Page 45 of Ivy’s Poison

I hadn’t noticed until then, but Ivy wasn’t even eating. Her head rested on her hands, propped on her elbows, and her slender finger was tapping her chin while she studied me.

The time had come to come clean. “I have good news and bad news.”

Both women took a gander at my plate then each other, then paled.

With extreme caution, Ivy told me, “Good news first.”

Inhale… Exhale… “There are not as many members searching for you as before.”

Her whole body started to tremble in her chair. “What did you do?”

I raised my hands. “Babe, ya gotta trust me on this one.”

Her chair slid back before she stood in a hurry, her body rigid. “Is he dead?”

“Your dad? No.” Fighting to not get irritated with her for caring for the SOB, I growled, “He’s still alive for me to kill.”

Jade stopped chewing when her mom choked out, “You said you would warn me.”

“Why the fuck you think we’re talking?”

She started pacing. “I’m not ready.”

Jade started to whimper. Nervously, Beth quickly rose from her chair and grabbed Jade in an attempt to comfort her, but my kid pushed at her chest and reached for me.

Taking Jade into my arms so she could rest on my shoulder, I told Ivy, “I’m not sure you will ever be ready, but here’s a newsflash, he put a hit on your head.” As Ivy’s next step faltered, I immediately regretted those words, wishing like hell I knew how to talk instead of yell. “Babe, I’m sorry—”

Now, she was the one raising her hands. Her whisper broke my heart. “Mercy. You win, Bors. I know you will, but I need some mercy from you right now.” She walked past me, sure not to touch me, then out the back door.

“Babe—”

Beth touched my arm with kindness, like Sister Mary. “Let me try, baby. Okay?”

Swallowing, I tried to explain, “Keep her in the light of the backyard so I can watch you guys from the window.”

She nodded. “I will keep her safe.”

With one arm, I pulled her to my side, then whispered, “You can’t. There’s a hit on your head, too.”

Because of the horrified expression on her face, one that I hoped would not express fear again, I decided to not tell her that my daughter was also on the list.

Yeah, I blew the place up, for good reasons. That is what had me calling out for Jade; it was my real-life nightmare. At least it was all almost over.

A little while later, the girls came back inside. They were, understandably, solemn. I was by the window, like I had been the whole time, watching over them while they sat on the porch, staying in the light, quietly talking. Jade was sleeping on my shoulder when her mom came to me, wrapping her arms around my waist, resting her chest to my chest. She whispered, “I’m sorry,” while touching Jade’s leg.

I rested my chin to the top of her head. “I wish I could make this better for you.”

She kissed my chest. “You are. It’s just, years of abuse is hard to recognize or face… or handle when it is by your only living parent.” She exhaled so much regret and pain I could practically feel it. “Who’s left?”

“Your dad, uncle, and the VP, Meth.”

Beth covered her mouth to muffle tears. I told her, “I won’t get mad. I’m trying to understand you girls missing assholes. I really am. It’s okay to cry.”

The woman tried to compose herself. “Oh, Champ, so much history got wiped out in one blast. I’m simply trying to catch up.”

“I—” felt like shit, “was worried, had you guys known, you would’ve carried guilt.”

She patted her chest as if trying to breathe. “Yep. You are right. That burden…” She shook her head no, letting me know I made the right call.