20. Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Ivy

I had given Axel time to heal. He was broken when he arrived on my doorstep. And now, he was ready to face what he had done and figure out a way to save the Raven Boys Clubhouse.

Walking out of my apartment hand in hand, we silently got on his motorcycle and drove the short distance to where the infamous clubhouse once stood. Arriving and seeing the shell of the building that once stood with so many memories, almost took my breath away. I could feel Axel tense up as he parked his bike.

All of his brothers and several of the bikers who frequented the clubhouse were waiting on us to arrive. There was an unspoken brotherhood between them and I was happy that Axel was surrounded by family, regardless if they were blood or not.

"Hey man. How are you feeling?" Jagger asked as he eyed us both.

"Better," Axel said sharply.

I knew Jagger wouldn't take offense to Axel's attitude. It had been a rough night and we were all healing the best we could.

"Any news from the insurance company?" Axel asked Drake as he held a folder.

Nodding, Drake looked grim as he began to speak. "Talked with our insurance provider. He stated we have enough to cover the rebuilding of the clubhouse, but we have to prove it wasn't our fault."

Axel's mouth dropped open and the fire burned deep in his eyes. "Wait a minute," he said, holding up his hands. "We lost a building that has been in our family for years, and now we have to prove it wasn't our fault?"

Watching Axel grow agitated, I could sense his anger building up. We all knew who was responsible for the fire, but without hard proof, there was nothing we could do.

"We are all just as pissed as you are," Drake said, trying to calm his brother. "But, we have to provide proof. The Fire Chief said it would take a few more days for their report to be finalized."

"We don't have a few days," Axel said, moving past the crowd around us and toward where the clubhouse once stood. "This building was our childhood. It was our parents and our family. We need to get started now," he shouted.

His words rang in the air and I felt myself jump from their abrasiveness.

"We will figure this out," I said, stepping up to help everyone. It was clear, Axel was far too gone to talk to rationally.

"How?" Jagger asked, turning to face me.

"Chuck and his gang of shitheads played dirty, now we play dirty too," I said, narrowing my eyes where the man I loved stood hurting.

I wanted to cause Chuck as much pain as he was causing Axel and his brothers. I was sure, those men and women who didn't feel the same sense of family bond as the men and women here felt, were nestled up on a barstool at Chuck's bar across town. It was time for us to get our revenge.

"I knew I liked you, Ivy," Jagger said as he threw his arm around me.

Turning back toward us, Axel shot me an evil look. "Never going to happen, Ivy. You are not going to get involved in anything that has to do with Chuck," Axel said as he walked back over to me. From the daggers he was throwing with his eyes to his friend and clubhouse brother, I knew Jagger needed to remove his arm from around my shoulder. Now.

Thankfully, Jagger was smart enough to not push Axel, especially during a time like this .

"Axel, I love you and I want to help. And, I do what I want," I said, standing my ground.

A few of the men chuckled and I watched as Drake and Jagger eyed us carefully. I could tell they weren't sure if they should be impressed with my brazenness or terrified that Axel had met his match.

"Ivy…"

Axel tried to argue with me, but I just wasn't having it.

"Axel, my mind is made up. Now, do you want to hear my plan or not?" I asked with my hands firmly planted on my hips. I watched his face carefully knowing I had already won.

I had made a decision and once I set my mind to something--there was no stopping me.