Chapter Four

VOID

The Next Day

Ivy seems okay. I spent most of the night with her, and I don’t think what happened yesterday has affected her in the same way it has me. Ivy doesn’t know this world like I do, so she doesn’t know what it could mean. Sure, we’ve explained it to her, but the depths it could go to and the sinister bullshit behind it could mean so much more.

I make my way over to Nycto. “Pres, can we chat? In the Chapel…”

Removing his lips from Eva’s neck, Nycto turns his head, and his eyes bore into me like glaciers. “Now?”

“Now.”

Pres groans as he shifts Eva from his lap and onto the seat next to him. “Sorry, chiquita, duty calls.”

Eva pecks him on the cheek, and he stands, then walks with me to the Chapel. As we head inside, he grunts out his discontent. “This better be good, VP.”

“It’s been hours, for fuck’s sake. Surely something’s come up from yesterday?”

Nycto groans, flopping onto his seat, and I can tell by the lines on his face he’s not happy. “Seriously? That’s what you called me in here for? Fuck! If I knew something, don’t you think I would have already talked to you?”

Letting out a frustrated groan, I run my fingers through my hair when Nycto’s cell begins to buzz. I turn to face him as he glances at the number on the screen, then swipes the call. “Yeah?” Nycto grunts down the line. “Didn’t quite catch that… who the fuck did you say you are?” Frown lines etch deep into Nycto’s forehead as he listens intently to whoever’s on the other end.

His expression has me rolling my shoulders, a new tension forming at the base of my neck.

Nycto sits straighter in his chair, listening to every word with steely focus. “Ah-huh. And why would the head of the DeLucas, the biggest Mafia family in Miami, be wanting to meet with me?”

My head jerks back in confusion. The club has known about the DeLucas for years, but with them being almost four hours away from us, we’ve never crossed into their territory, and they’ve never ventured into ours. We have nothing to do with each other, so hearing that the head of the DeLucas—Antonio, more commonly known as Titanium Tony because of the number of times he’s been shot and lived to tell the tale—wants a meeting with Nycto is something for us to be wary of.

Nycto continues his conversation as I make my way over and take a seat.

“I hear what you’re saying, Tony, but I need a reason to allow you to come down here. It’s not every day a Mafia kingpin calls asking to drop by my clubhouse to fucking talk. Is this some kind of business transaction?”

Not being able to hear what’s being said, my leg bounces as I wait for the next piece of the puzzle.

“All right, Tony, I’ll allow it… this time. But don’t bring a whole brigade. I’m allowing you and a couple of your capos. You want a meeting, we’ll have one, but this is to be nothing other than mutual talk. You got me?”

I scrunch my brows in confusion. I don’t understand why a man like Titanium Tony would need to discuss anything with us.

“Yeah, right. See you in a few.” Nycto ends the call, then slides the cell across the table like it’s covered in acid and he’s been burned. He lets out an unsatisfied grunt as he turns to me.

I raise my brow, waiting for him to speak, but he says nothing. “Well?” I urge.

Nycto runs his fingers through his hair and lets out a huff. “I couldn’t get a read on it. Tony’s coming here, now, to have a chat. They’re already in our territory. Wouldn’t tell me what about. Said he wouldn’t discuss it over the phone in case people were listening. Have to admit, it’s piqued my interest.”

“You believe it’s a good idea to let the DeLucas on our home turf?” I ask, with more than a little concern.

Nycto shrugs. “At least here we have the home advantage. I don’t know what Titanium Tony wants, but I am interested in finding out.”

***

There are many stories of Titanium Tony, the most notorious Mafia don in Florida. He’s sneaky, cunning, and a big believer in famiglia. You come after anyone in his house, your body is never found. Fuck knows how they handle disposal, but it’s no concern of the club’s because we’ve never crossed paths. Basically, we stay out of his way, and he stays the fuck out of ours. We’re far enough away for our territories not to be an issue, so for him to make a special trip down here to see us, it must be for a good reason.

He needs something.

Or one of us has done something.

There’s always a reason for another crime syndicate to cross our path, and I’m anxious to hear Tony’s.

Atomic signals that the convoy’s approaching, so we head outside to the gate as a club, united. We can’t be sure how many men Tony’s bringing with him, but we need to show him we’re not sending out any sort of welcoming committee.

We’re being cautious, as we should.

While West pulls open the gates, we stand in a long line with Nycto and me in the center, arms folded across our chests in a show of impatience. Our other brothers are fanned out at our sides in a formation that barricades the entry to the clubhouse.

Four black Audis pull up, and their doors open in perfect synchronicity, so much so I have to hold back my laughter. How many times have they practiced that shit?

In the lead car, the driver steps out, along with the front passenger, both wearing perfectly tailored suits. Their five-o’clock-shadowed chins are well manicured, and they appear more like Italian princes than Mafia as they arrogantly shift to the rear of the car.

They stand to attention while Tony steps out. He’s exactly how I would imagine what the ladies call a “silver fox.” His hair is dark gray, with a few strands of silver running through it, matching his neatly trimmed graying beard. There’s an edge about him as he shoves his hands into the pockets of his impeccably tailored black pants. His crisp white shirt is so fresh, I’m sure it’s as new as his ridiculously shiny shoes, which reflect his face.

The man screams wealth.

Actually, more like dirty money, which I’m assuming he has in spades.

Tony’s eyes drift to the other side of the car, where a younger man steps out, dressed much the same in an impeccable dark-blue suit. His dusty blond hair sweeps over his head in a styled wave. He too has a well-maintained beard, though his is a darker blond and is in total contrast to Tony. Both are broad in the chest, strong in stature, and ooze confidence as they turn and head toward us, flanked by their men.

Ten guards surround them. So much for coming with a couple of capos. Instead, the asshole’s here with a small arsenal.

I glance at Nycto, who appears to stiffen his posture. He’s angry—furious. As he should be. This gratuitous show of force from Tony is totally uncalled for.

“Tony, this is not what we agreed,” Nycto yells as they approach.

“Your little welcoming party doesn’t instill confidence in me either. We both came into this without trust, didn’t we, Nycto?”

“I guess so.” Nycto sneers. “This, however, is my territory… my clubhouse.”

I roll my shoulders. Hearing footsteps behind me, I peek over my shoulder and see Eva chasing Ivy out the clubhouse door. Eva tries to pull her back inside, but Ivy is having none of it, and they both rush up the ramp toward us.

Fucking insolent damn woman!

Swinging back to Tony, I try not to bring attention to the girls, but it’s too late. Tony’s eyes shift straight past me and directly to them. His lip turns up crookedly. “Shall we get down to business, then?”

Nycto narrows his eyes. “Thing is, Tony, I don’t know what the hell kind of business you’re bringing to my club. I’m not even sure I want to do business with you.”

Tony signals his men. They begin to fan out, moving in front of us. I tense, not liking how this is going. Nycto grabs for his gun. I reach for mine at the same time, causing a chain reaction from all our brothers. We lift our weapons high, pointing directly at the mafiosos. They halt their approach but don’t react. Their lack of reaction is unnerving, but still, we have the upper hand.

This is our turf. They don’t know Ominous and Brass are hiding outside the gates, sniper rifles aimed directly at these fuckers.

One false move, and it’s hunting season.

“What the hell do you want, Tony?” Nycto grunts, turning his gun to the side menacingly at the don.

Tony’s eyes drift past us toward the two women at the back, who are currently holding each other for comfort. “I want something of yours.”

“You couldn’t ask nicely first, asshole?” I scoff.

The blond capo steps forward and into my space, as if to test my patience. “Call him an asshole again and you’ll see the full force of what the DeLucas can do.”

“You think you can come into this clubhouse and throw your weight around?” Ivy yells, rushing to my side. “This is our place. These are our men, and you’re nothing but a damn gángster!” Ivy curls her lip and spits on the ground.

Matteo surges forward. “Gangster? You think I’m nothing but a gangster, you little who—”

“Matteo, enough!” Tony snaps, placing his hand on his second in command, pulling him back.

“No, I want to hear what he was going to call her,” I jab at the arrogant prick. “You’ll only get the chance to say it once,” I sneer.

Blondie huffs, straightening out his ridiculously expensive suit. “I apologize. I let my anger get the better of me,” he mutters unconvincingly through his teeth.

Ivy shouldn’t even be out here, let alone trying to start a fight with a capo. But I can’t say I’m surprised.

This woman’s a damn firecracker.

“You think you can come in here demanding shit after that display of arrogance?” I scoff out a laugh while Ivy wraps her arms around my waist.

Tony’s eyes linger on Ivy a little longer than I like before he turns to Nycto. “We want to make a deal, Presidente.”

Nycto cracks his neck to the side and clicks the safety off on his gun. “Titanium Tony. Tell me, why should I make a deal with you?”

Tony exhales, his muscles relaxing as he softens his posture. “I have a proposition for you. Purely business. You have something that was en route to me, and I want it back. I want her.”

A shudder runs deep in my very soul. My arm protectively loops around Ivy as I pull her to me. I don’t even want to fathom what the hell he means.

“No.” I’m blunt, curt, my anger coming through like a raging tornado.

Nycto turns to me slightly, his brow creased. “What do you want her for?” Nycto asks, questioning what I’m too fucking terrified to say out loud.

Tony rolls his neck. “Ivy was purchased in Cuba and sold. Then she was taken by her transporters… you, I believe.” He raises an eyebrow. “She was bought for a reason, Nycto, and I paid a hefty sum of money for her.”

Ivy clings to me tighter as this all starts to sink in, and I shift her behind me.

Tony put the purchase order out on Ivy. Possibly Eva too.

Now, the bastard’s here to collect.

Fuck.

Standing taller, Nycto lets out a mocking laugh. “Ha. You got paid, Tony. The money was sent to Andrés, and I know the debt was paid in full. So, technically, I bought Ivy. She belongs to me now, and I plan on keeping her here at the clubhouse, where she belongs.”

Tony rolls his shoulders like he’s trying to keep himself calm. “Thing is, Presidente, I need her. Why do you think she had such a high price tag? She’s valuable… to me, to my family.”

“I’m gonna need a reason, Tony, and ‘valuable’ ain’t gonna cut it,” Nycto grunts out.

Tony turns to Ivy, ignoring Nycto and me. “Ivy, signora. As I’m sure you’re aware, your blood is rare. When other people who have the same blood type as yours are sick, it’s extremely hard for them to obtain blood transfusions. They need blood from a matching donor.”

I don’t like where this shit’s going.

“I’m following,” Ivy calls out to him.

Tony’s forehead creases. Something passes over his eyes, but only for the briefest of moments, showing a weakness in him. “My daughter, Mia…” He pauses, like he’s having trouble saying the next part. “She’s sick. She needs transfusions. She needs blood… your blood.”

I roll my eyes, letting out a scoff. “Yeah, right.”

Matteo rushes forward, but Tony stops him. “Matteo, stop! Mia wouldn’t want this.”

Matteo’s nostrils flare. He breathes harshly through his nose as he turns, pacing his anger off. Either Matteo’s playing this up, has serious anger issues, or he actually cares about this Mia girl.

Ivy steps out of my grip and toward Matteo. I go to pull her back, but she warns me off with a wave of her hand and a death glare. Ivy reaches out and grabs Matteo’s arm.

He spins dramatically, but notices it’s Ivy and softens.

“You care about Mia?” she asks.

Matteo huffs. “That’s not your concern.”

“Um… it actually is. If I’m going to come with you, I need to know everything.”

“She’s but a child, signora,” Tony continues. “We had hoped you would donate your blood to help her. I can show you a photo. She is my world.”

“You want to let an innocent child suffer?” Matteo says through gritted teeth.

“Don’t try to manipulate her!” I snap.

“What’s wrong with Mia? Why does she need my blood?” Ivy’s pressing the issue… as though she’s actually thinking about going with them.

“Mia has leukemia. She needs a transfusion to replace the red blood cells in her body after treatment. But because of her blood type…”

“Golden blood,” Ivy mumbles under her breath.

Tony and Matteo dip their chins as Ivy exhales. “I’ll need to do this close to home—”

“We should discuss this as a club, Ivy,” I blurt out.

Ivy returns to me, grabbing my hands in hers. “Void, I understand you want to protect me, but I can’t let an innocent girl suffer when I can help. Plus, it’s only a transfusion. It’s not like they’re going to kill me for it.”

I scoff. “They might.”

“We won’t,” Matteo states.

“Ivy’s blood is rare,” Tony offers. “We need Mia to get well and live a long, happy life. No harm will come to either of them, not while Mia is alive. If you help us with Mia and be there when we call, we will return the favor. We will protect them, at all costs. This is our deal.”

Nycto glances at me, raising a brow.

Everything in me screams not to agree, but it’s a good fucking deal. If the DeLucas are putting themselves on the line to protect Ivy and Eva, and all we have to do in return is give a little blood and show up to protect Mia, then I guess it’s a fair trade.

I give Nycto a subtle nod, and he walks over to Tony. “All three girls are safe in this,” Nycto clarifies.

“All three,” Tony reassures.

“Does this mean we’re in alliance? The DeLucas and Tampa Defiance?” Nycto asks.

Tony bows his head. “If Ivy comes with us willingly, then yes, we are at an understanding.”

Nycto’s eyes shift to mine. He’s testing the waters, seeing where I sit with this deal. An alliance with the DeLucas is huge, but putting Ivy in danger churns my stomach. The idea of her going with them has me on edge. I turn to her, and she smiles.

“I’ll go, as long as I get to come back to the clubhouse. I’m not staying with you indefinitely, Tony,” Ivy asserts.

There’s that fire I adore so fucking much.

“Fine. You come with us… alone. Today. You donate. We bring you back. Simple as that.”

“Not simple. She’s not going alone,” I blurt, my skin crawling at the thought of no one being there to protect her.

Ivy grips my hand tighter. “I’ll be fine. They need me, Void. They won’t hurt me.”

“Yeah, but what about after they take your blood?” I whisper in her ear.

The corner of her lips creeps up infinitesimally. “This isn’t a one-time thing. Why do you think they’re making this alliance? It’s because they anticipate needing me in the future. This is the deal, Void. I’m Mia’s very own personal blood bank. They’re not going to risk anything happening to me… for Mia’s sake.”

Matteo shrugs in agreement. “She’s right. We do need her,” Matteo mumbles, his voice becoming strained.

“I go with her,” I say. “I won’t have her going on her own. We might be in an alliance, but I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.”

Tony huffs out a grunt. “I’ll take a prospect. No one else. No offense, Vicepresidente, but having one of the heads of the MC table in my home doesn’t sit right with me. Not yet.”

“Then she doesn’t go. End of discus—”

“Void… I have to go. Not only for Mia, but for the alliance. You know it’s true.” Ivy’s tight grip on my bicep tells me she’s not messing about right now.

My muscles clench as I grit my teeth. Bartering with mafiosos isn’t my finest hour, but at least this way, someone will be with Ivy. A prospect who will take care of her, even if that person irritates the hell out of me. “Dash… it has to be Dash. Dash will go.”

Ivy’s eyes meet mine. There’s understanding in them. She knows I only want to protect her, but also how hard it is for me to send her with Dash.

Dash steps forward hesitantly, a little unsure of himself. My narrowed eyes meet his, and he nods, letting me know he’s got this. If anyone will put themselves on the line for Ivy, I know it will be Dash.

He cares about her.

He’s the only choice.

Nycto walks over to Tony, holding out his hand. They shake, and Tony claps Nycto on the shoulder.

“Perfecto. Now we are settled, let’s be on our way. We have a four-hour drive to Miami—”

“You look after them like they’re a part of your own fucking family, Tony,” I demand. “Any harm comes to either Ivy or Dash, and we won’t hesitate in starting an all-out fucking war. And trust me when I say, the first target we hunt down will be Mia.”

“Understood. We’ll bring Ivy and Dash back tomorrow evening. I’ll keep in touch, Nycto. Make you aware of what’s happening.”

“Make sure you do.”

“It’s hard for me not being in charge of this situation,” Tony continues, “but I do appreciate you helping us out. My famiglia thanks your MC.”

Nycto dips his chin as I pull Ivy to me in a tight embrace, pain searing through my chest like I can’t breathe. Ivy’s hands smooth up and down my back under my cut in a calming manner as I cling to her. I’m anything but fucking calm.

“Stop. I’m going to be fine,” she whispers in my ear.

Pulling back slightly, I stare into her gorgeous chocolate-brown eyes. They’re so calm, so stoic, while I stand here, ready to fucking explode. “You call me the second you feel something’s off,” I tell her. “I’ll be on my bike and there faster than you know.”

She smiles weakly. “You’ll be four hours away. If anything happens, you’ll be too far to do much. But Dash will be with me. I’m sure he won’t let anything happen. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

She didn’t mean for it to sting quite like that, but fuck, it did. Dash is going to be there for her, not me, and there’s not a damn fucking thing I can do about it. Why the hell didn’t I choose West?

“Be safe. Listen to your gut instinct,” I tell her.

Ivy’s lips turn upward. “Always do.” She leans in, plants a light kiss on my cheek, then turns to grab Dash’s hand, and they both step toward the Audis.

“Matteo,” I call out. He lifts his chin in answer. “Touch her in any way, I’ll fucking kill you.”

Matteo chuckles. “Putting all your cards on show is stupid. Anyone here can see what… or who… your weakness is, and your enemies can use her to their advantage. You need to rein in your emotions. Just a word of advice, brother.”

“I’m not your fucking brother. And was that a threat?”

“Not a threat…” Matteo smirks. “Purely an observation. Keep your emotions in check when she’s around, or people will use her against you. I speak from experience.”

I raise my brow in curiosity, but Matteo spins, then heads for the car without another word.

Tony exhales, cracking his neck to the side. “The thing is, Vicepresidente, Matteo is complicated. His past… well, you remind me of him a few years ago. We will get your woman back to you. In one piece. Alive and well. You have my word.”

Nycto grabs my shoulder as I exhale. “That’s all I ask.”

“I’ll wait to hear from you, Tony,” Nycto adds. “Regular updates. We’re nonnegotiable on this. You hear me?”

Tony dips his head in acknowledgment, then walks back to the car he vacated and glides inside.

As Ivy and Dash slide into the back of an Audi, I keep watching. The door closes behind her, then the car reverses away from the clubhouse gates, and I know there’s little I can do now.

My feet are restless with the urge to chase after her, but the car turns, drives off onto the main road, and then out of sight, taking Ivy and Dash with them.

Did I just let Ivy go with a prospect—the same prospect who’s been vying for her affections?

What the fuck have I done?