Chapter 9
CALLEN
“Bitch,” I curse. “One Penrose sister is bad enough, but two of them?” I shake my head and spit on the ground next to the bush where the dead bodies of Spencer’s security guards are hiding. “Un-fucking-believable. Are we seriously leaving Spencer Bexley untouched?”
“You heard Ivy,” Seb says.
Yeah, I heard her. That doesn’t mean I agree with her, though.
“Since when does Ivy make our fucking rules?” My anger rises. “Why should we listen to a resurrected clone of Ivy’s dead sister, anyway? She tried to kill me, remember?”
Stupid Lotus. I’m rarely overpowered by anyone, and I don’t take it lightly. She may be a woman, but in my opinion, she’s fair fucking game. I wouldn’t have killed her, obviously, but Freddie could have at least let me teach her a lesson.
“She’s Ivy’s sister,” Seb says. “She could have killed me at Beatrice’s funeral, but she didn’t. That has to mean something. No matter what she says, she still cares about Ivy.”
I expected a murder spree, not a family reunion. My pent-up energy has nowhere to go, putting me on edge.
“We’re supposed to be in charge,” I rage. “Not acting like the Killers Club’s little bitches.”
“What would you have done if it was Tilly?” Seb asks.
I freeze. It’s the first time he’s ever mentioned her. Everyone knows better than to talk about my sweet girl. If she walked back into my life and asked me to walk over hot coals, I’d do it. Hell, I’d do anything if it meant I could have a few more seconds with her. To hold her again. To breathe in the sweet scent of her shampoo. To tell her how much I love her.
“Exactly,” Seb says, reading my mind. “You’d do anything for your family.”
The fucker has me.
Up ahead, Bram takes giant strides with Ivy in his arms.
“Hey!” Seb yells. “Wait for us!”
Bram ignores him and heads to a silver car. The same car he must have used to pick up Ivy from the cemetery and assist in her escape. Freddie’s authority has completely dissolved for him to be acting like this.
“You’re mute, not deaf,” I grumble, finally catching up to him.
Bram doesn’t acknowledge us and carefully loads an unconscious Ivy into the backseat like a fragile ornament. Her eyes remain closed, sleeping soundly. He shuts the door and crosses his arms, acting like a human shield and blocking her from our view.
You’re not coming anywhere near her.
“Let me check that she’s still breathing,” I bargain. “I’m the only doctor here, or have you forgotten that I’m the only reason you’re still alive?”
He glances through the window, watching Ivy’s chest move up and down. She stirs in her sleep as if to make a point. Even while dreaming, she’s a pain in the arse. With Bram’s point made, he shakes his head. You stay away.
“Man, you’re pussy whipped,” I say. “You’re like her guard dog.”
Bram’s fists clench. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him fight, and I’m still itching for blood. Bring it on.
“Stop it,” Freddie says, joining the rest of us. He took his time. The old man’s showing his age now. “I’m guessing you heard about everything that happened in the crypt, Bram?”
Bram’s expression says it all. How could you have done that?
“Ivy’s no fucking angel,” I say. “She called the police and gave us a whole thirty seconds to dispose of a body.”
Bram snorts. Good fucking riddance.
“We—I—made a mistake,” Freddie admits. “A mistake I have to make right if you’ll let me.”
Bram shakes his head fiercely. That’s not good enough.
“Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?” Seb demands. “I go to a funeral, get kidnapped by Daisy and her boyfriend, then arrive here. What happened in that cemetery?”
“We’ve been too busy doing actual work to put out a memo,” I say sarcastically. “We can sit around and have a catch-up later, unless you’re down for another fight. The Killers Club or the police will be on their way. And, considering we left Spencer alive, I’m guessing violence is off the menu.”
“Shut it, Callen,” Seb hisses. “No one wants to hear your smart arse remarks.”
I rebuff, “On the contrary?—”
“Where are you going to take her, Bram?” Freddie interrupts. “I know you’re trying to keep her safe, but it’s a suicide mission, and both of you could end up dead. The only way we’ll get through this is by sticking together.”
Bram pauses, still furious about Freddie’s betrayal. He shakes his head. We’ll take our chances.
“Come on, Bram,” Freddie says. “You know you can’t protect her alone. Let us help you. It’s what’s best for her.”
Bram looks at Ivy’s sleeping figure, then nods curtly. I guess she isn’t getting rid of us after all. Although, when Sleeping Beauty wakes, she won’t be happy. We’re no Prince Charmings.