Page 33 of Ivy’s Poison

Already with drinks on their table, Ivy and Beth were studying their menus. Did they really think I was going to let them order an appetizer before we hauled ass and ran from a deadly biker gang? I was about to inform them they had lost their minds but then caught a glimpse of Jade in a highchair next to Beth, gnawing on a coaster.

Never seen nothin’ fucking cuter.

My heart melted realizing she was an eater, just like me.

Holding my tray—AKA, if-a-biker-were-to-interfere face smasher—firmly in my grip, I grumbled, “Can I, uh, take your order?”

Ivy’s body jerked as if instantly recognizing my voice. Beth, taking a sip of water, lifted a brow at her then peered up to me. Extremely displeased with their present actions and the fresh scar on Beth’s upper lip, I snarled from under the baseball cap. Apparently, I was more terrifying than I once thought. Beth spat her water across the table and onto Ivy’s face.

Ivy gasped, water dripping from everywhere. I offered the corner of my apron. “Here.”

She winced. “It’s dirty.”

“So?”

Wiping her face with a clean napkin, she told me, “You look ridiculous, Champ.”

“Well, someone thought it was time for brunch instead of getting her ass out the back door.”

She balked. “Are you calling me stupid?”

I bent over, getting in her face. “Need me to spell it out?”

Most would cower, but she leaned forward, meeting me head-on. In fact, her finger poked my chin. “You didn’t tell me what to do once we started Plan B, asshole.”

“I thought it was self-explanatory. Same as Plan A.”

“Stop being a dick.”

“Then get your ass out the back door.

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Ivy, you are poking a dog that bites.”

“You listen here. I’m scared as hell, so stop trying to turn me on with that sexy as hell aggression of yours.” She crumbled up the napkin and tossed it to the table with trembling hands. “You know what that shit does to me.”

That derailed my anger in a second flat. I smirked. “Good to hear, babe.”

Beth stood and grabbed Jade from the high chair while mumbling, “I have a feeling this twisted foreplay is going to be a regular event, Jade.”

On Beth’s hip, Jade smiled at me. If that wasn’t enough to rock my ever-loving-motherfucking-world, she then offered me her chewed coaster. I could barely inhale as I slowly reached out for the slobbery gift I was already planning on framing and treasuring for the rest of my life. Dumbfounded to the emotions in my chest, I whispered, “Thank you,” then slipped it in my front pocket.

I had been, momentarily, so distracted that I hadn’t even seen Ivy stand, a diaper bag hanging from her shoulder, staring at me with an adoring expression I couldn’t comprehend at the time. Nor did I notice the biker until he was entering the restaurant.

Ivy almost whimpered when she saw him peering around. Jesus, what have they done to you? Knowing my back was on the broader side, I pulled the girls in front of me before ushering them toward the kitchen, hoping to give us enough time to make it there undiscovered. Moving forward, the girls stayed quiet and nervously huddled as if understanding my actions completely.

Daring to peek over my shoulder, I silently begged the biker, Please check the bathroom first. I sighed in relief when he followed the restroom sign. Searching for two women and a baby, it made perfect sense the bathroom would be his first stop before assuming the worst.

I whispered to Beth, “If I have to kill him, please don’t let her see.”

Beth swallowed but didn’t show much surprise. She only nodded, resting her hand over Jade’s head, already sheltering her.

Once through the tiny hallway titled ‘Corner’, I pushed on their backs to pick up speed. I rushed them through the kitchen and out the back door, taking the diaper bag from Ivy and grabbing her hand. Even though there was no time, I still enjoyed how she clung to me without any hesitation. I had been so worried she couldn’t forgive me for strangling her, but Ivy was fearless when it came to me.

Opening the back hatch of the SUV, regrettably, I had to let go of the softness in my palm, and threw the diaper bag in. It landed next to the blankets, pillows, drinks, and snacks I provided to make the long trip a little easier. I had laid down the back row of seats to give them as much room as possible. “Cells.” Two cell phones were placed in my palm. “Lay down and stay down.” Maybe I could’ve been less direct, but again, I had no time. Nor was it my style.

No sarcasm was shared as they quickly did as they were told. Ivy crawled in then turned to accept Jade being offered by Beth. I couldn’t help but notice how these ladies were well rehearsed, and how Jade followed suit. Her little eyes were full of alarm as she quietly snuggled to her mother’s chest, not questioning them laying down. I wondered how many times they had hidden from lowlifes for self-preservation. By how they were acting, more times than I could handle.