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“Oh, I’m sorry.” Suddenly having lost my appetite, I push my plate away. “I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry.”Way to ruin your only chance at a friend here, Ivy.
“Rude not to eat food that someone makes for you girl. Better eat up.” Haley nods towards the plate. I pull it towards me again and force my way through another bite.
“It’s really not that big of a deal.” Violet says, waving away the tension. “I was found on the street by Lynx, abandoned and dirty. He brought me here instead of a shelter. Said kids end up in the system their entire lives once they go into foster care. He moved me into his house, and this old hag over here kind of ended being an aunt I never wanted.” She points at Haley, and Haley gives her a deep scowl.
Lynx?
“Old hag? You just earned yourself a night of being the designated dishwasher.”
“What?No fucking way.”
I eat another bite, watching the exchange with wide eyes until the familiar heavy boots start echoing through the empty bar area.
“Ivy.”
I turn my head, seeing Aziel staring at me with his arms crossed over his chest. His biceps flex and twitch through his plain white tee. I nearly drool at the sight. The art crafted on his arms is detailed and angry. A masterpiece of harsh lines that swirl and mix through the next piece. No color, no life is painted on his arms, but the perfection made into each stroke created a life of its own.
“Ivy.” My name is barked, this time angry. I look up from his flexed arm, seeing him staring at me differently than he has before. His eyes are cold, empty. Full of anger and hate. I’m suddenly anxious and uneasy to be in his presence. I’ve been around men that have looked like that in the past, and the situation has never ended up being a good one.
“Yes?”
“Come with me. The club wants to talk to you about a few things. Violet, Haley, you good to watch Lilah for a bit?”A few things, meaning Santiago.
Panic seizes me. “Oh, no.” I turn to Lilah, whose been sitting nicely in the stool the entire time. “Come with me, honey.”
“You know what? I think the last thing you’ll want is for that little girl to be around during the conversation. We don’t mind she stay with us for a bit. Maybe we can make some cookies? I might be able to find some ingredients in here somewhere.”
“Yeah, cookies!” Lilah breaks out in a toothy grin.
I look between all of them, trying to figure out what I should do. I mostly want to run and hide, even if that means locking myself in Aziel’s room and not coming out. Do I even trust this woman with my child? I don’t think Haley even likes me.
Although, honestly, I don’t trust anyone with Lilah.
“I—” I begin.
“Ivy, she’ll be fine. Come on, the guys don’t enjoy waiting. For anyone.” Aziel says.
Something grabs my chest and squeeze tight as I hop off my stool and bring Lilah into my arms. “Mommy will be back soon, okay? You be a good girl.”
“Love you, Mommy.” She puckers her tiny lips at me.
Bending down, a press a kiss to the top of her head. “Love you, too.”
“Ivy. Let’s go.” Aziel sounds impatient now, so with one last fleeting look I leave her behind as I walk towards him. The air changes the closer I walk towards him, the warm, dry California air turning into an eerie chill by the time I’m within touching distance. He doesn’t take a moment to spare me a glance, only grabbing onto my wrist and pulling me across the room. We end up in a narrow hallway that leads to a closed door. Aziel doesn’t knock, just walks right up to it and opens the door. Six men sit inside. Six grizzly, menacing looking men that are rough and edgy and not someone I would want to mess with. Ever. I mean, there’s Santiago’s men, who I would never—in a million years—mess with. These guys put Santiago’s men to shame
When the door closes behind me, it’s with an air of finality. Aziel sits down in a chair and I receive seven sets of cold eyes staring at me accusingly.
Well, this will be interesting.
11
Aziel
Ileave Ivy and Lilah in the yard as I head off for church. We haven’t had a meeting since we got back from Tijuana. It’s been chaotic. Between dealing with the new girl and getting in a fight with Cassius, I feel like my mind hasn’t stopped spinning.
The girl isn’t helping.
It’s like she webbed her way between the chaotic fibers of my brain and took hold. I haven’t been able to think straight since the moment I first saw her and it’s turning me sideways.
