“Who the fuck was the officer?” I ask, my adrenaline spiraling out of control.
“I’m pretty sure his tag said Officer Ferguson. Now I’m convinced she has everyone on her goddamn payroll.”
I see red, barely able to contain my anger. “Blake. That motherfucking bastard.” Then I glance over at Maddie. “Told you he was bad news.”
Maddie tenses and shakes her head, frowning.
“Serena will know what to do. I’ll have her come down and be your counsel. At least that way, you have someone on your side,” I tell him, feeling helpless but wanting to save him the same way he saved Maddie and me.
“Even if I get out on bail or manage to somehow prove my innocence, she’ll come after me again, Liam. I wouldn’t doubt it if she planted shit at my house too. She’s like a black widow and will seek her revenge one way or another. I have to play by her rules, and this is what she wants—to humiliate me and send my ass to prison. I’m convinced it’s the only way out of this. It’s the only way she’ll leave everyone alone.”
“I’m not letting you rot in there without a fight,” I tell him.
“I appreciate that, man, but I’m afraid my destiny has been set.” He sounds so damn defeated, and my guilt starts to weigh heavily on me.
“I’m sorry, Tyler. I’m so damn sorry.” All I can do is apologize as the reality of it all sinks in.
“Don’t apologize. I planned it, remember? I chose to go undercover, knowing the risks. It was worth it, Liam. I have no regrets and would do it again in a heartbeat.”
“I love you, man,” I tell him. “I’ll get Serena down there as soon as I can, okay?”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Without allowing me to say another word, Tyler ends the call, and I’m left standing there in shock. I turn to look at Maddie whose eyes are glassy with tears.
“I can’t believe this,” she says, wiping her cheeks.
“I don’t care that she’s about to pop out two babies, I’m tempted to fly my ass out there and give her a reminder of what I’m capable of,” I mutter.
“What would that solve?” she counters, crossing her arms. “That’d give her another reason to come after us again.”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “Maybe not.” Pulling out my phone, I scroll to Serena’s number. “I’m gonna call Serena and beg her to help. Pay her triple if I have to.”
Maddie gives me a sad smile. “I hope he’ll be okay.” She worries her bottom lip, and I wrap her in my arms.
“He’s one of the strongest people I know. If anyone can make it through this, Tyler can.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
MADDIE
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
“Right corner pocket,” Liam announces, bending over and effortlessly sweeping the ball into the hole.
“Goddammit,” Mason curses, slamming down his pool stick. Liam’s killing him and only has the final eight ball left.
“Why you even try, bro?” Liam gloats, lifting his arms to show off his biceps. The guys have been playing pool for the past two hours, and Liam has killed Mason, Hunter, and Kilan each time. He’s undefeated at this point.
“I’m grabbing a beer and finding my wife.” Mason shakes his head and walks out of the game room.
“Do I get to play you next?” I ask sweetly from the other side, bending over just enough to show off my chest. My eggplant-colored dress leaves nothing to the imagination, which is exactly why I wore it for our last house party. Mason and Sophie moved out a few months ago, so it’s been just the two of us, but we recently decided we needed a fresh start and found our own apartment.
“Not a chance in hell,” Liam grumbles, stalking toward me. “You’ll cheat.”
“What?” I narrow my eyes as he snakes his arms around my waist. “How can anyone cheat at pool?” I ask innocently.
“You know exactly how.” He leans down and tips my chin up toward him. “I keep having to give every guy in here dirty looks to stop them from looking at my girlfriend. I’m about to sucker punch Kilan in the face if he can’t keep his eyes to himself.”
I snort. “Kilan is harmless. Plus, you’ve known him for years, so I know you’re just being extra macho.” Kilan used to live across the street, but after he moved, they kept in touch. Since it’s the final house party before we officially move out, it was only right to invite him for one last hurrah.
“Harmless or not, one more glance at your chest, and he’s getting a fist to his nuts.”
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I pull us closer. “Hmm…I like your possessive side. It really turns me on.”
“Oh yeah?” He arches a brow. “How turned on are we talking here?”
“Like, you better get us to a room stat before I take you on this pool table. After all this time, why haven’t we christened this damn thing?” I chuckle.