Chapter Eight

IVY

The Next Morning

Before we left, Dash said a heartfelt goodbye to Mia. They really connected during their playtime, but it was Tony who surprised me. He pulled me aside, giving me his personal number. He told me if I ever need anything, I’m to call him directly.

To be honest, I imagine Tony’s profoundly grateful for what I’ve done for Mia. I hope like hell it works to fix her anemia. She has a long recovery ahead because anemia is only part of her battle.

Void’s standing, waiting for us when Tony’s driver pulls up at the gates of the clubhouse, and a smile instantly lights my face.

I’ve missed Void and his broody attitude.

Not to mention his fucking sexy-as-hell face.

Or his killer body.

Crap! I need to control my thoughts, or I’m going to end up jumping on him the second I get out of this car, even with his shitty attitude on the phone last night.

West opens the gate, and Void starts walking toward us.

Dash hops out his side as I move for the door, but Void is on me in a flash. My door flies open and Void places his hand out for me to take.

God, he’s gorgeous.

My hand slides into his perfectly.

Tingles.

No, not just tingles, a damn electric shock strikes all the way up my arm, slamming straight into my chest. My breath catches as his kind eyes meet mine.

“Are you okay?” he asks in his deep, gravelly voice.

My eyes lock with his as I stand. “I’m fine. Last night after they took the blood, I was a little woozy, but today I’m good. Maybe a little tired, but good. Happy to be home.”

Void’s lips turn up as I mention the word ‘home.’ “Let’s get you inside. You need rest.” He’s being attentive and caring and maybe a little overprotective. He doesn’t need to be, but I’ll take it. He wraps his arm around my shoulders as we head for the gate.

Dash moves in beside us as Void glances over at him. “Thanks for taking care of her.” His tone is curt and abrupt. It’s like he’s only saying it for my benefit.

Dash raises his chin. “She’s a handful, but… it was bearable.”

Void narrows his focus on Dash. “Are you wearing eye shadow?”

Dash scoffs. “You’re seeing shit, brother.”

I try to hide my giggle as I smirk up at Dash. He winks, then walks off toward West at the gate.

Void continues with me down the ramp to the bunker. “He was wearing eye shadow, wasn’t he?” Void whispers in my ear.

“Yeah. Take me to my room, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

“I can’t wait to hear this.”

As we enter the bunker, everyone turns, expressions brightening when they see me. Eva instantly jumps from Nycto’s lap, doing a mad dash to reach me. “Ivy! You’re okay?” Her body slams into mine, taking me into the tightest of hugs.

I wrap my arms around my sister. After seeing what Tony and Amalia are going through with Mia, I understand the need to embrace family, to hold onto them while you have them. You’d think I’d get that after Mom and Dad’s accident, but I guess they were taken from me suddenly. Seeing a family losing someone slowly has put things into perspective.

You need to appreciate the people you love, loudly and without abandon.

All. The. Time.

“I love you, Eva. I don’t say it nearly often enough.”

She pulls back from me, tears welling in her eyes. “I love you too. Where is this coming from?”

I shrug. “Just seeing Mia. She’s sick. Really sick. And… I… don’t ever want to lose you.”

Eva exhales, pulling me back to her. “You and me, Ivy, we’re in this together. Always. Why do you think I fought so fucking hard for you when we got here?”

Guilt flows through me. I didn’t do enough when Nycto held Eva captive. “I’m sorry, Eva. I’m sorry I didn’t try harder to convince Nycto to tell you I was here. I absolutely should have.”

She brings her hands to my face, smoothing across my skin. “Shh… we’re good. You and me, Nycto and me. Everything turned out the way it was supposed to. Now, go get some rest. You’ve had a big night.”

She leans in and presses her lips to my forehead before sending a look to Void. I’m unsure what the look means, but he dips his chin, pulling me with him toward the stairs.

“Have you been plotting while I’ve been away?”

“No. Eva wants you to rest. We all do.”

We slowly take the stairs down to the Chamber. The Cell at the end is lit up, waiting for me.

Home.

Calm washes over me for the first time in over twenty-four hours. It’s like I’m able to finally relax. Like things might get back to some semblance of normal. The man who tried to buy me from Cuba came after me, found me, but also let me go. I’m sure this won’t be the last time I see him, though I’m free to live my life now he’s gotten what he wanted. This is a perfect outcome. I am always waiting for the sword of Damocles to fall, where this is all some dream, and the nightmare’s about to kick in.

Because good things don’t happen to me.

Everything goes bad in one way or another.

Void leads me over to my bed, and I can’t help the contented sigh that leaves my lips. “Home sweet home.” I flop back on my bed, arms spread as I close my eyes and relax.

Void slides onto the bed beside me. “So glad you’re home, Ivy. I… missed you.”

My eyes open as I take him in. A slow smile crosses my face, and I turn on my side. I wasn’t sure where we stood after our phone call last night. “I missed you too.”

“I’m here for as long as you need me. Anything you want, you let me know.”

“That’s not necessary. I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”

He groans. “I do, though… I do worry. Probably too much.”

Wow. Honesty! This is a refreshing change.

I prop my head on my hand, resting my elbow on my bed as I look him over. “You worry about what’s going to happen to me, or about the people around me?”

Void slides his hands in under his head, getting comfortable. “Both. You know by now I care about you. Last night was pure fucking hell. After our phone call, fuck… I think Nycto stopped me from riding out at least three times.”

My eyes widen, and I gnaw on my bottom lip. “I’m sorry. I know you have an issue with Dash, but he was the perfect gentleman.”

He exhales. “That’s good to know. I… I don’t know how to act anymore. I’m just…” He trails off, seemingly unable to find the words.

“You’re not yourself when I’m involved.”

He turns his head to look directly at me. “I’m more myself when you’re involved, and that fact scares me.”

“I scare you?”

“I scare me,” he clarifies.

I slide in to rest my head in the nook of his shoulder and chest. He’s tense, but as my fingers slide up his shirt to rest over his heart, he relaxes. “You don’t scare me. Not even a little bit.”

His hand slides up to rest on top of mine, our fingers threading together. I take the hint and loop my leg over his, cuddling into his side completely. Closing my eyes, I release a contented sigh as his other hand moves in to caress the back of my head, the move gentle and soothing.

I adore us like this.

Calm.

Content.

Completely blissful.

Void’s opening up to me like never before.

I tell him about what happened while I was at Tony’s, and he chuckles when I tell him about Dash getting his Elsa makeover. He holds me when I discuss how helpless I feel that I can’t do more to help Mia. Void and I are always able to connect when it’s just us in a room alone together, but this, right here, this is something else.

We’re treading on new ground.

Taking a step in a different direction.

Maybe spending the night apart is exactly what we needed.

To show us both the thing we need is each other.

Maybe the bad luck ball isn’t going to drop after all. Maybe this is the dream, the dream where good things do happen for me—the dream where finally something is going right.

If this is my good dream, then please don’t let any fucker wake me up.

***

We may not have been asleep for long—just a nap—but that hour or so was the deepest, most peaceful sleep I’ve ever had.

I have never felt more relaxed than I do right now. Falling asleep in Void’s arms isn’t something I’ve done before, but damn, do I want to keep doing it. After having my blood taken last night, I thought I would be completely drained today. I wouldn’t say I am one hundred percent, but this little power nap has certainly recharged my batteries.

My eyelids flutter open, and I slowly take in the sights of the Cell—my home. I’m lying in bed, my leg over Void’s, snuggling into him while he continues to sleep. He’s so fucking gorgeous, completely vulnerable and exposed. I glimpse down at his soft, supple lips—they’re so pink and delectable right now. Arousal surges as I lick my lips, wanting to taste him. I’ve never felt the need to act on my sexual urges or instincts, but with Void lying here like this, I want to take advantage of him. I want to know what it’s like to kiss him, to have his hands roam all over my body, to have him deep inside of me.

My eyes shift to his crotch, and I swallow hard when I notice his jeans tenting with an erection.

I gasp. I was not expecting to see that. My breath hitches as I gnaw down on my bottom lip.

Should I do something about it?

Would he want me to touch him?

I’ve never even held a cock.

How would I know where to start?

But there’s something about this situation that’s calling to me. I want to make him feel good. I want him to make me feel good.

With my pulse racing like a jackhammer inside my veins, my hand sitting above his heart slowly starts to edge down his stomach. My body throbs with need as I squirm uncomfortably, edging further toward the zipper of his jeans.

Void wriggles a little as if he’s waking up, but I don’t stop. My breath quickens as I grip the zipper of his jeans, gently slide it down, then edge my hand inside. The tiny hairs leading to his cock tickle the tips of my fingers. Adrenaline surges through me as I reach the top of his boxer briefs and wriggle my hand under.

Suddenly, Void’s hand slams against my wrist, halting any further movement. I jolt with shock as I turn to look at him. Startled, his eyes are wide and his breaths rapid, nostrils flaring.

“Ivy, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” He yanks my hand out of his pants, shifting me off him as he sits on the edge of the bed with his back to me, the sound of his zipper sliding back up a sharp contrast to the silent room.

A cold shudder runs through my body as I sit behind him, wrapping my arms around myself more for comfort than anything. “I… I thought… I mean, I saw your erection, and I thought—”

“You thought wrong, Ivy. You can’t just shove your hand down a guy’s pants.”

“Jesus, you make me sound like some sort of predator.”

Running his fingers roughly through his hair, he jumps from the bed and begins pacing. Without even looking at me, he says, “I have to go,” and heads toward the exit. I stand, letting out a loud, angry-as-hell huff.

“So that’s it? After everything we shared since I got back, you’re shutting down on me again?” Fear sweeps over me, tears threatening to fall.

Void hesitates in the doorway for a moment, his chest heaving. But then he lets out a low grunt and heads for the stairs.

A tear slides down my cheek, pooling on my chin. “You’re a fucking coward, Void,” I yell at him, then wipe my face. I will not let him affect me, but I don’t understand his aversion to us fooling around.

Maybe he just doesn’t want me that way?

Maybe it boils down to exactly that—Void does not want me sexually.

Clearing my throat, I shake my head. No. I’m much stronger than this. I’m not letting Void ruin my day, especially when I woke up feeling so good only moments ago.

It’s just after lunch, and I’m not going to spend the rest of the day wallowing.

I’m going to do my job and do it fucking well.

Screw Void!

Grabbing my clipboard from the sofa, I walk across to the lab.

After pressing the combination to the keypad lock, the brick wall opens, revealing our crop. I amble over to the small technical area and grab my white coat. After doing some of the simpler checks, I get to work. Feeding, maintaining, monitoring the growth rates—all the usual shit.

I’m lost in my work when a set of footsteps gain my attention. I peek over the plants to see Dash striding over, looking like he’s about to bite my fricking head off.

“You should be resting,” he scolds as he grabs his lab coat, then starts working next to me.

I scoff. “Stop! I had a power nap, but then I had to get moving. I need to distract myself.”

Dash grabs the clipboard from me, reading over my notes. “Mm-hmm… you can distract yourself by closing your eyes and falling asleep. Got me?”

“You worried about me, Dash?”

He glances at me, suddenly concerned. “I had to hold you up before you fell over. So, yeah, I’m concerned you’re heading back to work too soon. Go! I’ll take care of this shit. Put your feet up. If you want, you can yell at me from next door.”

“I’m fine. But thanks for caring. You’re too good to me.”

He bumps his shoulder into mine. “I’ll always care about you.” He reaches out and wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him. I lean my head on his shoulder with a sigh.

Why is it always so easy with Dash?

With Void, everything seems magical, then bam, the magic evaporates, and I’m left in a black hole figuring out if I’m even still in reality or not.

It’s frustrating.

Void is frustrating.

“C’mon, it looks like it’s time to harvest,” Dash says, placing the clipboard down and waggling his brows at me.

“Yeah, it is. I’ll turn on the fans.”

We move off as another set of footsteps echo through the Chamber. We both turn as Eva strides toward us.

“Void’s in a good mood,” she states.

I scoff, turning to continue with my work. “Not my problem.”

“If one of the brothers is having a mental breakdown all the time, and the common denominator in their breakdown is you, then yeah, Ivy, it’s your problem.”

I throw my hands in the air. “What am I supposed to do? I try talking to him, he shuts down. I let him talk to me, he shuts down. I ignore him, he shuts down. There’s only so much I can do.”

Eva’s eyes shift to Dash, who’s trying to appear busy, ignoring our conversation. “Try. Fucking. Harder. You have a connection, Ivy. Hell, everyone’s seen it. Void’s not like that with anyone else the way he is with you.”

“Maybe he should be the one to try harder, then, ’cause I’m sick of being the one always trying. I’ve been fighting all my life, Eva. I’m tired of fighting. You, of all people, should understand that.”

Eva exhales. “I get it. But tell me this… is Void worth fighting for? Search deep down, because you know the damn answer.”

I peer over my shoulder at Dash, who’s stopped working and is invested in the conversation, clearly listening in. Turning back, I grab Eva and spin her toward the exit. “I have work to do. Can we catch up later?”

Eva chuckles. “You trying to get rid of me?”

“I’m trying to get rid of this conversation.”

“Okay, I’m going. But this topic is not closed, Ivy.”

“Bye, hermana.”

Dash glances over, and with a slight snicker, says, “Siblings, huh? They wanna know all your shit.”

I groan. “This Old Lady business is going to her head. She’s always been in charge, but now it’s giving her even more of a reason to boss me around.”

“You don’t seem the submissive type. I see you more as the take-the-bull-by-the-horns type.”

“Exactly. I like being in control. It’s not easy for me to give that up.”

“Well, I, for one, like it when you take charge. You bossing me around gives me the tingles.”

I snort out a laugh and shove him playfully.

Dash might be an idiot, but at least he’s not an asshole.