Chapter 24
Zane
I hear it from the street behind the station.
Raised voices—Myles, sharp and wild.
Then I hear a crash.
My heart stops cold, then kicks into overdrive.
Abandoning my patrol, I race down the side of the old pharmacy, jump the back fence, and land hard in the loading dock as another shout rattles the walls.
It's coming from the holding room. I can see movement in the grimy windows.
I don't think. I just run.
Barging through the back door, I round the corner and skid to a halt. The scene is the last thing I’d ever want to see.
Myles and Phoenix. Grappling. Throwing punches. And Ivy… Fuck, she's caught between them!
One of the old desks is a splintered heap behind them, cracked down the middle like someone was thrown onto it. Phoenix’s back is covered in debris. He has an arm out in front of Ivy like he's trying to protect her—but that hand is wrapped around her hips, possessive as hell.
Myles’s lip is split and bleeding. He’s gripping Ivy’s arm, yanking her forward.
Their voices overlap, barking accusations and spitting venom. As if she's some goddamn prize at a carnival they’re both trying to claim.
Ivy turns, eyes finding mine—frightened, filled with tears, pleading.
And that's it. That's enough to shatter the fragile calm I’d found out on patrol.
My deep voice pierces through the chaos like a bullet. “Let. Her. Go.”
Phoenix doesn’t turn but Myles’s gaze lifts, his grasp faltering.
Seizing the opportunity, Ivy twists, managing to jerk free and bolts straight into me. I catch her against my chest, turning my body to shield her from them like a wall.
“Hey, hey. It’s alright, I’ve got you,” I soothe, stroking her hair. “I've got you now.”
She buries her face against me as if she’d crawl inside my chest if I’d let her. Her little body is shaking so much. My arms tighten automatically, like I could fuse her to me and keep her forever.
If they’ve hurt her… If I find one drop of blood on her… I’ll be the one they have to lock up. Because whatever control I’ve built since they found me will obliterate. Nothing will stop me from killing them both.
No vows, or debts, or oaths. No love that’s grown for them over the years. I’ll kill them with my bare hands.
My focus snaps back to them. “Are you both out of your goddamn minds?” I roar, losing my temper for the first time in years. “This isn't a fucking game. She's not some goddamn trophy to fight over.”
Phoenix and Myles both step forward, eyes locked on her now. But I pull Ivy tighter and start backing out of the room.
That look in their eyes tells me this isn’t over.
“What the fuck were you two thinking? Yanking her around like that! She’s fucking terrified,” I growl.
“Always the protector, Zane,” Myles snarls. “She should be terrified. She was about to come on his fingers.”
Myles doesn’t even spare a sideways glance at Phoenix. He’s completely zeroed in on Ivy.
I keep my eyes on him, knowing he could lunge forward to grab her at any second. But something in my gut twists.
Phoenix was touching her?
“And we were so rudely interrupted,” Phoenix taunts, voice calm. “Don’t you want to finish what we started, little stray?”
I have to make a conscious effort not to crush her in my arms.
Her fists loosen on my shirt—as if she’s actually considering it.
It shouldn’t cut so deep. I have no right to care. I looked after her because it was right, not to butter her up. But that tiny hesitation makes something primal rage in me.
It takes everything in me not to toss her over my shoulder like a caveman and take her to my room, lock the door, and keep her safe like I should’ve from the start.
But I know it has to be her choice. Even if it crushes me. I’d rather cut out my own heart than take that away.
I tilt her chin up, those tear-filled eyes tugging hard on something inside me. She deserves better than all of this. Than us.
“I’m sorry they scared you, sweetheart,” I say gently, trying my best to ignore the twisting feeling. “It’s been just the three of us for so long… Do you want to go with Phoenix?”
Ivy turns her head to look at them again and they both attempt to put on innocent smiles. But the look on their faces even sends shivers down my spine. They look possessed. Like wolves circling a bleeding animal.
If I were choosing between them—honestly, I’d shoot them both instead.
When she shudders and hides her face in my chest again, that’s all the answer I need. “She's coming with me.”
I don't wait for a response. I don't trust myself not to swing at one of them.
Carrying her down the hall, I hear their footsteps following and quicken my pace. I keep my arms around her protectively, heart hammering as I block their access to her. But then their fighting picks up again at the bottom of the stairs, and they fall behind.
Finally making it to my room, I close the door behind us and lock it.
Looking down at Ivy, I brush her hair from her face, heart still thundering, and pull her back into my chest.
“You're safe,” I murmur, a sense of fulfilment washing over me. “I promise. They're not getting near you tonight.”
She nods against my chest, the tension in her body easing a fraction. Her little fists loosening a touch.
And they’re damn lucky I got there when I did. Because if either of them had hurt her… I don't know what I would have done.
But it wouldn't have ended well for either of them.