Chapter Two

IVY

Adrenaline surges through my veins as I shoot up from between Dash’s legs. “Void, stop!” I yell, my heart pounding so hard I can’t catch my breath, but the idiot has taken off quicker than I can even comprehend.

Dash scowls at me. “We weren’t doing anything wrong, Ivy.”

“Dash, I had my head between your legs.” I huff. “It would have come across a whole lot different from where Void was standing.”

Dash grimaces, his eyes dropping to the now lanced boil on his inner thigh. “Well, I appreciate you helping me. It does feel better since you released the pressure.”

My eyes shift to the stairs. “I should—”

“Go… I can patch myself up.”

“Don’t forget the antiseptic,” I add, pulling my gloves off with a snap and throwing them in the trash, then heading for the stairs.

It’s not like Void and I are in any sort of relationship, and I wasn’t actually doing something with Dash. I was merely helping him. So I shouldn’t feel the need to explain myself, but the hurt in Void’s eyes was clear. He thought I was sucking the life out of Dash, and that’s not okay.

I don’t want him upstairs wallowing over something which simply isn’t true. Void and I might not be in a good place, but I don’t need to make matters worse by letting him believe something that simply isn’t there, so I rush to find him. To stop him from spiraling out of control, which he seems to have a university degree in.

As I enter the clubhouse, it’s calm and quiet. At least Void hasn’t come up here in a rage, making a damn scene and embarrassing the shit out of me. My eyes quickly scan the area. Over to my left, I find him sitting at the long, concrete bar.

His strong, tattooed arms rest on the black marble-effect slab as he sips on something amber—probably whiskey. His dusty blond hair is swept back over his head haphazardly like he’s been brutally running his fingers through it.

As I stride toward him, he turns. It’s obvious Void is overtired, and he looks frazzled. His strongly defined jaw is clenching from side to side like he’s grinding his teeth, and his nostrils are flaring the way they do when he’s angry. The left one is turned up slightly more due to his crooked nose from one too many fights, but for me, that only makes him more endearing. His muscles flex under his shirt—it’s clear he’s having trouble holding himself together.

I hate that I’ve put him in this rage-fueled state.

Void might be revved up, but damn, it’s a good look on him.

Stacey wipes the countertop while Pepper stocks liquor bottles on the shelves behind the bar. I take in a deep breath before I step up to him. He’s drinking his problems away, as per fucking usual.

It’s time Void faced them head-on like a man instead of running away like a fucking child. His eyes shift to mine as I approach, then focus back on his glass. “Didn’t even let the poor bastard bust a nut? That’s shitty of you.”

I scoff. “You pendejo asshole!”

Void turns up his lip, then takes another drink.

Stacey turns and walks down the other end of the bar, obviously to give us space to argue in private.

Void swivels on his chair, turning his back to me. All the action does is cause my anger to flare inside me even hotter. Never upset a Cuban woman if you want to live.

“You know what? You’re not even w-worth it anymore.” My voice comes out a little louder than I wanted it to, breaking a little with the pain searing through me at Void’s detachment.

He shrugs with his back still to me. “Good. Go back and finish Dash off. You don’t want him pissed off at you for not doing a good job.”

“Deja de comer mierda!” I throw my hands in the air, spinning to walk away, but slam straight into Dash’s hard chest.

“No disrespect, VP, but you shouldn’t talk to Ivy that way.”

Void lets out a small laugh as he turns on his stool. His hard eyes pierce through Dash with such vicious intent, even I feel the burn. “This conversation isn’t for you, prospect. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave.”

With a sharp inhale, Dash nods and turns to leave, but then looks back over his shoulder and continues anyway. “Just so you’re aware, because Ivy’s too worked up to tell you, what you thought you saw? You didn’t. Ivy was lancing a boil on my thigh. You know, putting her medical training to good use. So, while you’re basically calling her out and slut-shaming her for no good reason…” He pauses and looks to the ceiling. “Maybe you should respect her for the amazing professional she’s turning into.”

I give Dash a weak smile, and he hightails it out of here before Void has a second to punish him for speaking out of turn.

My eyes shift back to Void. His electric blue orbs are vacant, with a shadow of what looks like regret. Small droplets of sweat top his brow, and a deep frown etches into his features.

He exhales, placing his drink on the bar, then stands, walking over to me.

My eyes drop to the floor as he grumbles under his breath. “Don’t… don’t do that. You’re so full of fight and fire. Don’t lose your confidence because I’m a fucking jerk.”

My stomach clenches at his admission as I slowly look up at him. There’s a pained expression on his face, and he pinches the bridge of his nose. “I am an asshole, Ivy. I fucked up. I only saw half a picture. I reacted… I just…” He exhales, running his hand through his hair. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know who I am when I’m around you.”

I stand taller. “You hurt me. No one has ever talked to me the way you just did.”

Void grimaces and reaches for my hand, taking it in his comforting hold. I let him, despite the hurt simmering. The second our fingers connect, my heart slams into my chest wall, making it hard to catch my breath. My skin comes alive, tingling with pins and needles, but in a damn good way. I’ve never felt more energized or electro-charged than when Void touches me.

It’s like every atom in my body fires all at once.

It’s like the air changes, becoming thinner, harder to draw in, but somehow, it tastes and smells sweeter too.

How does any of that make sense?

I swear Void makes me crazy. He’s so fucking hot and cold with me. Even now, he just treated me like absolute crap, yet here I am, drawn in by his mere presence.

As I stare into his electric-blue eyes, I’m captivated by his gaze. That stare covers my body in a warm blanket of comfort, yet he somehow sends the coldest of chills through me.

Hot versus cold.

Cozy and safe one minute, left out in a blizzard to fend for myself the next.

Right now, he’s attempting to make me feel safe. Like even though he knows he fucked up and did the wrong thing, he’s trying to right that wrong.

Void could be bad for me.

But aren’t the bad things in life the things we enjoy the most?

“I wasn’t actively trying to hurt you…” he stops as though pondering his next words, “… or maybe I was, I don’t know. Seeing you with Dash, seeing what I thought I saw, it shocked me. I didn’t think you were—”

“That kind of girl?”

“Not necessarily. I didn’t know you and Dash were there yet.”

My lips turn up in the corners as I grip his hand tighter. “We’re not, Void. Me and Dash… we’re not like that. Romantic, I mean.”

Void’s eyes light up, perhaps in hope, as he lets out a long exhale. “You’re not?”

“No. I haven’t done anything… with anyone. Ever.”

Void swallows hard. “Shit… I fucked up.”

This thing, whatever it is between us, has been strained for a while. I know I need to spend some time with Void, and since I arrived, I’ve wanted more than anything to experience what it’s like to be on the back of Void’s bike. Eva’s been able to ride with Nycto, but I’ve yet to even venture out of the safety of the clubhouse.

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I debate whether he will be okay with what I’m about to ask, but I’m going to ask it anyway. “I understand that I was confined to the clubhouse when Andrés was alive for our safety… because he didn’t know Eva and I were here, and finding us was a big deal. Technically, the men who were sent to buy me and Eva are still out there, and that’s an issue for us and the club. But Void, Andrés is gone, and Eva’s been outside these walls. No one else knows we’re here. To make it up to me, I just… take me for a ride on your bike?”

“You… wanna go for a ride?” His eyes widen like he had no idea that was coming.

“Is that so surprising?”

He shrugs. “You’ve never mentioned it before.”

“I just want to get out and see a little of Tampa. I’ve been here for months, but I’ve been restricted to the inside of the clubhouse. Don’t get me wrong, I love this place, but I want to feel the Florida sun on my skin. I want to see palm trees. Hell, I want to go to Trixie’s new café!”

Void’s lips turn up in the most glorious of ways. He’s usually frowning, like his face is in a permanent scowl. But when his face lights up, damn, he’s fucking gorgeous.

“Well, today is your lucky day.”

“It is?” I can’t help but smile.

Void chuckles. Grabbing my hand, he pulls me along. “I just so happen to know Trixie’s making Key lime pie today, and man, does she make a good one.”

Excitement bubbles inside me while my feet struggle to keep up with his rapid pace. “You’re taking me to the café?”

“Yep, and we’re taking the scenic route.”

I can’t help but giggle as we race through the clubhouse toward the exit, passing Nycto on the way.

“Where you off to in such a hurry?” Nycto grunts.

“Taking Ivy for a ride.”

“ ’Bout fuckin’ time,” he murmurs as we scurry outside, up the concrete ramp to where the club’s bikes sit in a proud line of sleek metallic paint and shining chrome. They sparkle in the heat of the midday sun, almost blinding me they are so freaking brilliant in their sheen.

Void leads me over to his ride. When he stands next to it proudly, I draw my bottom lip in with my teeth, and he grabs an open-face helmet from the fence and hands it to me. “You need to wear this.”

Void steps close and places the helmet over my long, chestnut hair. His eyes meet mine, while one corner of his lips turns up in the most devilishly gorgeous way.

“We’re really doing this?” I bounce on my toes.

“Yeah, we are.” He does the strap up firmly under my chin, then gently taps the top. “There… nice and safe.”

I crinkle my nose as he throws a leg over his ride, the move making my insides quiver. I’ve never seen a simple movement be so sexy in all my life. The way his strong, thick hands grip the handlebars, and the way his shoulder muscles pull taut with the positioning of his arms… the man’s fucking intense, but it’s a sight I need to witness more often. My thighs clench together in a futile attempt to dull the ache forming between my legs.

I’m not a stranger to this feeling. I’ve been turned on plenty of times. Being a virgin doesn’t mean I’m not attuned to my body. I am all too aware when something or someone is turning me on, and Void like this, on his bike and ready to ride, is definitely turning me on.

“You gonna hop on behind me, sweet thing?”

I raise a brow. “Sweet thing?”

“Don’t worry, I know you’re strong enough to break my teeth like taffy if I’m not careful. Now stop delaying and get your sexy ass behind me.”

I smirk, secretly loving my new pet name. Moving in, I shift my leg over the bike and jostle into position behind him. Wrapping my arms around his toned waist, I hold on probably tighter than I should, but I’m going to enjoy it while I can.

“Hold on the whole time, Ivy. Move with me. No jerky movements or letting go. Got it?”

“Mm-hmm,” I murmur, a sudden flush crossing my cheeks for no apparent reason.

“You’re not scared, are you?” he asks, looking over his shoulder at me.

Being wrapped around him, my front pressed to his back, with the power of his machine beneath me and the excitement of what’s to come is all more than a little arousing for me. My clit throbs in my panties as images of Void taking my virginity on this bike race through my mind. “No… not scared.”

Void grins. “Good.” He faces the front and turns the engine over, and the motor roars to life, sending vibrations all the way through to my bones. The energy seeps into my very soul as I clench my eyes tight, taking in the endorphins that seem to be racing through me.

“Holy hell,” I whisper, more about the fact my arousal is now in overdrive than anything else.

“I knew you’d love this,” Void calls out over the dulcet purr of the engine.

Void duck-walks the bike back, then slowly rides toward the front gate, where West is waiting. When he pulls the gate open for us, we ride through, making our way past the wrought iron fence, then Void hammers down, unleashing the bike’s full potential.

We speed off down the road at terminal velocity, which forces a loud squeal to escape me. I grip onto Void tighter and feel his torso moving up and down with his laughter.

My hair whips behind me in the breeze, and calm rolls through me. My eyes water a little from the windburn, but they soon adjust, and I take the time to admire the beauty that is Tampa.

With my need to be hiding out in the Cell, secluded from everything, I’d forgotten what it was like to be out in the sun. There’s a huge, wild world out here I was hiding away from. I’d gotten so caught up in the fact I didn’t want the life I had in Cuba that I’d made my life here all about sheltering myself away.

From the outside.

From the other members of the club.

Sure, I have Dash, Void, and my sister, but I hardly talk to anyone else. I mean, I do, but only when necessary. I hardly ever come upstairs. I found my home down there, but only because I was trying not to be the person I once was. In trying to find someone new within myself, I’ve created a person I’m not sure is completely healthy.

I need to get out more.

Talk to people.

Create a life that’s not all gloom and doom.

Sure, I’m probably going to keep my bedroom in my little cell since I feel safe down there, but I do need to get to know the other members of the club, and I have to be more involved. If I’m going to be part of Defiance, I need to embrace the lifestyle, embrace the family, and it’s taken being on Void’s bike to show me that.

I can’t help but snuggle into Void’s back, needing to be closer to him. He’s opened my eyes to so much today. Sure, if he wasn’t being an asshole to begin with, I wouldn’t be here right now, but with all the endorphins coursing through my veins, I’m finding it very hard not to wipe that slate clean.

We ride for… I’m not even sure how long. It feels like an eternity, yet only a minute. I take in the splendor all around me, enjoying everything Tampa has to offer, loving every second of being out in the world. The minute Void pulls over to the side of the road, a sense of anguish washes over me—I never want the ride to end.

He shuts off the engine, hops off the bike, and turns to face me. I’m sure I am practically glowing.

“Hop off, sweet thing. We’re here.” He gestures behind him, then moves in to undo my helmet. I move my head past him to glimpse through the giant front window glistening in the sun.

Void chuckles, trying to keep up with me as he continues to undo the strap. “Jesus, stay still. You’re like a fucking toddler, Ivy!”

I giggle and stop bouncing. “Sorry. Just excited to be out.”

Finally, he manages to pull the helmet off my head, and I run my fingers through my hair. He reaches over and places the helmet on the seat of the bike with a heavy exhale. “I should have taken you out sooner.”

“It’s not your fault. There were extenuating circumstances. Then, if I’m honest, I didn’t want to be anywhere but in the Cell, you know? It felt like safety. Like home.”

He drops his chin once in recognition. “I know. Still, I could have tried. After Andrés—”

I reach out, gripping his arm. “We’re here now. Let’s go have some of this pie.”

Void slides his hand down over mine, and we entwine our fingers.

Tingles.

Goose bumps break out all over me.

My heart gallops, taking off at breakneck speed as we head for the door. How Void can infuriate me to the point I want to snap his neck one minute, then make me swoon the next, I have no idea. What I do know is there is something here, a connection between us. There has been since he took me off the boat and out of the shipping container, away from the men who took us from Cuba.

Maybe we aren’t on the same page.

Maybe we are.

But I need to find out, because this back-and-forth whiplash is going to give me a complex.

And right now, I don’t need to add to my ever-increasing problems.