One Choice (Hogan Brothers 2)

What he saw in the middle of the building shocked him. Surely, his little brother wasn’t fighting? And yet, it made sense. The bruises and cuts. Constantly being beaten up. All the secrecy the past few months. His darker demeanor. This was what Levi had been hiding from the family.

Pounding on the door he figured had to be the one she described, a young guy built like a linebacker opened it. Hayes’ back was to him as he entered, and it wasn’t until he saw Levi’s grip on the back of her shirt and his head buried in her chest that he fully understood what was going on.

“What happened?” He couldn’t help the snarl.

Hayes had tears in her eyes as she told him. “Casper, his agent or whatever, he set him up.” Her breath caught on the last word.

“Set him up, how?”

“Levi told him he was done. He would finish the last three fights he was committed to, and that was it. He was supposed to fight Tiny!” Her agony, hurt, and worry had his temper rising. “He brought this new fighter by the gym on Wednesday. Rocko. He’s

huge, Lennox. Levi never should have fought him.”

“Fuck.” He ran a hand down his face frustrated as fuck and ready to pound the hell out of this Casper guy. “So, what happened to this Tiny guy?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. Rocko was announced, and he beat the hell out of Levi.”

“Did not.” Relief swamped him as Levi slowly turned his head.

“He did,” Hayes insisted.

“Nox?”

“Got something to say?” He was pissed. And concerned. But mostly pissed.

“How the fuck did you get here?” Levi’s words were slurred, and Nox knew he had a concussion at the very least.

“How about we worry about getting you to the hospital.” He walked over and took hold of his brother while the linebacker from the door helped from his other side.

“Hayes?” Levi’s voice was weak.

“I’m here.” She walked into his brother’s view.

“You call him?” She nodded. Fear of his brother’s anger was clear in her eyes and fidgeting hands. “Thanks.” She took a relieved breath as they helped Levi out to his car and headed to the hospital.

Anxiety. Dread. Sorrow. Those emotions all floated through Hayes like a lazy boat on a river. Levi was suffering, and she couldn’t do a damn thing. Nox had gone with him to the exam room because of the stupid family only policy the hospital had in place, and the damn nurse wouldn’t budge.

Sitting in the waiting room alone after sending Brett and Lys home, she couldn’t seem to quell the images flipping through her mind of Levi laying broken and battered on the bed when they’d rolled him away from her hours ago.

Nox had opted not to tell their youngest brother or their mother yet, wanting to know what was wrong first. She had to respect that; it was his family after all. Didn’t make sitting on her hands any easier.

All she could think about was the pain of losing Ryder and how she wouldn’t survive if Levi didn’t come out of this. A lot of people dismiss concussions as nothing serious, but she knew better than most that they could be deadly if not diagnosed and treated properly.

It was the what-ifs that were playing with her mind. Not being by his side didn’t help any at all.

Dawn broke the sky by the time Nox finally appeared with a glum look on his face. Terror paralyzed her as she was about to stand. Tears pooled in her eyes as he sat next to her. She couldn’t bring herself to say a word. Instead, waiting for him to speak.

“Mild concussion. Two bruised ribs. Severe bruising to his torso and hands.” Nox’s words were solemn as he listed his brother’s injuries. “I’m trying to convince Levi to press charges against Casper for breach of contract and anything else that can be done. He’s refusing. I need you to convince him.”

“Won’t he get in trouble, too? Because it’s an underground ring?” She wouldn’t push it if it meant he got charged as well.

“Yes and no. From what Levi has told me, the warehouse is permitted for the fighting, and contracts were signed. Since he never technically bet money on anyone and he hasn’t received any of those profits, I’m not sure anything would happen to him.”

“Is he mad at me?” Her words were barely above a whisper.

Nox looked at her like she was insane. “Why would he be mad at you?”

“I called you.”