Page 40 of Ignite
“That’s why…” My throat tightened. That was why she asked me to stay. She saw more than she let on. There she was offering me everything when she needed it just as bad. How hadn’t I seenit?
“I don’t know what to do,” Faye said. “I want to help her, but I don’t think she would accept money. Maybe I could ask her to move someplace with me. I’ll cover the bond or something. Get her out of that overpriced apartment.” She sighed. “I would have to get her to forgive mefirst.”
Faye was a good person. I’d always known it, even though our relationship had been left of center. She wasn’t like other women, but it didn’t mean she wasn’t worth more than a bit of fun. She had a big heart—that was how I knew I could trusther.
“Faye, I’m fighting Viper tomorrow night?,” Iannounced. ?????
Her head flew up. “What?”
“He was using Ali to get to me. He saw the way I was acting around her, and he tried to…” I sighed. “It was either fight him in the cage or have him come after me outside The Underground. Either way, he’s going to tryto—”
“Don’t say it,” she exclaimed, turning her face away. She took a few deep breaths, looking thoroughly rattled. She knew what itmeant.
“Ali needs to stay away,” I went on. “I know she’s probably not going to come back anyway, not after I fucked with her again, but I have to be sure. We… We said some heavy shit to one another last night.” I sighed, thinking about the moment I confessed my greatest fear to her. Abandonment. “If something happens tome…”
“Don’t fight him, Liam,” Faye pleaded. “It’s not worth risking yourlife.”
“What else can I do? Run away like acoward?”
“Yes,” she said, grasping my hands. “Leave and don’t come back. Saving yourself is nothing to be ashamedabout.”
I shook my head. “Ican’t.”
“You can.” Her eyes darted around wildly as she racked her brain for scenarios. “You can apologize to Ali, win her back, and take her away someplace. You’ve got money. Take heroverseas.”
“Ali won’t take me back,” I said grimly. “I went there last night to make sure she would never come looking for me. She can’t come back here. Now or ever. Anyway, I’ve blown it. It’s over. It’s for thebest.”
“You keep telling yourself that,” Faye said. “You’re sacrificing everything. You realize that, don’t you? Did you ever stop to think you’re worth more than that? There are people who would throw down for you too,Liam.”
“Yeah? Who?” I rolled myeyes.
“Me, for starters. AndAli.”
I snorted and shook my head. It was over.Done.
“You have to realize that you’re not in this alone, Liam,” she went on. “You don’t have to do this. Push everyone away. You don’t have to fightalone.”
“I have to,” I said with a growl. “I made thismess.”
Faye shook her head, scowling at me like I was a dumb ass. “She’s fallen for you, you dipshit. As in love. Don’tyou—”
“Promise me something,” I said, cutting heroff.
“Anything.”
I glanced up at her and didn’t like what I saw.Desperation.
“Promise me you’ll keep her away from this place. If things go bad… I don’t want her to seeit.”
Faye stared at me for a long time before she nodded. “I really wish you would reconsider. What you’re doing is stupid as hell, but it’s coming from a place of love.” She smiled sadly. “You love Ali. You’ll realize it sooner orlater.”
I grunted, not wanting to acknowledge any of it. All I could focus on was the fight. Everything hinged onit.
“Liam…”
“It’s my mess,” I said, glancing out across the warehouse. “Now I have to clean itup.”
18
