18. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
B rody
We’re quiet for a few seconds after Nick and Zane reveal the reason for their impromptu visit. I don’t know if Ivy feels it too, but it’s a struggle to focus my attention on anything else but what we were about to do.
I call myself to order. This is why she is here after all. Not to satisfy my thirst for her body or to come apart when I stroke into her. No. She’s here for her and her sister’s safety.
And I need to start acting the part of the one tasked to keep them safe.
“Hold on,” Ivy says. “Iris needs to hear this.”
Her hair flips as she spins around and heads upstairs. I spend more than a few seconds watching her walk away. Just moments ago, I had that firm ass in my hands. Now I have my hands jammed in my pockets to prevent me from doing something stupid like reaching for her again in the presence of everyone. It doesn’t help that my cock is still rock hard and aching to be inside her.
I turn back to my friends. Nick has a curious look on his face.
“You good?” He looks between me and Ivy.
I shrug. “Of course.”
Zane looks as though he has a different opinion but he keeps it to himself.
We settle around the table and seconds later, Ivy is leading out a sleepy Iris. It’s good to know our romp didn’t wake her up.
“What’s happening?” She rubs her eyes as she plops down on a chair. “Hi, Nick. Hi, Zane.”
Ivy takes the spot beside her and her eyes meet mine briefly. It’s a mere second but it’s long enough to spot the fear and worry. She’s nervous. I fold my hands in my lap. It’d be odd if I went around the table now and wrapped my arms around her, placing soft kisses on her head and telling her it’ll be alright.
Wait, where the fuck is that thought coming from anyway? I don’t do that. I’m the type to pass on bad news without blinking and expect you to suck it up because life is tough. But I don’t want the world to be tough for Ivy. She’s already seen too much shit between her job and family life. She deserves some good news.
“Get on with it, will you?” I snap at the guys.
“We will,” Nick says, watching me with a heavy dose of suspicion. “So, we found out who sent the threats to Iris—”
“Oh, god.” Iris is wide awake now. She covers her mouth with shaky hands. “You did? Is it someone I know? Is it—”
“Hey.” Ivy wraps an arm around her. “We’ll find out who, okay? Just let him speak.”
“Okay, okay.” Iris draws a deep breath and folds her hands so tightly her knuckles turn white. “Who is it?”
“It’s someone that worked closely with your former record label, as we suspected.”
Her eyes spin in her head as though she’s running through a list of people. “Do you have a name?”
“No, we don’t, but all signs point to them, whoever they are,” Zane says.
Ivy sighs. “That’s not good enough now, is it? We need to know they are.”
“Ivy’s right,” I say. “Who is this person?”
All eyes swing my way.
The spot between my shoulder blades stiffens. “What?”
“Seriously, man. Did you get hit in the head?” Nick squints at me.
“You’re siding with Ivy,” Iris explains, forgetting her worries.
It’s difficult to fight with the woman whose taste still lingers on my tongue. But saying that would only feed the fire that drives these nosy folks.
“Incorrect.” I keep my tone even. “I’m more concerned with getting to the bottom of our findings than bickering.”
“Yes, that’s right.” Ivy catches my eye, nerves dancing in hers. “So, Zane,” she moves the conversation along, “tell us. How are we sure they’ll get the right person?”
“Oh, they will.” Nick grins. “I forwarded all the information I gathered to Callum. He and his team have everything they need to catch this person. They can’t escape. He’ll get them.”
Doubt lingers in the sisters’ eyes.
Zane and Nick share a look.
“Should we?” Nick asks.
Zane nods. “It’s just one night. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“You know exactly who did it.” It’s a chore to keep my jaw off the floor. “Why did you just hide that information?” It stings my pride a little more because I’m a part of the team. Just because I’m away from the main detective action doesn’t make me any less entitled to knowing the details.
“Callum made us promise not to say anything until the man is arrested,” Nick says.
“What do you think we’re going to do? Go tell the guy to skip town?” Ivy scoffs.
“Or you could have waited until he was actually arrested to raise our hopes.” Iris shrugs.
“Nick was too excited to keep it in,” Zane says.
Nick starts to protest, but I cut him off. “We’re just going in circles now. Who is this person?”
He exhales. “If anything happens, you all are at fault, not me.”
“Nothing’s going to happen.” Iris leans forward, her eyes anxious. “Just tell us who it is.”
“A man named Christopher Lawson.”
Iris’ eyes widen. “Chris?” She bows her head. “Oh, god.”
“What? You know him?” Ivy asks.
Iris stands, pacing the space. “He was the producer from the artist development company the record label hired to sharpen my skills. We would work for hours on end every day. I trusted him. I was open with him. He was my friend. I can’t believe he’d do something like this. He seemed harmless.”
“He’s a creep preying on a woman young enough to be his daughter.” Nick’s jaw is set in stone. “Don’t excuse him.”
“I know. I know.” She settles in beside her sister again, taking her hand in hers. “So, he’s going to be arrested tomorrow?”
“Callum will make sure of it,” Zane says. “He won’t be able to hurt you or anyone around you again.”
That’s a relief, but if the cops arrest Chris, then they’re free to return home.
“Come on. Why the somber faces?” Nick grins. “It’s time to celebrate.”
“Celebrate?” Iris asks.
“Uh-huh. The case is closed and you are free to go.”
Ivy and Iris stare at each other like they can’t quite believe it, and then Ivy’s gaze meets mine. Something passes between us. I’m not sure what but it leaves a knot in my throat.
“And she is going to be here in three, two...”
“Who?” Ivy interrupts Nick’s countdown.
A knock rattles the front door.
“One.” His eyes twinkle. He tears away from the table and heads to the door.
“What’s happening?” I ask Zane.
“Just a little something Nick had planned.”
Moments later, he returns, brandishing two wine bottles and a wide smile. Sera trails after him with a box of wine glasses.
“Who’s ready to celebrate?” He raises the bottles.
I’m about to stop him but I restrain myself as the others cheer, on board with his shenanigans. This means they’d be spending more time here, reducing my chances of getting Ivy alone.
Sera and Nick distribute the glasses and pour out a drink for everyone.
While we’re all seated, Nick stands and gives a speech. “It’s been a grueling couple of weeks, for some more than others.” He looks between Ivy and me and a few titters go around the table. “But we’ve managed to work together to bring our first case to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone involved.”
Sera starts off the applause and we join in.
“Now, thank you Ivy and Iris for being cooperative. Thanks to Sera for being the best receptionist ever always going above and beyond.”
She smiles and tips her glass up. Zane doesn’t try to mask his eye roll but thankfully, Sera doesn’t seem to notice.
“And thanks to Brody for keeping the sisters safe instead of... you know”—he makes a slashing sign across his throat—“one of them.” Nick winks and a couple of chuckles break around the table.
I know he’s going to beat me and Ivy’s running feud to death tonight. If only he knows there’s another way I want to tousle with her.
I stare at her until she looks at me. Her dark green gaze is heated. She doesn’t shy away, looking down to where my fingers cradle the stem of the glass. Fingers that I had inside her. Her mind is still on what we started and couldn’t finish. Good. That means I’m not the only one. I wonder if she’s still wet between her legs. If she’s creaming up her panties as she thinks of the ways I could be having her right now if the guys didn’t show up. She gulps and resumes looking at Nick. Bet she is .
“Thanks to Zane’s genius and expert tracking abilities we were able to follow internet trails we wouldn’t have managed without him. And thanks to my charm, wit, and suave ability to blend in, not forgetting my expert investigative abilities, my crazy-good intuition—”
“Get on with it,” I gripe.
“No, go on. I really want to hear how much praise for himself he’s able to cram into one sentence,” Ivy says, pulling a few laughs.
“Thank you, dear Ivy.” He clears his throat. “Where was I? Oh, yes. Good intuition, my great interpersonal skills, and excellent physique...”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Iris murmurs.
“We were able to solve the case,” he concludes.
I sigh. “Thought you’d never arrive at the point.”
He raises a finger. “But we also must not forget my—” This time, there’s a collective groan from everyone. “Just yanking your chains, you rascals.” He raises a glass. “To us and what we’ve accomplished.”
“To us,” we echo.
Glasses clink and the drinking begins. Nick discovers the surround sound stereo that Ivy, Iris, and I have rarely used during our time here. He puts on an upbeat pop playlist, further enlivening the gathering. Even Zane doesn’t look as tightly wound as he normally would in a noisy setting.
The treats the ladies bought at the store come out, making it a real party.
I should participate. HEY has closed its first case. We have proof that we can do what we’ve set out to accomplish. Yet, I can’t concentrate long enough to enjoy this victory.
My eyes follow every move Ivy makes. She’s all smiles, engaging in conversations with the rest. I’m selfish as fuck wanting her in my arms, all to myself.
Her eyes meet mine. She’s been catching my eyes all night. But this time, they hold.
“I’m getting tired,” she announces. “It’s been a long day.”
“Oh, poor you. You didn’t get to nap when we came home.” Her sister pats her cheek.
No, she didn’t. She didn’t need a nap. She was begging to be fucked.
“You want to lie down for a bit?” Iris asks.
“I think that’s best for me right now. I’ll just lie in bed and get some.” Ivy keeps her eyes on me. “Thank you, guys.”
She places her glass on the table and heads upstairs. Midway up, she looks back and meets my eyes again. She’s sending a message. And if I’m receiving it right, she wants me up there with her.
After her exit, everyone gathers around the table for a game of cards. As I play the first round, my mind races thinking of how I can extricate myself from this without drawing attention to myself. Then it clicks. I lose intentionally.
“Better luck next time, buddy.” Nick pats my back.
I drain my glass and wait for a couple minutes until they are engrossed in the next game. “I’m gonna use the bathroom.”
No one glances my way, all focused on the game.
The loud music follows me as I head upstairs. Good thinking on Nick’s part. No one will hear it when I make Ivy scream. I walk past the bathroom and stop in front of her bedroom door. Sucking in a breath, I grab the door handle.
God help me. If I’ve read this wrong and she’s asleep or doing something else I shouldn’t witness, then I’d never live this down. But I can’t turn back now.
I can keep my fingers crossed and push the door open. “Fuck me.”
“What took you so long?”
She’s stretched out on the bed, bare from head to toe. Her ankles are crossed, hiding her snatch from me but the soft hairs sticking out from her middle mark the spot. My mouth grows dry and my cock hardens as my gaze climbs from her long limbs past her flat belly to her round, ripe breasts. My eyes meet hers and a small smile tilts her lips.
“Are you going to keep standing there? Or will you come over and finish what you started?”
I don’t need to be asked twice. I close the door behind me, shutting out the noise from downstairs.