Chapter Six

IVY

The tang of the orange juice hits my tastebuds, refreshing my dry mouth. I have to admit I’m a little dizzy, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.

“Are you feeling well?” Tony asks.

“Accomplished. I hope this helps.”

Amalia wipes under her eyes again, and I smile at her as Tony helps me sit up in the inclined bed. “I can’t thank you enough, signora. Now, we get the blood cells into Mia and see how it works.”

“When will you do the transfer?”

“Probably tomorrow. Larah needs to examine the blood to make sure it’s viable before it goes into Mia. Everything must be perfect.”

“I hope it works out for you, and that my blood is good enough.”

Tony squeezes my shoulder. “Me too, bella, me too.” He holds his hand out in front of me. I take it and slowly slide off the bed. My head spins ever so slightly, so I stand still to get my equilibrium to settle down. Tony gestures to my juice box. “Drink, signora. It will help.”

I bring the juice to my lips, sucking on the straw as Tony walks with me back to Mia’s room, where laughter bellows through from the other side of the door. When we enter, Matteo is sitting in the corner, holding a fairy wand, with a big scowl on his face.

His eyes widen. He places the wand on the bed, stands tall, and puffs out his chest, while Mia sings out the chorus to “Let It Go” from Frozen. Dash spins as if he’s pretending to shoot ice from his hands, his face covered in the brightest blush I’ve ever seen. His eyelids are an almost neon blue eye shadow, and he has lipstick smeared all over his lips, and even a little on his five o’clock shadow. And don’t forget the long blonde Elsa wig he’s sporting or the blue ice-queen dress.

He looks spectacular.

Dash spots me, smiles cockily, then keeps playing with Mia, completely unashamed as he rushes around the bed with her.

I think he’s actually having fun.

Matteo glances over at us, folding his arms over his chest. “If Mia wants you to dress like a princess, you dress like a fuckin’ princess. Mia asked politely if Dash would dress up with her. He was hesitant, so I pointed a gun to his head, and now, he’s Elsa… just like that.”

I raise my brow as Mia flops down on the mattress in a fit of giggles. “This is the best! Uncle Matty, can you and Dash come play every day?”

Dash leans against the wall and lets out a long breath. He must be exhausted. I wonder how many musical numbers he’s done. I try to hold in my laugh as Matteo walks over and sits on the bed next to her. “Dash can’t be here every day, principessa. Plus, you need to rest, especially after that.”

Mia’s happy expression weakens, and she sighs. “Dash?”

“Yeah, kiddo?” He’s puffing like he’s still trying to inhale a lungful of air.

“Will you come see me again?”

Dash lights up like a damn neon sign. “You better fuckin’ believe it.”

“Prospect! Stop swearing in front of my daughter. I let you get away with it once, but that’s enough,” Tony grunts.

“Sorry! Shit! Fuck!” Dash raises his hands in the air in surrender as I snicker. Dash’s eyes flick to mine. “How did you do? You okay?” Dash asks, trying to change the subject.

I nod, which causes my head to spin. Grabbing hold of the wall, I reach out to stabilize myself, and Dash scurries over to me. He wraps his arms around me tightly to hold me up. “Hey, I got you. What did you do to her?”

I groan. “Stop, Dash, I’m fine. I just need to sit down for a little while. They took my blood, remember?”

Dash places the back of his hand to my forehead. “You’re all clammy. You sure you did it right, Tony?”

Tony rolls his shoulders. “Let’s get you to bed. You can rest. We will bring you something to eat.”

“Not sure I’m up for food right now,” I admit.

“I am. Shit, my stomach’s been growling for hours,” Dash quips.

“That’s true,” Matteo adds. “Like him, his stomach never shuts up.”

“It’s getting late. We’ll set up your room so you can both get settled,” Amalia offers.

Dash’s ears prick up. “We’re in the same room?”

Amalia laughs. “Separate beds, cowboy.”

“Good.” Dash nods matter-of-factly. “Then I can keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s okay through the night.”

Tony’s gaze shifts to Amalia. “We thought you’d want to do that.”

My muscles tense. If Void knew I was sharing a room with Dash, I don’t know how he would feel. But we’re in separate beds, and Void did want Dash to watch over me.

It’s only one night. And I like that he’s right there for protection should I need it.

“Okay, Ivy looks like she’s about to pass out. Let’s get her to bed,” Dash instructs. “Night, Anna.”

Mia giggles again, the sound angelic. “Night, Elsa!”

“Night, Olaf,” Dash and Mia both say in unison to Matteo.

He groans, trying to fight back his smile. “Goodnight, principessa.” Matteo leans down to place a kiss on Mia’s forehead, then gently pulls the covers up over her. “Sleep tight.”

She reaches out, grabbing Matteo’s hand. “Uncle Matty?”

“Yeah?”

“Love you.”

He leans down, taking her into a tight embrace. “Ti amo anch’io amore mio.”

I’m not sure what Matteo just murmured to Mia, but apparently, she understands as she cuddles into him. Leaving them to their moment, I turn and head out the door.

Dash wraps his arm around my shoulders, leaning into my ear. “Don’t tell anyone I told you this, but Matteo’s all right. He loves that kid more than anything. He’s a great uncle, and once he started loosening up in there, he was pretty cool with that cute kid.”

Tony chuckles behind us, making us both turn. “Matteo has many layers. It surprised me he unraveled some of them in front of you, Dash, especially considering how turbulent you both started out. But as we all know, my daughter is his weakness, and if she took a shining to you, then he will too. Your room is this one.” Tony gestures to a room off to the right.

We all veer, and as I walk in, Dash switches on the light, sending a glow over the room. The first thing to catch my eye is the giant floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the waterway, the silvery moon shining bright as it reflects on the waves. There’s a large bed, maybe a queen-size, facing the giant windows overlooking the water. I can’t think of anything more calming to wake up to. Then there’s a small alcove where a single bed is situated with a couple of sofa chairs and a door leading out to a balcony. I shake my head at the extravagance of this room. I’m sure there’s also an attached bathroom off to the side. Tony is crazy rich. I can’t even fathom having a home like this, and this is only one bedroom.

“I hope everything is to your satisfaction?” Amalia questions.

I walk over to the window, taking in the magnificent view. “You have an amazing home.”

“I’m very lucky. You should get some rest, Ivy. You’re free to roam the house, but please don’t leave the grounds, for your safety and ours. We will have the staff bring some food to your room in a short while,” Amalia offers.

I turn back to see Dash checking out the softness of the single mattress.

Tony dips his chin at me. “You’re welcome to call home, tell them what’s going on. You’ll be heading back in the morning. I will have my men drive you. For now, though, good night, signora.”

I wave my hand in the air. “Night, Tony.”

He and Amalia head off, closing the door behind them.

Dash opens his very intense shadowed eyes. “Holy shit! Did we crack the jackpot or what?”

I try to hold it in but fail as I burst out laughing.

Dash scrunches up his face, and I sit on the giant bed before I fall over. “Jesus, Dash, I can’t take you seriously made up like that.”

He waves me off dismissively. “Just ’cause I’m pretty don’t mean you gotta hate on me for it.”

“Seriously, you need to look in the mirror.”

His dorky smirk lights up his face, then he heads for the adjoining bathroom while I sip on my juice, waiting for his reaction.

“Jesus. Fucking. Christ! It’s like a bunch of paint cans exploded over my face.”

I erupt in laughter again, falling back on the bed. “Told you so!”

“That little shit! Good thing I like her.”

I laugh as I hear the faucet turn on.

“I’m gonna call Void!” I yell out to Dash as I pick up my cell, dialing the number.

It’s already ringing when Dash calls back, “Tell him I’m looking gorgeous for you tonight!”

“What the fuck?” Void grunts down the line.

I chuckle. “There was this whole thing with Dash and Mia… yeah, I’ll tell you about it later. I just wanted to check in and tell you I’m okay.”

Void lets out a relieved sigh. “I was so fucking worried, sweet thing. Is Tony treating you okay?”

A genuine smile lights my face. “Yeah. They’re really hospitable. And the donation wasn’t that bad at all.”

“And the room is fucking epic, man,” Dash calls out, rubbing a towel over his hair as he walks in.

Void is quiet for a pass as I relax back. “Void, you there?”

“Are you and Dash sharing a room?”

My muscles tense. “I mean… kind of. It’s the same space, but his bed is in a different section—”

“But he’s in there… with you… while you’ll be sleeping?”

“Void, you sent him here to protect me. How can he do that if he’s in a different room?”

Dash quietly walks over to his side, giving me some space.

Void grunts down the line, letting out a loud, annoyed huff. “I’m glad you’re okay. I gotta go—”

“Void!”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with those few parting words, he ends the call.

Closing my eyes, I sigh, then slowly place the cell on the bed next to me. I wish Void were here with me so he could see there’s absolutely nothing for him to worry about. His fears are not warranted.

My one simple wish is that he would trust me.