Page 33 of Vallaverse: Twist
“Nervous,” I finish for him. “It's understandable. And I don't mind. You're not bothering me. You're actually providing a perfect distraction.”
“You got something going on?”
I sigh. “Something like that. Being nervous is natural. But use it. You know what you want. You know what you've worked for. You've moved up through the ranks beautifully, just like we knew you would. It's just a matter of taking what's already yours.”
I have no idea what I'm talking about. I'm just trying to be supportive and optimistic. That's all Shane needs. He needs someone who isn't Grady to tell him that he deserves this win and that it's his for the taking. Besides, everything I said is true. He has moved through the ranks, winning fight after fight. He'seven made a couple enemies. I haven't been back up to watch him since the first fight, but I keep up. I've even kept some paper clippings.
“Okay,” he says. “I appreciate you. So, you'll be up next week?”
“Of course, I will,” I assure him. “This is your first big win. I wouldn't miss it.”
***
I get a shockingly early call from Laz the morning of the fight. The phone rings just after I board the plane.
“Brooks,” he gasps when I answer. “I don't have much time. She knows. She knows I'm leaving. She knows I've been talking to you. I just wanted to talk to you again before tonight. I just wanted to tell you again that I'm sorry. I have so many regrets. I'm sorry. I have to go.”
“Wait,” I bark, not disguising the command and hoping it carries through the phone. “What's happening?”
Laz laughs. “I don't know, Brooks. I can't get out of bed.” Fabric rustles, and a door clicks open. “Fuck,” he groans. “I'll be there tonight. At the fight.”
“You will?”
More fabric rustles, and he groans again. “Wait,” he says, but he's not talking to me.
“Are you alright?” I ask.
“I'm okay,” he murmurs, sluggish. “I'll be there tonight. I'll see you there.”
“You will,” I promise.
“I'm going to go now,” he mumbles. “Gotta get ready.”
Then the call ends.
I want to scream. He didn't say anything that should cause my heartbeat to slam against my chest, but that's what it's doing.He's fine. He said he'd be at the fight. I'll take him there. No one will stop me. I'll take him and bring him home, and then... Well, then we'll see.
Chapter Fifteen
Brooks
Laz said he'd be at the fight.
He said he would be here.
I don't see him.
The fight is nearly over, and I've barely seen half a minute of it because I've been preoccupied with combing the crowd for any sign of Laz or his Alpha. I still clap and cheer when I'm supposed to but my attention is everywhere but the ring. It isn't fair to Shane, but I refuse to feel guilty about it.
Laz didn't sound well when he called earlier. He didn't say anything overly alarming, but the sound of them left me unsettled and worried. But he told me he'd be here tonight, and now the night is nearly over with no sign of him. I've looked at every single face in this arena multiple times to make sure. He isn't here. Something is wrong, and all I can do is wait.
I could rush to his apartment and break down the door, and I probably will. I have no legitimate claim to Laz. In fact, what I have is the opposite of a legitimate claim because he hasalready been claimed by an Alpha, but she's not a good Alpha. She doesn't take care of him. She uses him for personal gain, and she lets people hurt him in the process. If I wait for the courts and councils to help him, it will be too late. I've seen it a hundred times. One of the first things you learn when you start doing nefarious dealings is that the legal system really does work far harder for you than it does for the people it's supposed to protect. It's a cold, hard fact that hurts, but the hurt doesn't make it less true. If Laz were to go to the authorities, any authority, the first thing they would do is hand him back over to his abusive Alpha.
I have a general rule at this point in my life: I try very hard not to focus my negative attention on women, Alpha or otherwise. But I am likely going to make an exception for this one.
I'm making yet another scan of the crowd when the referee starts counting. Laz isn't here. I can feel it. I could walk every row in this building, and I wouldn't find him. But I can watch Shane's victory. I may not have been paying much attention to the fight, but I am aware of how well it's gone for him. He is the underdog everyone wanted to win, and now he's done it. The decision to support him was a very good one.
The crowd erupts when the referee raises Shane's hand in the air. My own cheers mingle with the rest, and I scream louder when he makes eye contact with me. Despite my own personal anguish, I really am very proud of him.
