Chapter 65 Ivy
IVY
Six months have passed since Silas kidnapped me and Drew shot him.
Sebastian and I have settled into a routine, with Drew and Mr. Pickles firmly part of our daily life. It’s comfortable and so damn easy, like this life was always meant for me.
Mr. Pickles and Drew have grown closer. He even napped on Drew’s lap while we watched a movie two nights ago. They both share a love for cheese, which has bonded them.
Mr. Pickles has not lost his flair for the dramatic.
Yesterday, Drew accidentally stepped on his tail.
The cat retaliated by peeing on his bed and leaving his toy mouse in Drew’s shoe.
I barely batted an eye when Drew screamed like he was in a horror movie, then started yelling.
Even though I couldn’t hear what he was shrieking from where I sat in the office I now share with Sebastian, I caught words like “shoe,” “mouse,” “pee,” “comforter,” and “demon cat” to piece together what happened.
I grinned and kept writing the paper for class. I’m taking an overload this semester and next, so I can graduate with a master’s degree in the spring. I don’t have time for Drew’s histrionics. Or the war he’s currently fighting with a five-pound dictator.
Sebastian’s at work, and I’m in the office, typing away, when Drew knocks on the door. “Have you been on social media?”
I shake my head. “Between classes and writing the next book, I haven’t had time.”
He comes over and shows me his phone. I laugh when I see the Facebook community group.
“Oh no. Did Mr. Pickles make the chat?”
“He did. But not today.” He points at the comment, and I freeze when I read it.
“Is Silas seriously trying to claim insanity as a defense?”
Drew pulls up something on his phone and hands it to me. I blink rapidly when I see he’s filed motions claiming insanity.
“That’s just… absurd. He knew what he was doing. He wasn’t insane when he kidnapped me.” Anger flows through me. “He’s trying to psychologically torment me.”
I sit back in my chair, my hands clenching the armrests of the chair until my fingers turn white. His insanity defense is bullshit.
Insane men don’t plan escape routes. Insane men don’t duct-tape windows.
Insane men don’t whisper your name like they own it.
“I know. I just wanted to warn you as you prepare for the trial.”
I read it again, noticing another new detail. The court ordered a psychiatric evaluation of Silas.
He really is going for the insanity defense.
His phone rings, Sebastian’s name on the screen. He shoots me an apologetic look before he answers. “Hi, big bro.”
I can’t hear what Sebastian’s saying, but he cuts Drew off and goes on a tirade for a few beats before Drew can finally speak.
“Yes, I know. I saw it. I showed Ivy.” Drew glances at me and rolls his eyes. “You know she’ll be prepared. She has all of us plus the lawyers coaching her.”
Drew taps his foot as Sebastian rattles on. Mr. Pickles comes into the room and begins attacking Drew’s shoestrings.
“Yes. We know. Go back to work and quit worrying.” Drew ends the call and immediately turns the ringer off.
“I didn’t hear everything he said, but I heard enough.”
He sighs. “You know how protective he is.”
“I do. He’s extremely protective.”
My phone rings. “Speak of the devil.”
“You good to talk to him?”
I wave him away. “I can handle Sebastian. Go comment on the community Facebook page and create some drama.”
Drew laughs. “You know me too well.”
I answer the phone as Drew closes the door, knowing damn well I’ll be spending the next ten minutes trying to reassure my boyfriend that everything’s fine.
“Hey, babe.” My voice is infuriatingly calm. I can tell by the long pause before Sebastian blows out a sigh. His tone is full of frustration when he speaks.
I remain optimistic and cheerful, driving him crazy.
After we hang up, I resume writing my paper. Or trying. Deleting and retyping a sentence three times proves I’m not as happy and well-adjusted as I pretend to be.
I’m glad Drew showed me what Silas is up to.
But deep down, the thought of facing him in court was bad enough. Facing him with an insanity defense will be worse.
I’m not looking forward to it. At all.