I couldn’t stay.

When the sun rose, I woke, selfishly basking in Ali’s embrace. Her arm was draped over my stomach, her hand resting listlessly against the mattress. Like the asshole I was, I extracted myself gently, trying not to wake her.

She looked so peaceful, so content…

But I couldn’t stay knowing that tomorrow night‬, I was going into a fight that might be the end of me. Her hating me for walking out on her again… Well, it was better than her losing me to The Underground. ‬‬‬‬‬

Leaving Ali’s, I switched off my phone and headed straight to the gym. I had one last day to prepare, to get my focus back on track, but the entire time I lifted my usual set of weights, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Last night had been better than the first time we’d fucked. I wasn’t even sure I could call it fucking anymore. It felt like more. The moment she came was better than my release spilling inside her tight little body. After all the one nighters I’d had over the years, one thing had always stood out. I’d wanted to get off, and that was it. Now I gave a shit about pleasing her. Pleasing Ali.

Did that mean I loved her? If it did, then I had a funny way of showing it.

* * *

That night, I went to The Underground to see Faye.

She was working the bar as usual but was headed out on her break when I found her. Her blonde hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, her tight T-shirt and short shorts doing nothing to draw my attention. Not anymore.

“Faye.”

She glanced up, and when her gaze crossed mine, she glared at me with all the hate I probably deserved. I was more than happy to take the hit. I’d fucked up pretty bad, and even when I knew I was doing the wrong thing, I still went and did it.

I was a complete idiot.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “For everything. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me.”

She rolled her eyes. “I can get you started if you like.”

“Faye.”

Narrowing her eyes, she leaned back against the bar. “The big, macho, cage fighter is apologizing. Never thought I would see the day when hell actually froze the fuck over.”

“I’ve made a mess of everything,” I said, running my hand over my face. “I know I fucked up, and I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, you have, but so did I.”

I scowled. “You? What did you do?”

“I kept sleeping with you when I should’ve said no,” she replied. “I knew Ali was trying to hide her feelings, but I didn’t see it. Not right away. Now she’s…” She trailed off, looking like she was about to burst into tears. I’d never seen Faye upset. Ever.

“Now she’s what?” I prodded.

“She’s got no one, Liam,” she replied, looking up at me. “No friends, no family, no job. She’s about to lose everything.”

“No family?” I asked, my heart sinking. Everyone had a mum and dad, right?

“Her parents died when she was a teenager. A truck driver hit their car head on, and they died on impact. Ali never knew her extended family, and they never sought her out. She’s been alone and hurting a long time. More than half her life.” Faye sighed, her shoulders sinking. “No one cared until us, and we both hurt her. I didn’t mean to, but… I feel so rotten.”

“That’s why…” My throat tightened. That was why she asked me to stay. She saw more than she let on. There she was offering me everything when she needed it just as bad. How hadn’t I seen it?

“I don’t know what to do,” Faye said. “I want to help her, but I don’t think she would accept money. Maybe I could ask her to move someplace with me. I’ll cover the bond or something. Get her out of that overpriced apartment.” She sighed. “I would have to get her to forgive me first.”

Faye was a good person. I’d always known it, even though our relationship had been left of center. She wasn’t like other women, but it didn’t mean she wasn’t worth more than a bit of fun. She had a big heart—that was how I knew I could trust her.

“Faye, I’m fighting Viper tomorrow night‬,” I announced. ‬‬‬‬‬

Her head flew up. “What?”

“He was using Ali to get to me. He saw the way I was acting around her, and he tried to…” I sighed. “It was either fight him in the cage or have him come after me outside The Underground. Either way, he’s going to try to—”

“Don’t say it,” she exclaimed, turning her face away. She took a few deep breaths, looking thoroughly rattled. She knew what it meant.

“Ali needs to stay away,” I went on. “I know she’s probably not going to come back anyway, not after I fucked with her again, but I have to be sure. We… We said some heavy shit to one another last night.” I sighed, thinking about the moment I confessed my greatest fear to her. Abandonment. “If something happens to me…”

“Don’t fight him, Liam,” Faye pleaded. “It’s not worth risking your life.”

“What else can I do? Run away like a coward?”

“Yes,” she said, grasping my hands. “Leave and don’t come back. Saving yourself is nothing to be ashamed about.”

I shook my head. “I can’t.”

“You can.” Her eyes darted around wildly as she racked her brain for scenarios. “You can apologize to Ali, win her back, and take her away someplace. You’ve got money. Take her overseas.”

“Ali won’t take me back,” I said grimly. “I went there last night to make sure she would never come looking for me. She can’t come back here. Now or ever. Anyway, I’ve blown it. It’s over. It’s for the best.”

“You keep telling yourself that,” Faye said. “You’re sacrificing everything. You realize that, don’t you? Did you ever stop to think you’re worth more than that? There are people who would throw down for you too, Liam.”

“Yeah? Who?” I rolled my eyes.

“Me, for starters. And Ali.”

I snorted and shook my head. It was over. Done.

“You have to realize that you’re not in this alone, Liam,” she went on. “You don’t have to do this. Push everyone away. You don’t have to fight alone.”

“I have to,” I said with a growl. “I made this mess.”

Faye shook her head, scowling at me like I was a dumb ass. “She’s fallen for you, you dipshit. As in love. Don’t you—”

“Promise me something,” I said, cutting her off.

“Anything.”

I glanced up at her and didn’t like what I saw. Desperation.

“Promise me you’ll keep her away from this place. If things go bad… I don’t want her to see it.”

Faye stared at me for a long time before she nodded. “I really wish you would reconsider. What you’re doing is stupid as hell, but it’s coming from a place of love.” She smiled sadly. “You love Ali. You’ll realize it sooner or later.”

I grunted, not wanting to acknowledge any of it. All I could focus on was the fight. Everything hinged on it.

“Liam…”

“It’s my mess,” I said, glancing out across the warehouse. “Now I have to clean it up.”