Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 105065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 525(@200wpm)___ 420(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 525(@200wpm)___ 420(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
I swallow down the emotion in my throat and focus on Lachlan. I can’t believe they have to do this, because of me. It’s painful to watch, and I’m pissed as hell that Lach didn’t tell me about it. Before things get too bad, I take out my phone and send a quick text to Sasha to let her know what’s happening. Even though Ronan won’t admit it, I think it would mean a lot to him if she took care of him after.
The way that I plan to take care of Lach.
I shove my phone back into my pocket and cringe when Boris throws out a hook and socks Lachlan right in the jaw. He goes down with this one, and Ronan has to hold me back as I watch the Russian climb on top of Lach. He throws another series of punches, and blood is flying off of Lachlan’s face from every hit.
“Tell him to tap out!” I yell at Ronan.
But Lach won’t. He’s too fucking stubborn for that.
I’m sobbing now, waving my arms across the room at Johnny, trying to get his attention. I need him to stop this. I need him to call it. He sees me waving frantically and gives me a sad shake of his head.
It’s not over yet. Not until Lachlan taps out or knocks out.
I watch in horror as the guy pummels Lachlan into the ground relentlessly. Ronan is holding me back, and I’m screaming hysterically while people around me look at me like I’m insane. When his arms go limp and he stops fighting, I start screaming at Johnny again.
And finally, he calls the match.
I barely make it into the ring before I collapse onto Lachlan, pleading for him to be okay.
Chapter Forty-Two
Mackenzie
Lachlan is on a good dose of Oxy and whatever else the new doc at the fights pumped him full of before he sent us on our way.
Now I’m sitting in the bedroom with him, stroking his hair beneath my fingers. I know he’s okay, because he briefly woke up on the way home a few times. He refused to go to the hospital, but Conor’s got another doctor coming over to check up on him and Ronan. Sasha is in the parlor with him, and he’s in about as good of shape as Lach is.
I’m not expecting any other company, nor do I want it. So when Niall pokes his head into the room, it catches me off guard.
“Mind if I have a seat?” he asks.
I give him a tight smile. Like he even needs to ask. I’m still not sure what to make of this guy. But Lach respects him, and so I will too, for his sake.
“It was a very noble thing he did, wouldn’t ye say?”
“Noble,” I mutter. “Or stupid. Depending on who you ask.”
Niall smiles at me.
“His loyalty to ye has surprised me, I must admit. I didn’t see that coming.”
“That makes two of us,” I answer. “Is that his payment finished now?”
“Aye.” Niall nods. “They’ve agreed to wipe the slate clean. And ye know what Lachlan has agreed to give up for ye.”
I stare at his face in its relaxed state of sleep and wonder if I’m being selfish by wanting to hang onto him. But I can’t let him go either.
“Do ye love him too, then?” Niall asks.
“Yes.” I blink back my tears. “More than anything.”
“Would ye stand by him then,” Niall says. “No matter what may come?”
“Yes.”
“Give him children and be loyal to him for the rest of your days?”
“Of course.”
“Are ye not afraid to walk this path with him?” Niall asks.
“Not if he’s by my side,” I reply.
Niall smiles, and it’s genuine. “Then I believe the lad has chosen well. He’s proven his loyalty beyond measure. And for that, he will be rewarded.”
It takes me a moment to catch on, but when I do, I feel pride swelling in my chest. “You’re going to promote him?”
Niall stands and walks towards the door. “I think he’s earned it.”
And with that, he disappears down the hall.
***
A week has passed since Lachlan took the fall at the fights. He’s mostly better now, except for a few bumps and bruises. After I chewed him out, I spoiled him in every way that I could think of. Which included a lot of makeup sex and pancakes.
Niall stopped by to see him again when he was in a more lucid state of mind to break the news. In fact, the house has had more people in it these last few days than it ever has.
Scarlett’s been hanging out around a lot. She’s in this world now too, whether I wanted it or not. And Rory can’t seem to take his eyes off her. It’s too bad for him that I know Scarlett won’t let him in. She never lets anyone in.
Tonight’s the night it all becomes official. The syndicate will promote Lach in some sort of private ritual and then we’re all going to celebrate at Slainte. I’ve spent the last two hours getting ready and trying to pick a dress out. When I finally feel like I’ve decided, Lach appears in the doorway, looking as handsome as ever in his normal clothes.
“I’ve got something to say to ye,” he announces.
I tear my eyes away from the closet and move towards him. “Okay, what is it?”
His fingers are tapping against his thigh again.
“I know ye didn’t want this life,” he says. “Ye had no desire to be a part of this world…”
His words drift off and he looks at me, his face uncertain as he continues.
“And maybe it’s selfish of me to want to bring you into it,” he says. “But I do. I want to take care of ye, and protect ye, and any future children we might have as well. I swear to ye that I will. That I will do right by you, and the syndicate will too. You’ll never have to worry about that again.”
“What do you mean?”
“I want ye to marry me, Mack,” he says.