Ivy

“Remind me to never drive during the holiday season again,” Chaz grumbles. I’m exhausted and ready to climb into bed. The thought of sleeping alone has me wide awake in an instant. Wasn’t that long ago I yearned to sleep alone, now I no longer wish for it. I wish to be held, to sleep on a hard chest instead of curled up on the edge of the bed stuffing pillows behind me as if they’d protect me from the predator lying next to me.

They never did.

“Adam might have one eye open waiting, but Cade can put a bullet through a man’s heart in the dark. He’s going to be fine.”

I open my mouth to say something, anything, when I realize he's captured my thoughts.

“He’s breathed for this vengeance. Fought in a war that killed men standing right next to him. If he can survive that, he can survive a rich asshole who might think he can take him down. It won’t matter what I try to say to convince you not to worry. You will because you care. Coming home to a woman like you gives him a reason, Ivy.”

Restlessness hammers through me, silence falling over us as Chaz continues to inch along in the traffic, allowing what he said to sink into my bones. Only it doesn’t. A chill rips through the warmth of the vehicle. It whips in my face like a cold blast of air. The same kind of shiver whenever Drew was ready to bring me down, scatters across my body.

“You’re right. It will be morning before we know it. Thanks for working out with me.” Even though the man looks like a tall lumberjack with his long beard and hair, he’s done a huge favor by taking me to the gym. An even bigger one by trying to soothe the worrying ache in my chest.

I stretch my aching legs, wrapping my arms around my waist to help the chill that has suddenly crept up. It’s an unwanted feeling that reaches my cells, throwing me off balance and on high alert. “You always have a way of taking the worry off my mind. I’ll whip up some of my dad’s famous pancakes in the morning. Thanks again for everything you’ve done for me.” During one of our many talks about anything and everything, Cade told me how Chaz helped the night I was drugged. I’m not prepared to talk about that night. I don’t want to speak of it again. The mere thought of it turns this cold sensation to ice.

“Don’t mention it, Ivy. You take care of my brother. Stick by his side is the only thing I want in return. He had my back more times than I can count while we served. During those dark times when I was ready to self-destruct, he always brought up you and your smile. Talked about how kind you were. Told me things about the two of you that made me laugh. Felt like I knew you before we met. Have to admit, at first, I thought he was making you up to calm me down. The first time I told him that he pulled out a picture of the two of you. You were at the beach. The smile on your face was brighter than the sun shining. I think that photo helped him get through the years. It did Nick and me too.”

Tears sting my eyes. A knot growing thick in my throat, so abundant that I can barely breathe. I remember the day Cade took that. The ocean scared the shit out of me. It looked so much like Lake Michigan, but the thought of sharks and all the creatures in the water freaked me out. Cade chased me down the beach. Determined he was going to toss me in and drown my fear. I gave up, turned around, and he snapped my picture. I used to have a copy of that photo. Along with every memento I had of Cade and me, Drew burned them.

I let out a sigh, leaning my head back and blink back my tears. I’m glad Cade helped him, even happier he talked about me when he had reason to hate me for marrying Drew.

“Fucking finally.” Traffic is still ridiculously heavy as we merge over two lanes just in time to dip into the underground garage. Holiday season is beautiful in New York. It’s also beautifully tragic with shoppers everywhere.

The guard keeps his head down while tipping his hat. He doesn’t rap on the window like he’s done before. I’m not sure what it is about the way he looks at me when he lifts his head and makes eye contact with me, but it causes an outbreak of discomfort to prickle at the back of my neck.

As I’m studying him, I notice Chaz check the rearview mirror. He goes to open his mouth, but doesn’t have a chance to get a word out before the back and front of the SUV is smashed at the same time.

Confusion strikes. Bright lights blind me. My seatbelt locks with my chest thrusting me forward and backward. My neck snapping in a rush.

I scream. Before I can reach for my gun that’s tucked away in my clutch, the back passenger side door opens, and a cold serrated blade rests on my throat.

“You fucking this one too, Ivy? Well, not anymore. Keep your hands on the steering wheel, asshole. You’ve broken way too many rules this time, you fucking bitch. You’ve left me no choice once again but to teach you a lesson. I’m afraid a beating won’t be good enough for you, or a reminder fuck. It seems I don’t have any patience left where you’re concerned. Get out of the vehicle, Ivy.” The voice I hoped never to hear again is the cause of the unease rolling through me.

“She isn’t going anywhere with you. You’ve done pissed me off, motherfucker. Drop the blade, or I’ll blow your brains all over the place.”

All hell breaks loose as a bullet flies through the driver’s side window, busting it to pieces. My entire body shakes as the blade cuts into my skin, and blood mixed with shards of glass from the window splatter all over my face.

Chaz lifts his gun, points and without hesitation shoots the guard when he sticks his head in the window. More blood splattering everywhere.

Men swarm the outside of the car. Anthony points a gun directly at my head. Eyes wide with anger and a fierceness so intense I stiffen.

“Ivy, run.”

I bring my hand up and connect with a part of Drew that makes him grunt, shouting an ear-piercing scream that kindles from deep within my lungs. Vibrating inside my core.

I open the door to run when Anthony grabs me by the throat, swings me around and plasters my back to his front. His gun lodging against my temple.

Chaos erupts all around me.

Guilt crowds my thoughts.

Guns go off, bullets soar. Everything happens in a blurry vision.

The noise fades in and out right along with my heart.

Not even the darkness I succumb to will take away the sight of Chaz’s bloodied body slumped over the steering wheel.