“What would happen if the police discovered that place?” I asked.
“For one, we’d all go to jail,” Blake replied. “But since T and his lapdogs have connections with the police, they would get out in no time and then...”
“Then what?”
“Then you wouldn’t want to be free, because you’d wish you never got out of jail once T was done with you.”
Chills ran through me. “Is he that influential?”
“Yes, he is,” Hayden said. “How do you think he managed to keep his large circle secret all this time?”
“How did you hear about them if everything was done in secret?”
Hayden and Blake glanced at each other again, and I wondered if they were going to deny me this answer.
Finally, Hayden said, “It’s not that hard to figure out some things when you know the right people.” I waited for him to add something else, but he didn’t.
Ten minutes later, thick trees gave way to an open area that housed a huge, rundown warehouse. Blake’s headlights cast a light on a glimmering surface in the distance.
I peered at it. “Is that a lake?”
“A swamp,” Hayden answered, and I chewed my lip nervously. I didn’t like the sound of it.
At least twenty cars were parked near the entrance to the warehouse, which was surrounded by burn barrels that provided enough light in the dark forest. Some people had gathered near them, talking in groups, and it took only one glance for me to see they looked tougher and more dangerous than the lot at the place Mel and I visited that night.
Their faces painted a picture of a rough life, and I didn’t even want to imagine what kind of things they had experienced. I hoped not to cross paths with them ever again after this night.
Blake parked right next to a red Jeep, which was the same model as ours. Masen was sitting on its hood, talking to Steven and some other guys as he smoked.
“We’ll come in five,” Hayden told Blake. Blake nodded and went to join Masen and the others.
Hayden got out and hopped next to me in the backseat. The tinted windows hid us from the guys, so when Hayden jerked me toward him and kissed me, I fully responded to him, unleashing the burning need within me that begged me to keep him as close to me as possible and never let him go.
Threading his fingers through my hair, he tugged it to tilt my head backward. His lips moved to the hollow beneath my ear, giving me the most ardent kisses ever, and I clung to him like he was going to disappear into thin air any moment.
“Remember, don’t leave Mace and Blake,” he said into my neck, keeping me flush against him. “You won’t talk to me or stand next to me once we’re inside. Don’t try to stop the fight or do anything crazy.” He pulled away to look at me. “Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
His scorching hot eyes fell on my lips, and he kissed me again, but this time it was a bruising kiss that perfectly portrayed just how desperate he was. He drew away and grabbed my face.
“You’re going to stay strong. Okay? You have to, even if I die.”
I grasped his wrists right above his hand wraps, feeling like I was going to start panicking any second now. “Hayden—”
“No.” He shook me once, demanding my attention and compliance. “Listen to me. You won’t do a single thing. Even if I’m beaten to death on that floor, you won’t interfere.”
I bit into my lip. I wanted to cry, but I’d promised myself I wouldn’t fall apart in front of him. I wouldn’t make this any more difficult for him than it already was.
“You won’t die,” I told him. “Stop saying that because you won’t die.” I pressed my fingers into his arms, holding him tight. “You’ll survive this fight. I believe in you.”
His gaze turned so soft I was barely able to breathe under the intense emotions it provoked in me.
“I love you.” He threaded his fingers through my hair again, his moves hurried and fervid. “I love you so much.” He left kisses all over my face, each more despairing than the previous one. “Thank you for everything, Sarah. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
I frowned at him. “I love you too, but don’t you dare act like this is goodbye. This isn’t goodbye. You’re going to be fine.”
His eyes reflected deep sadness and regret, telling me this could very well be our last moment together.
“I love you,” he repeated and removed my hands from him. “I could tell you so many things right now, but we don’t have time.” No. I hate this. I don’t want this. “Just remember I’ll always love you. Stay strong.”
He got out of the car before I could do anything to keep him with me any longer. I shook so hard that I wasn’t sure my legs would be able to carry me. For a few minutes, I just stared at my lap, trying to pull myself together.
We’d spent so many heart-warming moments together this last week, but now it seemed like all of it had passed in a fleeting second, and it wasn’t nearly enough. Nothing would ever be enough.
The passenger door opened, and Masen popped his head inside. “Any moment now, Sar, if you haven’t chickened out and want to stay in the car.”
His taunt ruffled my feathers, which was exactly what gave me the strength to move and avoid breaking.
I got out of the car and closed the door. “I won’t be a nuisance, Masen.”
I looked around for Hayden, but he was nowhere in sight. Only a few people were left outside, and some of them had their eyes on me, making me feel like I was sticking out by a mile. A shiver that rolled down my spine had nothing to do with the exceedingly cold weather, and I had to remind myself once again that I was doing this for Hayden and wasn’t going to give in to fear.
“Hayds is inside with Blake and the others,” Masen said. “Come on. The fight will start soon.”
He surprised me when he put his hand on the small of my back and ushered me forward. I frowned at him and removed his hand from me.
“No need to push me around. I can walk by myself.”
He cast me a quick smirk. “You’ve finally grown some balls. Nice.”
He walked ahead of me so he couldn’t see the glare I sent him. My anger was short-lived, replaced with pure dread the moment we stepped into the warehouse. I was intimidated by its vast space that was filled with a foul smell, broken glass on the floor, and piles of bricks and other debris. Burn barrels had been lit all around, contributing to the sinister atmosphere of the semi-dark space, but what chilled me to the bone was a big, round cage in the middle. It was surrounded by people who looked all too excited about what was going to transpire soon.
“A cage?” I asked Masen, unable to mask the fear in my voice.
Masen’s gaze landed on me for the briefest moment before he turned his face away, but I managed to catch distress in his expression. “Tonight’s fight is different. It could get more brutal than usual.”
“What does that mean?” My voice was high-pitched.
He stopped and turned around, and I halted abruptly, almost bumping into him. I winced when I met his hard gaze.
“It means you have to keep it together. Don’t make this difficult for Hayds.” He shook his head. “This place is dangerous, so I don’t know what you’re doing here, but since you’re already here, you’re going to toughen up. No crying, no whining, and no interfering.”