Page 97 of Last Round

“Molly, none of this makes any sense. Someone needs to tell me what the hell is going on. Because I’m feeling really fucking lost right now.”

“Whose fault is that? I tried to talk to you this morning. But Tony told you his little story and you believed him without a second thought.”

Sean ruffles his hair as he looks between the guys. Based on the ref’s less-than-thrilled expression, the boys aren’t calling it. “Tony lied?” Sean asks, as though the thought never crossed his mind until now.

I let out a cruel laugh. “Of course that asshole lied. If you pulled your head out of your fucking ass, you’d remember Killian is your best friend. Tell me, Sean, what would piss Killian off enough to risk his life in a fight like this? Pretend for a minute you aren’t mad at either of us and think about who he is.”

Sean goes pale as realization seems to finally dawn on him. “Molly?”

I fight to hold back the tears burning my eyes as my brother gives me the look. It’s the same one he gave me when he had to tell me that there was an accident at work and Dad was never coming home. I hate this fucking look. I never wanted to see it again.

I wipe my face on the sleeve of Killian’s sweatshirt, pull the phone out of my back pocket, and thrust it into Sean’s hand. “My passcode is six-eight-six. Watch the video.”

The ref yells “fight” and I’ve missed my chance.

“What’s wrong?” Bex asks as I get back to my spot.

“I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

“Okay.” She drapes her arm over my shoulder and pulls me close as we prepare to watch the conclusion of this nightmare.

This round starts off bad. Tony is quick to bring Killian down. He’s positioned between his knees again; the punches are endless. I’m about to yell something, anything, to encourage Killian to get up. But a familiar voice calls out instead.

“Pull him down!” Sean yells, as he stands in Killian’s corner. “Pull, damn it.” Killian does as Sean says. He reaches up, wraps his arms around Tony’s chest, locking his hands behind his back, and pulls him down in a tight hug. “Good, now trap his leg!” Sean continues to instruct Killian.

Declan takes a step back—the guy’s a skilled fighter, and I’ve seen how well he trains with Luke. But Sean and Killian have been fighting together since day one. No one knows what Killian needs better than my brother.

“Over hook… Hold him tight. Don’t you fucking let go… You got him, now bridge!... Hips up.”

Killian follows Sean’s orders, then swings Tony’s arm over and rotates him. Killian’s now in the dominant position and Tony is at his mercy. Killian doesn’t hold back as he lays down a combo of punches and finishes it off with an elbow. My ex goes limp and the ref blows his whistle. Everyone hollers in excitement, while a medic and Rusty check on Tony.

I push my way through the crowd of people surrounding and congratulating Killian. As soon as he catches sight of me, he pushes everyone aside and pulls me into him. His fingers thread through my hair as he kisses me passionately. He’s covered in blood, sweat, and whatever that damn jelly is they put on his face. But I don’t care. I clasp my hands behind his neck. His open palms grab my ass and I wrap my legs around him as he lifts me up.

“I was so scared,” I say between kisses.

“I fucking love you.”

“I love you too,” I say, crying as our lips remain locked.

“Marry me?”

I pull back and look at him, stunned.Did I hear him right?

“Come on, Kill, I’m taking you to the hospital,” Anita interrupts before I can respond. Killian looks between me and her.

“She’s right,” I agree. “You need to get your eye looked at.”

“All right, let’s get this shit over with.” He sighs before setting me down.

The Plan

Killian

Anitaistalkingtothe doctor, going over the scans the hospital took. She may not be a doctor herself, but with a decade of experience as an ER nurse, she could be if she wanted to. Molly is listening intently as they point at the screen. Good thing she’s paying attention, because I’m not.

No, I’m lost in a partially drug-infused haze. A spotlight shines over Molly; her red locks glow. She looks like a fiery angel. She casts her emerald gaze back at me.

It’s bad.

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