Always Mine, page 14
Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pulled her flush against me, not wanting any distance between us. I wished I could tell her the truth, but the less any of them knew, the better. I just wanted to get everything taken care of and move the fuck on with my life. Putting Maddie on their radar made me sick to my stomach. I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if it meant having to walk away for good.
“You okay, Hulk?” Maddie asked me. “You’re not blinking.”
I hadn’t realized I was staring so intently until she spoke. “Yeah, Mads. I’m fine.” Though I smiled at her, she narrowed her eyes as if she could see right through my bullshit. She stepped closer until her head rested on my shoulder, and I inhaled the scent of her sweet shampoo. Maddie was always stunning, but today, she looked flawless in her bridesmaid gown with her dark hair pulled up. I had a perfect view of her neck, and my mind ran wild with images of kissing her soft skin.
Thinking back to that night, I let my guard down around Maddie, and I know she wants more from me, but I can’t. After my parents’ turbulent divorce and the pain on my father’s face after learning about my mother’s affair, I can’t even take love seriously. To the outside world, they had the picture-perfect marriage, but behind closed doors, they were two strangers simply sharing a bed. Being that close to the betrayal and lies made me never want to be in that situation or allow myself to get close enough to get hurt. If it could happen to my father, who loved my mother more than life itself, then it could happen to me too. I refuse to make myself vulnerable to that. Maddie isn’t like any girl I’ve ever encountered with her sweet personality and sassy mouth. While she’s feisty as fuck, she’s also determined to work hard to make her dreams come true. There’s something so goddamn special about her, and I can’t ruin our friendship by sleeping with her. She’s been more than willing to give her virginity to me, but I just can’t. It’s a risk I’m not willing to take. I’ve never been in a serious relationship, and I’d inevitably fuck it up. I’d question everything, their trust and loyalty, but also my own ability to be enough. Even if I were interested in dating someone long-term, my job and frequent traveling would prevent me from having stability.
Before I even get back to California, JJ sends me instructions to meet him in Vegas so we can discuss my repayment. As soon as I’m home, I pack clean clothes and take a shower before I pass out. I’m fucking exhausted, but I have no choice. To explain my unexpected departure, I tell my roommates I got a lead on a fugitive I’ve been tracking and need to leave before I lose him again. Mason buys it, considering this is what I do, but I can tell Sophie and Maddie have their suspicions.
The next morning, I leave early and arrive in Vegas. As I walk through the airport, my mind spins out of control, but I try to remain calm. I nearly drank myself stupid last night, hoping to numb the anxiety of what I’d be walking into. Today’s judgment day and time to figure this shit out. Put it behind me and make sure Maddie’s out of their grasp.
I take my carry-on and schedule an Uber then head to my friend Tyler’s house. I met him through Mason a couple years ago when Tyler was his boxing trainer before he moved. Now he helps me anytime I’m in Vegas for a job since I’m not comfortable checking my gun and don’t want to risk having it traced back to me in case anything happens.
“You want backup?” he asks after I strap on a bulletproof vest and holster my weapon. I slide on a leather jacket to keep everything hidden.
Knowing I can trust Tyler, I decide to tell him the truth. “I’m not here for a job,” I say.
He eyes me over his beer bottle as he takes a sip. “Really? Care to explain?”
I give him the washed-down version, explaining the gambling, meeting JJ, and losing the money that apparently wasn’t his to loan. After I say it aloud, I realize how fucking insane this really is.
“Yeah, so maybe you should come with me. Stay in the lobby, and I can text you if I need help.”
“Dude, I can’t believe you got messed up with the O’Leary family.” He shakes his head as we walk out to his truck.
“Trust me, I wouldn’t have if I had known. JJ propositioned me, and by the time I found out, it was too damn late. The damage was done, the money lost, and my life fucked up.”
He pats my back and squeezes my shoulder. “You got this, man. Just tell them what they wanna hear. How are you gonna get that kind of money?”
I shrug because I’ve been wondering the same damn thing. “I’ll let you know when I figure it out.”
Tyler drives us to the hotel, and when we walk in, he stays behind in the lobby while I take the elevator to the top floor. After wishing me luck, he reminds me to text or call him for backup if I need him.
JJ’s family is loaded and missing a hundred grand won’t put a dent in their finances, but it’s obvious his family is all about power and control. I’m not sure what I’ll say or how I’m going to come up with the money, but Maddie’s in danger, so I have to do something. Being a coward and running away won’t solve this, so I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them away from her.
In JJ’s last text, he told me to meet him in room 1580 so we could talk privately. The elevator beeps with every passing floor, and each time, my heart beats a little faster. The adrenaline rush from catching a fugitive is nothing compared to the anxiety I have over this. I’m in control on the job and call the shots, but the tables have turned. The hunter is now the hunted, and I have no idea what to expect.
The doors slide open, and I walk toward the room. My phone chimes, and I quickly see it’s a text from Tyler.
Tyler: I just saw a bunch of big looking dudes in black suits with guns exit the stairwell. Are you sure you’re only meeting JJ up there?
Motherfucker.
Quickly, I spin around to get the fuck out of there and am on my ass before I can even comprehend what’s happened. My hands cover my nose that some dick just punched, and now it’s bleeding.
“What the hell?” I roll to my side, and before I can get on my feet, he kicks me in the ribs with steel toe boots. Wincing, I tuck my knees to my chest. I tilt up my head and narrow my eyes at the two guys standing over me. By no means am I on the small side, but these dudes make me look tiny.
“Time to go,” one of them says, his voice deep and void of emotion.
“Boss wants to meet you,” big guy number two declares with a snarl.
“Fuck you. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
The guy’s lips curl up, smirking as if I’d just signed my own death warrant.
Before I can reply, the other pulls me up by the back of my jacket and smashes my face into the wall. Then everything goes dark.
By the time I wake up, blinking away the fog and trying to grasp where I am, I realize my arms and ankles are tied to a chair.
Fuck.
I’m so fucked.
So goddamn fucked.
My jacket along with my gun and bulletproof vest have been stripped off. I’m in the center of a hotel room, facing the windows. Voices can be heard in the other room, and it’s clear that JJ had no intention of talking to me. Honestly, I should’ve known better, but I’d hoped he would give me a chance to make things right before shit escalated. Though thinking back to the last time I was here, he told me I’d be dealing with his father if I didn’t get him the money.
I’m going to die, is the first thought that surfaces. What other option do I have? I can’t defend myself. I don’t have their hundred grand, and even if I did, I have an eerie suspicion they’d take it and still shoot me just for their trouble.
Swallowing hard, I inhale sharply at the thought of never seeing Maddie and my friends again. When they find out—if they ever find out—what happened, they’ll be shocked as hell. Living this double life has been exhausting, so perhaps it’s what I deserve.
I’m lost in my thoughts when I hear a door open and feet shuffle inside. My spine straightens, and I push all my fears aside. They don’t get the satisfaction of knowing I’m scared for my life.
“Sleeping Beauty’s finally awake,” taunts a man in his late fifties wearing a ten-thousand-dollar suit as he struts in front of me. He folds his hands in front of him, looking every bit powerful and dominating. “You must be Liam.”
I stay silent, and the guy’s lips tick up into a smug smirk. “I’m Johnny O’Leary.”
The boss.
JJ’s dad.
“Sounds like we have some business together,” he states, stepping closer, “so it’d be in your best interest to talk.”
“Where’s JJ?” I ask, cringing at how painful it is to speak. I can feel blood dripping from my nose and down my face.
“This is between you and me now, son. I want to know where my money is.”
Swallowing down the bile threatening to surface, I sit up straighter. “I’m still trying to come up with it. I have some, but I need more time.”
“More time?” He chuckles, pacing in front of me as the two guys who kicked my ass in the hallway enter. “You stole more than enough time, don’t you think?”
I groan, knowing nothing I can say at this point will keep him from killing me.
“JJ didn’t tell me he was borrowing from you,” I say softly. “I don’t have that kind of money.”
“Bullshit.” He nods to the bodyguard, who steps closer, then decks me right in the eye. My face whips to the side, and I spew out blood.
“Not bullshit,” I say hoarsely. “He propositioned me.”
Another nod, another punch to the face.
I spit again, every part of me throbbing and wishing he’d just end it already. I’ll never be able to come up with that kind of money.
“Hector,” Johnny says, motioning for him to come forward. Hector hands Johnny an iPad then turns it toward me. The contents of my stomach threaten to come up when I see a live video of the house. I meet his eyes, but my jaw locks in place as I will myself to stay quiet. Johnny swipes the screen, and pictures of Maddie pop up.
Maddie walking out of the house. Me driving her to school. Maddie walking around campus. Maddie reading in a coffee shop.
I swallow hard at the realization that they’ve been following not only me but her too.
To fuck with me.
“What do you want?” I hiss, darting my eyes back to Johnny and jerking in my chair.
“Are you hard of hearing?” he shouts, stepping closer. He sucker-punches me in the gut, making me grunt. “I’m feeling nice today, Liam, so I’ll tell you what…”
Johnny puts space between us as Hector stands to his side.
“Damien won’t put a bullet through your brain today, but you’ve gotta give me something.”
I flick my eyes over to the other large man and notice two guns holstered to his body. “What is it?”
“How much do you have?” he counters.
“Fifteen grand.” On top of the ten thousand I won the last time I was in Vegas, I’ve sold everything possible and saved from my jobs the past two months so I had at least something to offer. I know it’s peanuts compared to what I owe, but it’s all I have.
“Hmm…” He steeples his fingers and narrows his eyes.
“Damien was really looking forward to shooting someone today. So, give me the money you have, and he’ll only shoot your knees. Deal?”
I grunt. “I’d rather you just kill me then.” I’ll bleed out and die anyway, so I might as well just get it over with.
Johnny laughs, an evil sound that causes goose bumps to form on my arms.
“Alright, have it your way.” Johnny holds out his hand, and Damien drops the gun in his palm.
“You’ll leave my friends alone then?” I bravely ask.
His grin widens. “What’s it matter to you? You’ll be dead.”
My stomach roils, but instead of giving him a reaction, I close my eyes and picture Maddie.
The first moment we met.
The night we were unexpectedly reunited.
The countless times we’ve hung out, teased, and gave each other shit.
The way her lips tasted when we kissed on her twenty-first birthday.
Last week when she recited almost every line from that Patrick Swayze movie.
Fuck.
This will destroy her.
I keep my eyes closed and hear him unlatch the safety.
Counting the seconds, I wait and wonder what they’ll do with my body.
Probably toss it in a dumpster.
Funny how morbid your thoughts turn when you know your life is about to end.
I hear footsteps closing in on me, inch by inch. The cool barrel touches my forehead, and I inhale sharply.
The door whips open, and collective gasps overcome my senses. “Wait!”
Victoria?
Chapter Ten
Maddie
Celebrating Hunter and Lennon’s wedding in Utah was a blast, and I’m somewhat sad it was only for the weekend, but I told my parents I’d go back and visit during one of my school breaks. Being back home with my family brought so many great memories to the surface while creating new ones.
It’s still hard to believe Lennon is married. Sophie will have her wedding, then get pregnant, and I’ll be Auntie Maddie, the cat lady, who’ll be single forever.
Hmm…maybe I’ll get a Sphynx and name her Virgin.
Virgin, the hairless pussy.
Okay, so the name is still a work in progress, but the concept is still the same.
Dancing with Liam under the glittering lights was far more romantic than it should’ve been. I know not to expect anything from him that’s outside the friendship zone he’s established, but the way he held me and how our bodies moved together had my mind wandering to places it shouldn’t have.
He’d been attached to my hip since we left, and though I enjoyed the closeness, things abruptly changed the moment we got home. Liam did a load of laundry, repacked his bag, then flew out the next day. He claims it’s for a job, but I saw the email reminder on his unlocked phone when he walked away to grab a beer. I’d say I didn’t mean to snoop, but I absolutely did. Something’s up, and I’m determined to find out what the hell he’s hiding.
Liam’s flight notification was for Vegas. We suspect he’s traveling so much to gamble, but I’m worried there’s more to this than just playing slots. He’s tenser than usual and drinking more often. When we’re in public, he doesn’t take his eyes off me unless it’s to scan the area. Honestly, it’s unnerving.
Sophie picked me up from school, and after Mason got home, they made dinner, and we ate together. The moment I started a movie, those two party poopers bailed, claiming exhaustion, but I know what it’s code for.
Their loss. “Step Up” is one of the greatest dance movies ever. I’ve seen all the movies in the series dozens of times, but the first one is my favorite. You can’t go wrong with Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, even if they broke up in real life and made me lose all faith in true love.
Just as the final dance begins, I hear the familiar sounds of Liam’s truck, and a moment later, the front door whips open. Finally. He left two days ago, and I was starting to wonder when he’d be back.
“Liam, quick. This is the best part!” I steal a glance over my shoulder before focusing back on the screen.
He shuffles over, dropping his bag, and plops down next to me. “What is it?” he asks, his voice gruff with exhaustion.
“I swear, you were sheltered as a child.” I snicker, then peek over at him.
Then I do a double take. What the hell?
“Oh my God, Liam!” I turn toward him and study his face. The living room is dark except for the glow of the TV. Reaching out, I palm his cheek and tilt it closer. “What happened?” I whisper. He has two black eyes, his nose is busted, and his cheeks are swollen and red.
“The fugitive was a fighter. It’s no big deal.”
“Really?” I pop a brow, not believing a word of his shit. “Was he twice your size? Or get you when you weren’t looking? I’ve never seen you look this bad before.” Worry coats my voice as I examine him in shock. He’s been in fights before, but this looks like a one-way brawl. “Did you even get a punch in?”
He shrugs, wincing when he shifts on the couch.
“What hurts?” I ask. “Let me get you some ice or something. Did you take anything for the pain? I have some Icy Hot.”
“Maddie, stop.” He grabs my wrist, rubbing the pad of his thumb over my butterfly tattoo—that he’s mentioned a few times he loves—to keep me close. “I’m okay. I just wasn’t as prepared as I normally am, and he got a couple of swings on me. I handled it.”
My gaze follows to where he’s holding me, and then I let it wander down his body and back up to the little smirk planted on his face. “Well, you kinda look like shit.”
“I know.” His shoulders slump as he releases me. “So tell me what I missed the past couple of days.”
Settling into the couch, I rehash school and how intense our rehearsals have been since the recital is this weekend. We stayed late Monday and Tuesday and will have to be there tomorrow and Friday to run through the show from beginning to end. Considering the stage crew still needed to fix a few technical issues, all of us were let go early, so I’m glad Liam came home.
“Think you’ll make it Saturday? I got everyone tickets,” I say.
“Yeah.” He looks at me and smiles. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
The back-to-back rehearsals over the past few days have been exhausting, but I think we’re ready for tonight. I’ve been looking forward to the jazz recital all semester, and as it’s the final one of the school year, it’s a bit bittersweet. Joel and I have been practicing hard, pushing ourselves to the max to make sure every move is timed perfectly. The jazz dancers will perform three routines after the ballet and contemporary pieces. Then the seniors finish with a huge showcase finale, and I’m excited that I’ll be a part of that next year.
“Maddie!” Joel shouts before wrapping his arms around my waist. “We’re gonna kill it.”
“Hells yeah!” We high-five. “Do I look okay?”
