Page 218 of Between Secrets and Obsession
I imagine you’re rolling your eyes at me right now, but I mean it, Mads.
I’m going to fight like hell to hold you in my arms again, but if my time comes to an end, please keep living. Dance around the living room in your tiny leotards, practice downward dog in your too-tight leggings, and repeat your favorite movie lines when they come on the TV.
But never forget how much I love you.
So damn much, I still don’t know what I did to be the lucky bastard that gets to kiss you every day.
I’ll love you until the day I die, baby.
I love you always,
Liam
I’m sobbing by the time I finish reading his letter twice.
How could he leave me this? Was I meant to read it now?
If I say anything to him, it’ll mess up his focus.
But it confirms what my heart is telling me what I need to do. It’s New Year's Eve, and Liam is fighting for his life tonight, and as crazy as it sounds, I want to be there to support him. I need to be there. If what Tyler said is true, that he’ll need medical attention afterward, I won’t be able to wait here, not knowing if he’s truly okay. My anxiety spikes thinking about it all.
I pull out my laptop and search for plane tickets to Vegas. I don’t give two shits about how much it costs. I need to be there before dark. Five hundred dollars later, I have a flight booked that leaves at two o'clock. I pack a carry-on suitcase, then walk into the living room and set it by the door.
Mason is lying on the couch and peers up at me. “Where’re you going?”
“Vegas.”
He quickly sits up. “Maddie, what?”
“What?” I play dumb.
“Whyare you going to Vegas?” he questions although he already knows the answer.
“You’re not going to Vegas,” Sophie says as she steps off the bottom stair and walks toward me with creased brows.
“Yes, I am. I refuse to sit here while Liam is there. I need to be at that fight tonight. I’ve already booked a flight.”
“Mads, you can’t do that,” she tells me, but I know it’s because she’s worried.
“I can and will.” I shrug. “If you’re so concerned, come with me. Both of you. But I’m going with or without you. I have to do this, Soph. I know you understand.”
Sophie looks over at Mason, and they have a silent conversation before she turns to me. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I don’t care,” I say firmly. “My flight leaves at two. I have a few hours before I have to go to the airport.”
Mason goes to Sophie. “Liam risked his life for you, and he’s always been there for me over the years. I think Maddie’s right. We need to be there.”
“You’ve both lost it. He’s participating in an underground fight. With mobsters! Fliers won’t be passed around for that. Who’s to say we’ll even know where to go?” She makes great points, but I’m two steps ahead of her.
“I’ve already figured it out. As soon as I’m there, I’ll text Tyler and force him to give me the address,” I say, pulling my hair into a high ponytail.
All of a sudden, it feels hot in here. Mason laughs at my idea and shakes my head, but I ignore him. Tyler will tell me, right? I’ll be persistent.
“Whatcha say, Soph?” Mason grabs her hand.
Her face softens, and she sucks in a deep breath, rolling her eyes. It’s two to one.
“Fine. There’s no way I’m letting her go alone.”
