“At first, I thought it was just the chase you liked. She was the first chick who wasn’t ripping off her shirt and panties to get into bed with you at the snap of your fingers. But, the more I saw you with her, the more I realized it wasn’t that at all.” He pauses and takes a sip of his drink before continuing. “She’s changed you. I haven’t seen you look at another chick, no offense Arianna, since the moment you met her. I’m not trying to be sappy, but I honestly think you found your girl.”
“Careful, man.” I smirk. “Your romantic side is showing.”
He shakes his head with a chuckle. “All I’m saying is you should talk to her when this is over and figure out a way to fix it, Brooks.”
My phone buzzes on the table. My eyes dart to it, and I see my sister’s name flashing.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“Sebastian, it’s Mark.”
“Mark?” I question. “What’s going on? Why do you have Madison’s phone?”
I jump from the table, immediately knowing something is very wrong.
“Madison? What’s going on, Brooks?”
I ignore Jax and wait for Mark to explain.
“Devin and Madison were attacked….”
Holy shit.
Everything stops.
The people around me become a blur.
The din of the bar dulls.
My heart hammers in my chest.
Sirens blare in the background of the call, and it sends waves of panic crashing through me. It feels as if I’ve been holding my breath for a lifetime before he speaks again.
“Devin is on her way to New York Presbyterian. They won’t know how bad the injuries are until they can contain everything, but you need to get there.”
“What about Madison?” I choke out, torn between two of the most important women in my life.
“She’s okay—better than Devin. The paramedics are treating her now, but they recommend her seeing a doctor as well, just to be safe. I’ll take her up to the hospital to get checked out.”
“Thanks. I’m heading to Devin now.” I disconnect the call and sprint out of the restaurant, stealing a cab from a couple about to get in. “I’m sorry,” I call out over my shoulder as Jax shoves in behind me. “Emergency.” Arianna closes the door just as I shout for the cabbie to hurry. “New York Presbyterian.”
