Page 40 of Ivy’s Poison

“Sister Mary told me some kids’ anger made them special, and that some of God’s workers would be judged without being seen for what they truly are. At a certain age, training began. I was groomed for one in particular. Now, I work for him.”

“The one who wants you to kill my dad?”

“That is correct.”

“How did she die?”

The color drained from his dark skin. “Her murder was revenge for one I committed.”

I repeated words he once said to me. “No relationships.”

His large shoulders were defeated as they slightly shrugged. “I thought it best, yes, but… Jade. She… You made me hope for a chance at…” He looked at the old ivory tiles, not finishing the sentence.

“A chance at a normal life?”

“I can’t quit my job, Ivy. Normal will never be for me, but maybe there’s a chance for wanting someone to come home to after a job.”

“Like killing my dad?”

He blew out a stressed breath. “Babe, even if my boss were to retract that kill, I will still kill him for what he’s done to you.”

My chest tightened. He watched as I rubbed the ache.

“If he were to find you, without me to protect you, what would happen?”

I winced just thinking about it. “I tried to escape once. It was bad… I probably won’t survive it again.”

“And Jade?”

My throat closed to the point I could barely breathe. I whispered, “He’d kill her.”

“The risk is too fucking high. I gotta take him out.”

I released a shaky breath. “I’m going to try to live with that.”

“Thank you.”

I gestured to him. “I’m sorry I wanted to run. Who you are… What you are… I got scared.”

He swallowed. “I-I didn’t mean to scare you.”

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, reopened my eyes, and spoke the truth. “I see now that you didn’t. Rumors did. My past did. My unknown future did. And the love for my child has me afraid, too.”

“Babe, I’ve only known her for like a day, and she already has me. I can’t even imagine you,” he gestured to my body, “making her.”

That had me giggling. “You had a part of that making, don’t forget.”

Air rushed out of his lungs. “I’ll never forget either of you.”

“I don’t want you to forget us.”

I took a step toward him but stopped when he hissed, holding his hands up. “Don’t come closer unless you’re staying. I can’t let you go twice, Ivy. I-I… just can’t.” Bors appeared so sincere, so full of heart, there was no threat in his warning. His scary appearance was fading rapidly and being replaced with butterflies in my stomach.

“I…” This is the right choice, Ivy. I can feel it. “I want to stay… Bors.”

His body literally jolted when I spoke his real name, but he said nothing.

“Can I? Can we stay with you?” His eyes were so entranced by me that I dared to step forward, accepting his silence as a yes. “I don’t want to run… from you.” Almost to him, I said, “I want us to have a chance.” His sight never left me as I stepped to him, chest to stomach. I held up the necklace, offering to put it back around his neck. Watching me, Bors bent over so I could reach. Then, I slipped my empty hand into his. “Does this feel right to you, too?”