I know if I can connect with his jaw one last time, I’ll knock him out and this’ll all be over. With all the strength in my legs, I swing with every inch of power I have, successfully connecting with his face. Mickey stumbles, then falls to the ground. The room erupts in cheers as I look toward them, lifting my fists in the air. The ref makes the call, announcing that I’m the winner. I’m covered in blood, my body is sore as fuck, but all that matters is that I’m not the one on the ground. Most guys in these underground fights would keep going, making sure the guy is as close to death as possible, but I’m not looking to do that. I hear Tyler’s voice calling my name, and when I look at him, he’s pointing at something behind me. The room is too loud, and I can’t make out what he’s saying. The next moment, I feel white-hot pain rip through my body.
It happens so fast. I glance down and see Mickey twisting a knife into my thigh, and I lose my balance, the paralyzing ache bringing me to my knees. Tyler rushes toward me, keeping me upright and from face planting the ground. He’s talking, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. I hear gunshots ring through the room, and everyone scatters. I look down at my leg and the blood pooling around me. It’s on my hands. It’s on my shorts. Tyler takes off his shirt and rips it in half before wrapping it tightly above my wound. He struggles to get me up and out of the ring.
“That won’t stop the bleeding for long. You need to go to the hospital,” he says as he nearly drags me down the long hallway. He holds onto me, keeping my arm wrapped around his neck as his arm tightly holds onto my waist. Every few seconds, I lose consciousness, too light-headed to focus as the pain blinds me.
“Tyler,” I say, but I don’t know if any words come out. I can’t see. I can only hear loud noises, people screaming, and then nothing.
Chapter Twenty-One
MADDIE
We sit around playing penny slots until my eyes nearly blur over. I can’t stop checking the clock. It’s been over an hour since the fight started, and I’m beginning to panic, though I keep it to myself so I don’t freak Mason and Sophie out. Shouldn’t they have been done fighting by now? I’m two seconds from dialing Tyler’s number when he calls me.
“Maddie,” he says my name, but it sounds strained. There are loud noises and people screaming in the background, and I feel as if I’m suffocating. What the hell is happening?
“I’m taking him to Vegas General Hospital,” he tells me. “Meet me there.”
“Is everything okay?” I ask frantically. Tyler says nothing, and it speaks louder than his words ever could. “Tyler?” I choke out.
“There was an incident, but I’m taking Liam to the hospital now.” It sounds as if he’s out of breath when I hear a door slam shut.
“What?” My voice comes out as a whisper. “What kind of an incident?”
“Meet me there. I gotta go,” he forces out, then hangs up.
I stand, but Mason and Sophie are already moving in on me, holding me from falling down because it feels as if I can’t carry my own weight. “Vegas General Hospital. That’s where they’re heading.”
“I’ll get an Uber,” Sophie says, pulling out her phone.
“Everything okay?” Mason asks, tightly holding me.
“Maddie?” I hear Sophie’s voice and know she’s standing close by me, but I’m too in shock to speak. Everything seems to be moving in slow motion, but the time is ticking so fast. There was an incident. Tyler’s words play on repeat in my mind.
“Something happened at the fight. Tyler sounded worried.” My thoughts are as stilted as my words.
They guide me out of the hotel, and once our driver arrives, we get in the car. Vegas passes by in a blur as we get onto the highway. The tears begin to fall, and I try to catch my breath, but I don’t feel as if I can breathe. Sophie grabs my hand and speaks soft, encouraging words.
“He could just have a concussion or something.”
“Liam’s had plenty of concussions playing football, Mads. I’m sure Tyler is taking precautions,” Mason adds.
I shake my head, disagreeing. “I’ve never heard Tyler sound the way he did. Ever. And we’ve been through some shit together.”
It doesn’t take long before we’re turning into the parking lot of the hospital. Before we come to a complete stop, I’m unbuckling and nearly jumping out. I run as fast as I can to the emergency room entrance as Sophie and Mason rush behind me. As soon as I get through the sliding glass doors, I see a distraught Tyler standing in the waiting area.