Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(65)

Paxton put his arm around Gabriella and before we could start toward the exit, Scar stepped in front of us, blocking our path. Even though Ryley was covered in blood, he put his arm protectively around my waist. Scar noticed the gesture and leered at both Ryley and Paxton. “Remember, stay quiet about all of this and all will be well. I’d hate to see something bad happen to one of your women.”

Ryley stepped forward and met Scar head on. “If you so much as breathe on them, I will kill you with no hesitation.”

“Then keep your mouths shut and there won’t be a problem.” Scar smirked and moved out of the way. Paxton didn’t waste any time getting us out of there as he charged through the crowd.

As soon as we got in the car, I knew all hell would break loose. Gabriella jumped in the front seat, while I sat in the back with Ryley. His body looked horrible, covered in blood and torn open in places. I was afraid to touch him for fear I’d cause him more pain.

“Paxton, we need to go to the hospital. Ryley’s going to need stitches,” I demanded. There were wounds torn open to the point I could see the muscle underneath.

Ryley scoffed. “I don’t need to go to the hospital. Just take me back to the hotel.”

“Are you serious right now? Look at yourself!” I shouted. Snapping his attention to me, his nostrils flared and his jaw tightened. “You can be pissed the f*ck off if you want, but you’re going to the hospital, and that’s final.”

“Do you want to know why I’m pissed?”

I already knew why, but I had to let him get it off his chest. He was going to blow up at some point, it might as well be now.

“I’m pissed because you put not only your life in harm’s way, but our babies’ lives as well. How could you be so stupid?”

“Uh-oh,” Gabriella mumbled.

“Stupid?” I asked, eyes wide. “If I didn’t show up, you probably would’ve made the biggest mistake of your life. You were two seconds away from snapping your brother’s neck. Our children are very important to me, but where would they be without their father, huh? They need you just as much as they need me. You can’t be there for them if you’re in jail. So right now, you’re going to the hospital and then we’re going back to the hotel. The next time you think what I did was stupid, I want you to remember that.”

Taking a deep breath, I turned away from him to look out the window. The rest of the ride was nothing but silence, even from Gabriella—which was utterly shocking. I’d said what I needed to say and hopefully it got to him. If what I did was stupid, I would do it again in a heartbeat.





WHILE GABRIELLA AND I waited in the waiting room, Paxton left to run to the hotel to fetch a change of clothes. Ryley didn’t have anything on except his fighting shorts, which were drenched in blood. We couldn’t have him going into the hotel like that.

“You made a solid point in the car,” Gabriella murmured. “I think you got to him when you said it.”

“He’s still pissed at me though, and I see his point. But I’m still angry at him for leaving. It was reckless and irresponsible.”

“We all were irresponsible. The night could’ve turned out differently, but we’re all okay and so is Ryley. All we can do now is be thankful.” I was going to be praying and thanking God for the rest of my life. I didn’t want to imagine what really could’ve happened.

About that time, Paxton strolled in with a set of clothes in his arms. “These should work,” he said, passing them to me. “Have you heard anything yet?”

I took the clothes and put them in my lap. “No, but I’m pretty sure it’s just going to be stitches. Why don’t you two go back to the hotel? I can wait here on my own.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Gabriella scolded. “I’m not going to leave you here to the wrath of Ryley all by yourself.” She sat back in the seat and folded her arms across her chest. Always the stubborn one.

“Seriously, guys,” I said, glancing at them both. “It might be best if you leave. I can handle Ryley. Besides, don’t you two have some terms to discuss?”

They both looked at each other, but Paxton was the one who spoke, “Actually, tonight’s not the night for that. We can discuss it later. It’s been a long night.” Getting to his feet, Gabriella reluctantly followed, but not before checking with me one last time.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes, now go. I’ll call you in the morning.”

Side by side, they walked out of the waiting room and disappeared around the corner. For the first time, I could breathe easily. Ryley won the fight and it was all over. The only thing I had to tackle now, was Ryley himself.

Leaning my head against the wall, I closed my eyes and started drifting off, only to be right back in the Dark Side, staring at blood. Lots and lots of blood. I thought Camden was a nightmare I couldn’t escape from, but the Dark Side was much worse. The way it smelled of death and decay would always and forever be ingrained in my mind. It was seriously a place you’d see in scary movies or in your worst nightmares.

Thankfully, I wasn’t in the depths of despair long, as a hand caressed my cheek and I was brought back to the present. Jerking awake, I opened my eyes to find Ryley kneeling in front of me, his sunken eyes boring into mine. He’d lost so much blood.