remember they left for their honeymoon already and are more than likely on a plane. They planned it this way so they’d be back before for Christmas. It will be Liam’s and my first Christmas together too, and I can’t wait to spend it with him and start making our own little traditions.
Liam picks up our suitcases and brings them out to his truck, then we make one final sweep before we leave to drop off the keys at the main office. Before we shut the door, I take it in one last time, encapsulating the memories we shared in my heart. When we walk back outside, there’s a tall, lanky man standing by Liam’s truck, which causes him to tense. I glance over at Liam who steps forward in front of me to protect me. My heart races, and I’m not sure what to do.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Liam barks.
The guy throws a wicked smile. “I want the money you owe me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t act stupid. You know damn well what money you owe me. The money your sorry ass lost. I had to pay every cent back to my father and just because he ‘forgave’ your debt doesn’t mean I did. So now, you owe me.”
“Did Victoria send you, JJ?” Liam asks.
JJ. My heart stills because this is Victoria’s brother, the one who got Liam into this mess in the first place. I can’t comprehend what’s happening. I want to protect Liam, tell this guy to stop ruining our lives, but he looks crazier than Victoria.
Maniacal laughter releases from him. “This is between you and me. You two split, but I want my fucking money back.”
Liam glares at him, unamused, but cautious nonetheless. “Or what?” He crosses his muscular arms over his chest, not backing down.
“You tell me. Terrible things have happened recently, haven’t they?” He cocks a brow. “And they’ll continue to happen if you don’t give me what I want. You’ll never expect what’s coming your way. And perhaps next time, I’ll make sure the house isn’t empty if you catch my drift.”
In a blink, Liam charges toward JJ, then wraps his hand around his neck as he pushes JJ against the truck, squeezing so hard, JJ can’t even begin to defend himself. “If you hurt anyone I love, I won’t think twice about fucking killing you. Come near me again, and I will,” Liam threatens, sending a cold shiver down my spine.
Instead of trying to push Liam away, JJ smiles as if he finds humor in all of this, and if I don’t do something, Liam will crush his windpipe. I hurry forward, grabbing Liam’s opposite arm to pull him away. “Liam, stop.” He tightens his grip and narrows his eyes at JJ. I start to panic and squeeze my fingers around Liam’s bicep tighter. “Hulk.” I emphasize his nickname through gritted teeth. “He’s not worth it. Drop your hands.”
I finally break through Liam’s anger, and he releases him, pushing away from JJ. Liam takes my hand and creates distance.
JJ clears his throat and grabs his neck, then forces out words. “Better save your energy. You’ll need that rage to fight.”
“What the hell did you say?” Liam spins around, seething.
“You want to pay me back? You want me to disappear?” JJ asks in a taunting tone but doesn’t wait for Liam’s answer before he continues. “One fight in an underground ring. You win, and you’ll be debt free.”
Liam glares at him. “Have you lost your goddamn mind? I’m not fighting for you.”
“Then expect more shit to blow up,” he deadpans. “I’ll make sure there’s more than a cut on your precious girl’s head next time.”
Liam’s jaw clenches, and I squeeze his hand to keep him from charging JJ again. He’s trying to rile up Liam, and it’s working.
“How can I trust you? How do I know this will really be over then?”
With a shrug, JJ stuffs his hands into his pockets. “You have no other choice than to trust me. The fight is on New Year’s Eve. Be ready because you’ll be fighting for your life. Literally. The guys who get inside the ring fight for blood. And if you don’t do it or try to run again…well, you’ll see. You’ll lose things that can’t so easily be replaced.” JJ looks straight at me, and his steel blue eyes feel as if they’re cutting through my flesh. The insinuation is obvious; I’m his next target.
JJ doesn’t wait for an answer from Liam before he walks away. Then over his shoulder, he calls out, “Start training. I’ll be in touch soon.”
Liam watches him and then once the black BMW peels away, he tells me to stand back as he cranks his truck. We all have PTSD from the G-Wagon exploding. After it’s started, he opens the door for me, and I climb inside, my hands and legs shaking. I’m confused, and I’m riddled with anxiety over all this.
“You can’t do this, Liam.”
He backs out of the driveway, and we go to the main office to turn in the keys to the cabin. “I don’t think I have a choice, baby.”
I shake my head, not wanting any of this to be happening. “No. You could get hurt or…” I can’t even bring myself to say it.
Parking the truck in front of the building, Liam turns to me, anger taking over. “He burned down my parents' house. He’s obviously the one who blew up the G-Wagon. JJ is responsible for it all. If he’s already done that, then what’s he capable of next? I can’t keep living my life in fear, Maddie, or risk more people in my life getting hurt. I can’t worry that every day I leave you, something terrible will happen while I’m gone. You’re my everything, and I want to protect you. I’ll train for this stupid fight if it means keeping you safe, and I’ll be fine.”
“You don’t know that.” A ragged sob escapes me as I cover my mouth, trying to swallow down my fears. He’s trying to reassure me he’ll be okay, but I’m not so sure this time. His life was spared last time, but what if he’s not so lucky next time?
Chapter Sixteen
LIAM
I try to change the subject on our way home, but my mind is reeling. I’m so livid, I’m grasping the steering wheel so tightly, my fingers are going numb. Too many puzzle pieces snap together as I replay everything that’s happened since the divorce. Stupidly, I thought I wouldn’t be connected with the O’Learys, but all bets are off. Victoria wasn’t lying when she said she didn’t blow up the G-Wagon, and I’m half-tempted to call her and let her know it was her idiot brother, but what use would it be? She hates me just as much and would probably only encourage JJ’s behavior to hurt me and the people I love. Maddie was hospitalized because of the explosion, and he probably wouldn’t care if it’d been worse. The rage I felt when I saw him outside of our cabin reappears, and Maddie notices.