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CHAPTER 18
IVY
My heartbeat quickens while we wait. I should feel nervous, especially after what Daisy said the last time we met, but my stomach bubbles in excitement. Sure, there’s a possibility this is a trap that Daisy cooked up with the Killers Club. At least if I’m going to die, I’ll die happy knowing that my sister is okay.
Seb paces while Callen thinks only of his stomach and scoffs crisps like usual. Bram stands behind me like an impenetrable statue. We’re not touching, but his reassuring presence lets me know he’s not going anywhere. Freddie sits on his own in the corner. He looks terrible, but his eyes sparkle with determination. He grips the chair arms tightly, alert and ready for action.
“How much longer will they be?” Callen complains. “They’re late.”
“They’ll be here,” Freddie says.
“I want it on record that I think this whole meeting is a stupid idea,” Callen says.
“No one asked for your opinion, dipshit,” Seb hisses.
The minutes tick by. Another ten. Twenty. Forty. They’re a full hour late. Daisy always used to be punctual, exasperatingly so. She hated being late for anything. What else has changed over the last five years? Does any of the old Daisy remain? I know I’ve changed, but I’m still me… I think.
Callen strolls to the mini-bar. “I need to toast this failure.”
As soon as he picks up a bottle, a knock on the door makes everyone jump into action.
“Remember what we agreed,” Freddie says. “We?—”
“We’re not hurting anyone,” Seb says, taking over. Freddie’s momentarily taken aback, then lowers his head to yield. He’s not their leader and shouldn’t be firing off orders. Seb looks pointedly at Callen. “Do you understand?”
“Understood,” Callen mutters reluctantly.
“Freddie, you get the door. Bram, stay with Ivy, no matter what.” The big man already made his intentions about not leaving my side clear. “And Callen?” Seb runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “Just be on your best behaviour.”
Yeah, fat chance of that.
Freddie peers through the peephole. I half-expect his brain to be blown out, but a bang doesn’t come.
“She’s come alone,” Freddie says. His hand rests on the door handle cautiously, waiting for Seb’s approval to proceed.
“Open it,” Seb says.
He opens it slowly, edging inch by inch, keeping the chain in place.
“Are you going to keep me waiting forever?” Daisy snipes from the other side.
I bite my lip to contain a laugh. She’d never have dared speak to anyone like that before, no matter how much I encouraged her to speak her mind. I’d be proud if it wasn’t for knowing how she’d developed her new no-bullshit attitude.
Freddie undoes the chain for her to step inside. He closes the door behind her, triple-locking it like we’re in a high-security prison.
Seeing her is like staring at a ghost. Her blonde hair has been smoothly straightened out. It looks like an expensive dye job, but I miss her wild red curls. Her tight black jeans and top show off her sculpted figure. Her legs are muscular, and her arms are defined, showing she’s no stranger to working out. She’s powerful.
“Do you want to sit down?” Seb gestures to the comfy sofa.
She crosses her arms. “I’ll stand.”
She still hasn’t made eye contact with me.
“Thanks for calling,” Freddie says.
Her eyes narrow. “Let’s make one thing clear. I wouldn’t have come to you if I had any other choice.”
“What do you need, Daisy?” I ask.
