Page 64 of A Promise For Tomorrow

“I’m fine, Liam. Thanks for asking.Gah,” she fans herself. “It’s these pregnancy hormones that are making me a total emotional mess.” She laughs sweetly, leaning forward to place a kiss on her brother’s cheek. “I’m happy for you,Hermano. Mamá would be too. Anyways, I’m off to go find Kil.” She sniffles again before excusing herself.

“Listen, I am sorry for what I said about Madison earlier. You were right to have threatened me. I deserved it.” My attempt at an apology is put on hold as we both direct our attention to the woman we both fell in love with.

The one making her way towards us with purpose.Fuck. What did Lainey say to her?The expression on her face is not good. Not good at all.

She is a woman on a mission.

Diego chuckles, leaning against the bar and taking a sip of his blood orange margarita.

I look at the bartender in desperation. My expression must have sold her. A rock glass with two fingers of my favorite whiskey slides in front of me not a breath later. I take a healthy sip as Madison reaches us.

“Godspeed,” Diego snorts facetiously behind his glass.

I glare at him, knowing he knows this woman’s wrath when she’s mad.

Madison makes herself known, clearing her throat as she stands between the two of us. We direct our attention to her—and like the coward I can be around her—I keep my mouth shut.

“Have a nice chat?” Diego eggs her on.

Arsehole.

“Excuse me…” She gets the bartender’s attention. “Can I please have what he is drinking?” Surprisingly, she points to my glass.This is bad. Madison loves her tequila. She even has a thing for gin or vodka. When she drinks whiskey you know she’s deep in her feelings.

The bartender pours her drink, handing it to her. Maddy takes two large swigs. My fists clench seeing Diego’s amused face.

“Fuckthat burns,” she rasps pressing her left palm to her sternum. That’s when I spot her ring.How could you not?The thing is huge.

A perfect diamond nestled between two radiant sapphires slaps me square in the face.

Literally and figuratively.

I step back in shock.Madison just slapped me.

“That’sfor talking about my sex life in front of everyone.” She grips my shirt and tugs me forward by the collar, getting close to my face. “I need you to get your shit together and get over me, Liam. I know it’s not easy. We shared something special. There is no denying that. But I have moved on. You need to do the same. Diego proposed again and I said yes. We plan on building a life together. There doesn’t need to be awkwardness or even tension between us all. I’d like to keep our friendship if you can handle it. But,apparently,you can’t. Don't tell her I said this, but Lainey is deeply hurt by your actions as of lately. Especially when it comes to me. You can’t continue to keep her at arms length. She deserves better than that. Either claim your woman or let her go. I refuse to be the reason you two have issues.” The anger radiates out of her like steam coming off a hot spring.

Her white knuckled hand releases my shirt as she takes another sip of her drink. Diego drapes his arm over her shoulder and places a kiss to her temple. I expect another jab, but he remains quiet, letting Madison have her moment.

I know what you’re thinking…Oh my God, she hit him. Stop. Just stop right there. Welcome to the underworld. We handle things differently here. Red flags are green flags in our world. Hell, I trained her to do that.

I’m actually quite proud. She’s grown a lot. Stood up for herself.

Anger and lust simmer under the surface of my skin. The sting I feel on my face is turning me on. Had this happened a year ago, I would have tossed my woman over my shoulders and fucked the sass right out of her.But she’s not. And that’s the problem. Perhaps I should stay single. I need to focus on being a good leader. Shit like this,the drama. I don’t need it. Madison was the exception. Quite frankly, she is the only one who can ever really penetrate my walls.

This. This person. It’s who I am to my core. I am an arsehole. Madison and I not working out destroyed what was left of my heart. It was stupid of me to ever consider replacing her.

I finish my drink, slamming the glass onto the tiki bar. “I’ll handle it. I never meant to offend you. You’re right. I have a hard time erasing the past. Congrats to the two of you, by the way. I see your ring is back where it belongs. Cheers.” I raise my refreshed glass to the two of them before storming off towards the bonfire where Lainey is.

Lainey spots me headed her way. She pats the space next to her on the oversized bean bag chair, but I remain standing. Her brows come together in concern at my dickhead behavior. Her bare feet hit the sand as she stands, stepping into my space. A shaky hand grips my bicep.

“I take it you and Madison had a chat.” Her tone gives her away. She’s hurt and she’s pissed.

“I can’t do this, Lain.” I spit it out, getting right to the point.

“What did she say to you?” Her voice raises an octave over the bass of the music.

“It doesn’t matter. Leave her out of this.” I bark before inwardly cringing at my behavior.

A scoff leaves her lips before she storms off. Over her shoulder she shouts, “Fuck you, Liam.”

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