Rami

Chapter 25

Ivy stirred at the sound of the shower running. She lifted her head. The banging was almost gone. Thank god.

Sunlight streamed in. She stayed under the covers for a minute just staring at the wedge of yellow light on the hardwood floor.

Waking up in Rami’s bed was different from waking up in her own. She didn’t have to dread being greeted by silence in the kitchen, or fall asleep worrying that someone was going to break in. As a woman living alone in the city, she’d always had that fear.

Turned out she should have been more afraid of grocery store parking lots.

She slept easy in Rami’s house. In his bed. If danger came to the door, he’d be armed and ready. This knowledge was a luxury she’d never realized she lacked. Sure, now she had to worry about someone coming for her. But she wasn’t alone. Rami would protect her with his life. He’d fought like hell to find her—twice.

The water shut off and Ivy rose from the bed. Now that she’d rested and eaten, she was a lot more aware of her appearance—and smell. She brought her hand to the icky strands pulled back from her face. Gross.

The bathroom door opened and Rami exited with a towel low around his hips. Every hard-earned ridge of his abdomen was on display. Ink adorned his gorgeous olive skin.

“You’re up.” He gave her a half smile. “Gigi texted. They’ll be at the house soon.”

Ivy perked up, getting to her feet. “Oh, good! I’ll shower. I can’t believe I haven’t washed all the dirt and grime from last night off.” She approached the bathroom door, but he didn’t move out of her way. Instead, his palm snaked around her waist.

“You’re gorgeous. And don’t get me started on your scent or I’ll drag your ass back to bed for round two.”

Her face heated and she nudged him in the stomach. He flinched, and she grinned as he captured her hand in his much larger one and pulled her against his body. Droplets of water dampened his chest and heat radiated off him. He bent his head and nibbled the side of her neck.

She laughed and squirmed, but his grip kept her in place. “Rami!”

He chuckled and swatted her ass with his free hand. “Now get in the shower before I spread you wide.”

She gasped. Her cheeks flamed with temptation. She studied his intense gaze and bubbles of delight erupted inside her. He’d trimmed his beard, and with his face freshly scrubbed and the aroma of piney soap wafting off him, he was a delicious specimen. “Tonight.” She slipped from his hold and shut the door in his face. His loud groan made her laugh.

Thirty minutes and the hottest shower of her life later, she felt almost human and resembled her old, attractive self. She blow-dried her hair so it hung in loose waves, applied makeup, and put on jeans and black tank top.

The bruise on her cheek peeked out from beneath her foundation, which she rarely wore but sure as hell needed today. At least the dark circles under her eyes and the small nicks and scratches from the branches were mostly hidden.

Rami entered the bedroom just as she finished making the bed. His expression was tight... uncomfortable? No, that wasn’t it. She chewed her bottom lip, dying to know what was going on in his head. Did he feel she was invading his space?

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded.

He gave a half smile and reached for her hand. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just—” She swallowed the questions burning her tongue. “Just anxious to see Gigi.”

“I’m sure she’s more so.” He led her out of the bedroom and to the front door. They put on their shoes and stepped outside. Ivy waited on the porch while he locked the door, and she inhaled the warm air.

“It’s going to be a nice day.”

“Mm-hmm. Maybe we should stop by your place and get some more things. You’re staying for a bit, right?”

For a bit.

She gave a shaky smile. “Yeah, I should be feeling better soon. Then I’ll be out of your hair.” She tacked on a light laugh and his expression darkened.

He cut in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. “You’re not in my hair, babe.” His eyes were hot coals, and volumes of words and emotion welled up in his crystalline irises.

Her belly squirmed. “I didn’t mean—”

“Listen.” His hand caught hers, and he brought her knuckles to his lips. “I want you here. Actually, I’d like you to move in. I won’t rush you, but just know that all you have to do is say the word.”

Her lip quivered. Move in? God. She’d been way off thinking she was monopolizing his space. She swallowed the feeling making her want to throw her arms around his neck and hire a moving truck.

It was too soon to make commitments. Everything was fresh: the terror of last night, the hell of the last three weeks. Rami was a protector, and though he might not realize it, having her under his arm gave him purpose. When the dust settled, if he still wanted her around, she’d take him up on his offer. “Okay,” she said with a smile. “I will.”

He winked and let go of her hand. “Let’s go see your sister before she shows up at my place with an army.”

They rode in silence, but Rami’s warm hand claimed her thigh. His words spun in her mind, clinging to her heart with hope and promise. But her conclusion was the same—she wouldn’t allow herself to examine their situation or make definite plans that could hurt either of them if the wind changed direction.

Rami steered into Gigi’s driveway and parked. “One sec,” he said, when she reached for the door. His fingers bumbled over his screen and then he tucked away his phone. “Just letting the guys know we’re here. August wants to drop off Gigi’s money.”

They got out of the car just as the front door swung open. “Ohmigod!” Gigi’s sob twisted Ivy’s insides.

Her sister ran down the marble porch steps in bare feet and hurled herself around Ivy, giving her a neck-breaking squeeze. “I thought I’d lost you again,” she choked out.

Ivy closed her eyes and inhaled Gigi’s familiar perfume. “I’m sorry we worried you.”

Gigi pulled back to stare at Ivy, and her twin sister’s face almost matched the rough state of Ivy’s. Dark circles not covered by makeup ringed her eyes and her skin was sallow and pale, as if she’d been awake for days. Her red nose indicated she’d spent many hours in tears.

“Don’t be silly. Come on, I want you to tell me everything.” Gigi hooked her arm through Ivy’s and they ascended the stairs. Gigi paused and threw a glance over her shoulder. “Oh, your boyfriend can come, too,” she said teasingly.

Ivy nudged her sister in the ribs, but Rami only grinned and followed them. “Where’s Todd?” he asked, as they entered the foyer.

“Oh,” she said, flipping her wrist. “On the phone somewhere. Maybe in the den down the hall. Had to make an important call but he’ll be out soon. He was just as worried as I was.” Gigi went to the stove and put on the kettle then took out a box of Ivy’s favorite green tea.

Sometimes Ivy forgot how easy it was being in Gigi’s company. They rarely needed to communicate their thoughts or needs to each other—they just knew. Some called it twin telepathy. Or maybe they just had so much in common that their wants often matched.

“Coffee, tea?” Gigi asked Rami.

He shook his head. “I’m good thanks. I’m gonna sit outside. Give you ladies time to talk.” He leaned forward and caught Ivy’s lips in his. His hand was firm on her jaw. “Call if you need me.”

Her loins clenched as he swept his thumb over her bottom lip. When his hand dropped away, she wanted nothing more than to follow him outside and continue what they’d been doing in the pool and on the lounger the previous night.

Ivy exhaled and turned to find Gigi smirking. “What?” Ivy asked, but her blasted lips didn’t hide the smile.

“Oh, nothing. He just takes his work very seriously.”

“Shush,” Ivy said with a throaty laugh. But it felt good to joke with her sister. To have something light to talk about.

“I’m happy for you.” Gigi’s voice turned soft and thoughtful. “Rami... he’s got it all. And he seems to genuinely care for you. Like borderline possessively, but it’s hot as fuck.”

Ivy snorted. “He’s only possessive when someone tries to hurt me.”

Gigi placed her hands on the kitchen counter. “That’s what you want. Someone who will protect you with their life.” A hint of longing tugged on Gigi’s words.

Ivy cocked her head. “How was Colorado? You know. Before I ripped you away from wedding planning.”

“Good. I think we got the big details settled and the rest can be done by email.” The kettle hissed and Gigi tapped the counter with her fingertips. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”

While Gigi poured their tea, Ivy unloaded the events of the night—leaving out the poolside moments.

Gigi did not need to know those.

By the time she’d reached the part about Wayne smashing the back of her head into the ground, tears were coursing down her cheeks and Gigi’s arms were around her.

“I’m so sorry you went through that. Sorry I wasn’t there. I never should have left for stupid Colorado.” Gigi sniffed and swiped at the tears beneath her eyes. “Sorry, I’m a mess. I didn’t sleep at all last night, just dozed a bit on the plane, and I don’t think I’m firing on all cylinders.”

Ivy rubbed her back and changed the subject to work, needing a break from the heavy talk. Gigi’s food blog was taking off, and Ivy eagerly asked about the new recipes her sister was working on.

“What about you?” Gigi asked, once she’d shared her work news. “When are you going to return to work?”

“As soon as possible. My first priority is editing the photos from the sessions I had prior to being abducted. Actually, I left my laptop in Todd’s office. Do you mind if I grab it?”

“Oh, sure.” Gigi waved her off and got up to clear their dishes.

Ivy stood and made her way through the kitchen to the wide spiral staircase that stretched from the main level to the second story. With her hand on the banister, she climbed the oak steps. The cream-colored runner down the middle of them softened the sound of her feet.

The hallway opened to a large bonus room. On her way to the office, Ivy passed three spare bedrooms—rooms Ivy hoped would soon be filled with her nieces and nephews. That idea put a smile on her face.

Approaching the office, she lifted her fingers to the partially opened door.

“No, escucha—”

Ivy froze.

She pulled her hand away from the door as if it were cloaked in fire, and her chest spasmed with anxiety.

Since when did Todd speak Spanish?

“Fernando, por favor!”

Ivy gasped and backed up.

Fernando?

No, no, no.

She clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle her scream.

It couldn’t be. Todd was connected to Fernando? There had to be some mistake. More Spanish words spilled from the office.

“Fuck!”

Todd’s curse jolted Ivy into motion. He was walking toward the door. She sucked in a breath and rounded the corner to tuck herself inside Todd and Gigi’s bedroom. Questions and denial buzzed in her mind. She closed her eyes. Todd’s footsteps clomped down the hallway. Her fear spiked with his every step.

Todd was one of them.

Oh, god. If he found out she knew, he might kill them.

She had to warn Rami.

***

Rami opened thesliding door and waltzed through the living room. And hell if his dick wasn’t hard from sitting out on the damn patio looking at the pool.

Had it really been only last night that they’d made love on the lounger? Slept under the stars? He’d had her this morning in his bed, but it still wasn’t enough.

He’d never get enough.

“Hey,” Gigi said, “Ivy just went to grab her laptop. She should be right down.” She finished drying a dish and tucked it into the cupboard. “Do you guys want to stay for dinner? We can order—”

Todd walked into the room. His usually neatly combed hair was a little tousled, and the cuffs of his sleeves were loose. He looked like shit. They’d surely been up all night.

“Hey, hun,” Gigi said. “Hungry?”

Todd stopped in his tracks as his gaze slid over Rami. “Uh, hey, man. Didn’t realize you guys were here already.”

Rami nodded and pushed his hands into his pockets. “Glad you guys got home. I’m sure that was a rough flight.”

Todd dragged his fingers through his hair, his hand trembling wildly. Rami watched as Todd’s Adam’s apple bobbed on a chortle. Was the guy nervous?

“You okay?” Gigi asked, her gaze fixed on Todd.

“Yeah,” he said, with another shaky laugh. “We need to talk, honey. I’ve got an issue with one of my clients and unfortunately, we have to leave today. Now, actually,” he corrected, clearing his throat. “Why don’t you grab your suitcase?”

Gigi’s head jerked back. “You can’t be serious. Todd, I’m exhausted. I’m not going anywhere, and whoever this client is, they can just wait, okay? We’ve had a helluva night. Surely anyone would understand.”

Todd worked his mouth from side to side, and his attention flicked to Rami. Then his shoulders relaxed and he brushed Gigi’s hair away from her shoulder. “You’re right. Family’s most important.” He smiled and kissed Gigi’s cheek. “I’m gonna run out and get us some food. Put your feet up and rest.”

Rami’s senses whirred with warning.

What the hell was going on?

Gigi relaxed as well. “Get enough for everyone.”

“’Course.” He waved at Rami and left the room, veering down the hallway toward the den rather than the front door.

Rami’s blood pressure ticked up a notch. Something greater than fatigue or jet lag was up with Todd, but it wasn’t Rami’s place to ask questions or pry. It didn’t concern him.

Gigi’s phone rang, and she grunted with impatience as she glanced at the screen. “’Scuse me a sec.” She pressed the device to her ear and turned her back to him. “Hello?”

Movement at the corner of his eye brought Rami’s attention to the kitchen doorway. Ivy entered the room, her face pale and her eyes wide. She went right to him and, circling an arm around his waist, led him into the living room. “I need to talk to you.” Her eyes darted around the room as if she expected someone to jump out.

His hackles rose and his fingers itched to snag the gun from the small of his back. Instead, he gripped her elbow. “What’s wrong?”

She knotted her fingers together. “It’s Todd. I—I heard him talking on the phone upstairs. He—” She wet her lips and shook her head. “This sounds crazy.” Tears collected at the corners of her eyes, and it took all his resolve not to drag Todd in here by his throat and force him to confess to whatever had Ivy in such distress. “Tell me,” he commanded.

“He was speaking Spanish.”

Rami lifted his eyebrows. “And that’s unusual?”

“I’ve never heard him speak Spanish before. Gigi never told me he could. And—” She gulped. “He was speaking to someone named Fernando. Pleading with him.”

Hot, violent rage swept through Rami, making his vision waver. He reached for his Glock, its heavy metal giving him comfort. “Stay here.”

He stormed across the house. Gigi turned from the island, and her lips formed a giant O at the sight of Rami. She muttered something into the phone before disconnecting.

“What’s wrong?” Gigi cried.

“Wait with your sister,” he ground out.

Todd came down the hallway, a small duffel bag in hand. “Hey—”

Rami intercepted him, grabbing Todd by the scruff of his neck. He pinned him to the wall. “Start fucking talking, cabrón.”