They need money, I need money. Maybe just a few more fights to get us all somewhat more in the black The shop is doing well, we’re not rolling in the dough, but we’re surviving.
My eyes drift to Roxie, her eyes closed, but the bruising is obviously getting darker. She looks so small, so helpless like this, even though I know she’s not.
But she is mine to protect.
Ty: I need you to set up at least four more. Higher weight class, more bets. We’re going to make some money.
I send the text and barely register the excited message back.
CHAPTER 21
“I’m going to kill him,”I groan, hissing as even muttering makes my chest feel like I’m breathing in shards of glass. My eyes open just enough to see Ty shove his phone into his pocket before he turns to face me fully.
“Don’t worry. There’s a line.”
I try to turn my head to the side to look at Ty properly–he’s gotta be pissed as hell, I know I would be if I walked into what he did–but my neck,goddamn, my neck.
“Don’t move, baby,” he says quickly, moving to sit on the side of the bed more so I can see him without having to move my head at all. “Asher’s getting some stuff to help. You’re… You’re in pretty bad shape, Rox. God, I… I’m so fucking glad you’re alive.”
“I feel like death,” I mutter, swallowing roughly.
“I’m sure you do. You just barely healed from the last fight and now this.” His voice sounds rough, and his eyes are open ashe lifts my hand to his lips. “I thought you were dead when I saw you laying on the kitchen floor, baby. You can’t keep doing this to me.”
“I’ll make sure it sticks next time,” I joke dryly and I can see the moment it doesn’t land well. Ty clenches his teeth, the muscle at his jawline jumping with frustration. His eyes narrow at me, mad that I’d even joke about me dying.
“Don’t think that, ever again. Do you hear me?” His voice drops low and dangerous like he wants to fight my own thoughts for me.
“I was just kidding,Daddy, calm down,” I say with a small chuckle and try to move my other hand in a dramatic wave, but the moment I move it I have to bite my lip to keep from crying out.
“What, what is it?” Ty asks quickly.
“What?” I ask, trying to play it off as nothing, but he’s not letting it go.
“What was that?” He gently sets the hand he’s holding down and then picks up my other one, but I jerk it back in fear of it hurting more. It’s a knee-jerk reaction and the moment it happens, I freeze.
I know Ty wouldn’t hold my fear against me, not at all, but that doesn’t mean that my actions don’t have the ability to hurt his feelings. Nervously making eye contact with him, I’m immediately lost in those chocolate irises. Ty’s looking at me with such openness I can see all that he’s feeling; worry, love, protectiveness, care, stress. But what I don’t see is anger.
At least not pointed at me.
“You broke your finger. The middle one is broken and your ring finger might be, but without going to the hospital for an x-ray, I just decided to splint them both. I know, I bet it hurts.” He nods empathetically and whispers against my hand in Spanish, kissing the top gently.
“What does that mean?” I ask softly, my words coming out just as soft as his did.
“My brave one… My strong girl.” The way he speaks those words… It takes my breath away.
Here’s this big intimidating, hot-as-fuck, guy and he’s looking at me like I’m the most precious thing he’s ever touched, calling me strong and brave when all I wanted was to hide?
“Ty,” I start to say, but I hear the door shut. Immediately, I’m on edge and start to shift away, but Ty puts his hand on my thigh to steady me.
“It’s just Asher,” he says soothingly and I groan in pain, resting back against the pillows.
“Goddamn, that hurt.”
“I’m sorry,” Ty apologizes and he’s so torn I can practically see him bleeding through his eyes with disappointment and despair.
He’s not just talking about the hurt. He’s apologizing for all of it.
Taking responsibility for it all.
