“I did it for you!” I say loudly, the force and volume making me wince in pain, whining slightly as my eyes scrunch up.
I do not like to whine. I can’t.
“Goddamn it, Roxie,” Ty says under his breath and he comes around to stand by me again, kneeling at my head this time. “Look, let’s put this on pause until you’re better. Until you can sit up without looking like you’re going to cry at the very least. But don’t think for a second that I’m okay with it or that I understand why you did what you did.”
“Fine,” I say softly, all the fight in me leaving. I… I can’t do this… I knew that if he and I ever crossed paths he would’ve beenupset, but I thought he would understand. Unless, of course, he found the right guy or girl to erase my memory.
I breathe deeply through my nose, exhaling through my mouth to steady myself through the pain.
“What do you need?” Ty asks. The tone of his voice is almost gentle now. Now that he got some of his frustration out. I know he hasn’t even skimmed the surface of his frustration, still waters run deep. Especially with him.
“Nothing. I’m fine.” I don’t need anything from him. I’m going to get my shit together, and figure out how to get back to Oaktown. If I don’t… Well, let’s just say that when I get back, Mickey will make my torment worse.
I’m his prize-horse. One of his revenue streams and there’s no way he isn’t keeping tabs on me. I owe him too much money for him to just let me go. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if he chipped me like a bitch.
“Where’s my phone?” I ask groggily. This talk, the fight, knowing Mickey will punish me for stopping the fight, finding Ty again…it’s all just too much.
“Let me get it for you,” Ty says, his voice a little kinder as he rifles through a bag and grabs my phone. Cracked and broken.
“Fuck.”Just what I needed. Just…one more goddamn thing to add to the day.
“Who were you there with?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Roxie,” Ty’s voice drops to a lower register. A warning.
“Mickey. He’s my…foster brother.” I spit the words like battery acid in my mouth. “He’s also the one that sets up my fights, controls the money and bets,and the one that’s made my fucking lifehell on earthfor the last six years.”
The moment those words leave my lips I know I said too much.
Ty stands up slowly, his whole body dwarfing mine like a cloud that covers the sun.
“What did you say?”
CHAPTER 12
I thinkI might kill someone.
Mickey? That sick fuck who challenged me to fight his fighter six years ago, and when I won, I watched him punch his guy. The way he spoke to him…
No. Fuck. That.
“Nothing, nothing. I shouldn’t… I need to leave,” Roxie sits up abruptly, pushing the blanket off and pushing to standing, just like I am.
And I’m in fucking awe.
Here she is, bruised and battered, definitely has a concussion and all this emotional shit we’ve just barely scratched the surface of, and she’s still standing tall. Shoulders back and her head held fucking high like there should be a crown perched on top.
A crown for a queen.
My queen.
“No, Roxie. You’re hurt, you’re staying here where Asher and I can help you.” I have to get her to stay. I watched her walk away from me once, I don’t think I’d survive a second time.
“I can’t. Thank you, that’s the sweetest thing for even offering after all this time, but no. I can’t.” Her dark eyes hold more than just careful words and the pain she’s in. There’s fear there. She’s terrified.
And it puts me on edge.
