Chapter 4
Chapter Four
IVY
Then
“ D on’t cry, princess.” Athair’s voice was soft but his grip was firm as he led me through Dublin’s narrow streets. “You’re with your old man. You’re not scared, are you?”
I shook my head, long curls sticking to my tear-streaked cheeks, and followed along for what felt like hours, trying not to trip over my feet. When we stopped in front of a big metal container, I was scared and didn’t understand why we were here.
“Mama won’t be happy,” I murmured, my eyes locked on the women huddled together in a corner.
“We won’t tell her.”
“But—”
Athair came to a stop, grabbing my other hand and pressing it to his chest. “No, Ivy. This has to remain our secret.”
My eyes darted around, Athair’s bodyguards standing discreetly behind us. “They’re crying… What if they’re hurt.”
“I know, my heart,” he urged. “But this is to keep them safe.”
“Who?” I whispered.
“Your sisters.” A cold voice came behind me and I whirled around, fear taking hold of my lungs.
“Ivy only has brothers,” Athair stated, his voice like a whip. “As you well know, Sofia.”
The woman smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in it. Something about it pulled on my chest, and I took her slim, elegant hand in mine. “But I’ve always wanted a sister.”
The woman’s gaze grew wet and she lowered to one knee, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“I’ll count on that, little Ivy. When the time comes, be good to them.”
My fluttering heart warmed and I nodded, trying to seem older than my five years. “Who are you?”
Sofia smiled sadly. “I’m the villainess, ruling in the darkness because of the men.”
“I’m scared of the dark,” I admitted. Athair’s grip on me tightened, the gesture silently comforting. It said you are safe . My gaze darted to the little boys and girls around us. “They might be scared of the dark too. Can we help them?”
Her beautiful face turned harsh. “Someone has to pay for their parents’ sins.”
She rose to her full height and met Athair’s tall frame, their eyes locking. “I can’t keep doing this, Sofia. My wife suspects something.”
“Then bring Ivy along.”
His grip on my hand tightened and I whimpered. “Athair, you’re hurting me.”
He rubbed my little hand affectionately. “I’m sorry, princess.” His eyes returned to the strange woman. “I’m taking my daughter out of here.”
Sofia blocked his way out. “First, I need you to do something.”
“If you think I’m getting you more… merchandise, you’re out of your mind. The Cullens are already onto me.”
“I’ll put you in touch with someone, and the Cullens will be dealt with.”
Athair stiffened. “Fuck you will. They’re young parents. Aiden Cullen is just sticking to the code—you know how everyone feels about human trafficking.”
“He’s weak and this stupid code is making me weak.” My brow furrowed. Nothing they said was making any sense. “The only way to protect the twins is for me to take the power that is rightfully mine,” Sofia said. “You know that as well as I do.”
“But trafficking these kids?—”
“I was sold like cattle and survived.”
Athair snorted. “If you call this survival, you’ve lost your fucking mind, Sofia.”
“I couldn’t protect my firstborn and her daughter; I will protect my twins. You should want to do the same. They’re yours as much as little Ivy is, after all.” Shocked, I tipped my head back to look at Athair, but he kept his eyes on the woman. “So you will help me with this. We’ll rule the world at any and all costs.”
“You mean you will rule the world,” he spat.
My gaze bounced between them, following their exchange, but I only had more questions. Who were these twins? Why would Athair have more daughters? He said I was his only princess.
“Athair, will you and Mama be di—vo—r—ced?” I asked. I heard the word spoken by our cook who left her husband. I didn’t quite understand it, but Mama said it means two people no longer loved each other. Surely, if he was here with this mean woman, he didn’t love Mama anymore.
“Absolutely not. We shall go back home to Mama and your brothers. The six of us together, forever.”
His assurance made me feel better, but still left me confused.