“He’s banged up,” I tell her before we walk in, giving her a warning about the way he looks.
She nods, and we all enter. My heart races when I see he’s actually awake, sitting up, and sipping through a straw.
His eyes go wide when he sees us all, and I rush toward him.
“Maddie, baby,” he says through a painful smile. As I touch his shoulder, he winces. All I want to do is plant kisses over his broken face, but I know it’s not a good idea. Instead, happiness floods me, and the waterworks turn on. I’m a blubbering mess, but I’m so fucking thankful. Confusion is written all over his expression as he makes eye contact with Sophie and Mason, but he pulls me close to him, not letting me go.
“I thought I imagined you were here,” he says, gripping my hand as I sit on the edge of his bed. I’m careful not to move too much as I stare at him.
“I had to be here for you, baby. I was so scared of losing you. It was just…” I choke up. “Too much for me to be so far away.” I swallow down my emotions and wipe more tears away. Liam places his hand on my thigh and squeezes.
“I promised you, Mads. I’ll never break my promises to you,” he tells me. “I love you too damn much.”
I hold back the urge to wrap my arms around him and suck in a deep breath. “I love you. God, I love you.”
Tyler speaks up, interrupting the moment. “Do you remember what happened?”
Liam stares at Tyler for a long while before nodding. “I just remember that asshole stabbed me after I won and then hearing gunshots. That’s it. Everything after that is a blur.”
“I’m still trying to figure out what happened, honestly. It was mass chaos and panic. I was worried,” Tyler admits.
Liam chuckles at his admission. “If I would’ve died, I’d just haunt you the rest of your life.”
“Not funny,” Tyler snaps just as his phone rings. He looks down at it, then steps out of the room as Sophie and Mason walk to the other side of Liam’s bed.
“I’m so happy you’re okay,” Sophie tells him as Mason stands with his arm around her.
“Yeah, we were worried fucking sick,” he says. “If it weren’t for Maddie, we wouldn’t even be here right now.”
Liam glances at me, and I shrug. “Yes, why are you guys here?” he asks. “Not that I’m not happy you are now, but I told you to stay away from this place because it wasn’t safe for you.”
“And you thought she’d listen?” Mason snorts.
“I found your letter,” I admit. “Which I’m really mad at you for writing.” I wipe a tear off my cheek, smiling at him because I’m not really upset about it, but still, it was hard to read.
“Oh, you found that, did you?” He smirks, squeezing my hand.
“What letter?” Sophie asks.
“Basically, an ‘in case I die’ letter,” I deadpan.
“Would you rather I didn’t, and then I really did die?” he counters.
“I wasn’t going to allow that on my watch,” Tyler interjects, entering the room. “Though I couldn’t have predicted the shitstorm that happened tonight. Thank God he didn’t stab you somewhere else or hit a main artery.” His words send a shiver down my spine at the what-ifs. Tyler’s right, Mickey could’ve killed him.
“I’m glad you did write it,” I tell Liam. “I love you with all my heart. And if something worse had happened, I would’ve never forgiven myself for not being here with you.”
“I know,” he says softly. “And I love you too.”
I lean over and gently kiss his cut lips.
“See, this is why I worry about you so much,” he tells me. “You’re stubborn. I should’ve known you’d find your way here, especially since I told you to stay home.”
Sophie giggles, and Mason smiles.
“I’m not denying that one bit. I know I am,” I admit with a smirk. “Have to give you a run for your money, though. Keep you on your toes, Hulk.”
Liam shakes his head as Tyler rounds his bed, coming closer. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he saw a ghost by how pale he looks.
“What is it?” Liam asks, searching his face.
“JJ’s dead,” he says.
With wide eyes, Liam stares at Tyler. “What? Is that why I heard gunshots?”
Tyler nods. “Yep. It was Victoria,” he says. “She found out what JJ had orchestrated between you and her baby daddy. She was pissed and wanted him to—”
Tyler doesn’t even finish, but he doesn’t have to for us to know what he was going to say. Victoria wanted him to pay. We’re all in shock, and I have no words. Liam shakes his head and closes his eyes. “I didn’t want any of this to happen.”