Chapter 10 - Ivy #2
Cole never did this. Never bothered with aftercare. Would just roll over and go to sleep, leaving me to clean up myself. But Phoenix is different. Phoenix treats me like I matter. Like my comfort is important, like this was about more than just getting off.
When he's done, he climbs back into bed and pulls me against his chest. I curl into him, my head on his shoulder, our legs tangled together.
The rain has softened to a gentle patter against the windows, and the room smells like sex and sweat.
"Thank you," I whisper into the darkness.
"For what?"
"For making me feel human again. For reminding me that sex can be good. That I'm not broken."
Phoenix's arms tighten around me. "You were never broken, Ivy. Just hurt by someone who didn't deserve you. And for the record, that was the best sex I've ever had."
I tilt my head up to look at him. "Really?"
"Really." He brushes a strand of hair from my face. "Being with you, it's different. Better. Like everything finally makes sense."
I don't know what to say to that. Don't know how to articulate that I feel the same way, that these twenty-four hours with him have been better than two years with Cole.
So, instead, I just kiss him. Passionate and full of everything I can't put into words. When we break apart, Phoenix is smiling.
"Get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be complicated."
Tomorrow. When reality reasserts itself. When the Vipers might come. When we have to remember that this, whatever this is between us, exists in the middle of an impending war.
But for now, for tonight, we have this.
I close my eyes, safe in Phoenix's arms, and let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, everything will be okay.
Hours later…
The knocking jolts me awake.
Hard, urgent banging on the door that makes my heart jump into my throat.
I’m still wrapped in Phoenix's arms, safe in this small room, the scent of sex still lingering in the air. This shouldn't be happening already. We should have more time. I should be safe.
The knocking comes again, harder this time.
Phoenix wakes instantly, going from sleep to alert in a heartbeat. He rubs his eyes, then his hands curl into fists. I can see the shift happen: from the man who held me gently through the night to the president ready to fight.
"Who is it?" he calls, his voice hard.
"It's Judge." The voice on the other side of the door is serious. Tense. "We've got a situation."
Phoenix puts on his pants, moves to the door in three strides, but he doesn't open it yet. "Talk to me."
"Vipers are here. Four of them. Cole and three others. Demon's not with them, but Cole's demanding Ivy back. Says they're one hundred percent sure she's here."
Cole is here. Right now. Downstairs. I start trembling, my whole body shaking so hard the bed moves. I can't speak, can't breathe, can't think beyond the terror flooding my system.
He found me. He's going to take me back, and everything Phoenix promised—safety, protection, a chance at something better, it's all going to disappear.
Phoenix turns from the door, his eyes finding mine in the dim light. In two steps he's at the bed, his big hands cupping my face.
"Hey," he says, his voice gentle despite the urgency of the situation. "Look at me, Ivy. Look at me."
I force my eyes to focus on his face.
"You're safe here," he says, and his voice is absolutely certain. "No one will get to you. I promise you that. Cole is not taking you anywhere. Do you understand me?"
I want to believe him. Want to trust that promise.
But Cole is downstairs. Cole, who spent two years breaking me down, who knows exactly how to hurt me, who will do anything to get me back because letting me go would be admitting defeat.
"I promise," Phoenix repeats, his thumbs stroking my cheeks. "On everything I've built, on every brother in this club, on my own life, he doesn't touch you. Not today, not ever. You stay in this room. You lock the door behind me. And you trust that I will handle this."
I nod, not trusting my voice.
Phoenix leans forward and kisses my forehead. Then he's moving, pulling on his shirt, his boots, transforming before my eyes into the president of the Iron Phoenix.
He walks to the door and opens it.
Judge is standing there, and his eyes immediately go to me. Naked except for the sheet I've pulled up to cover myself, clearly terrified, obviously having spent the night with his president.
But Judge doesn't say a word. Doesn't comment, doesn't judge, doesn't react at all except for the slight tightening around his eyes.
"Stay with her," Phoenix says.
"No." Judge's voice is firm. "You need me down there. Brick can stay."
Phoenix hesitates for only a second, then nods. "Brick. Now."
Judge turns and calls down the hallway. Within seconds, the massive man I recognize from yesterday appears.
"Guard this door," Phoenix orders. "No one gets in except me or Judge. If anyone tries, you stop them. Understood?"
"Understood." Brick's voice is flat, professional. He doesn't even glance at me.
Phoenix looks at me one more time. "Lock the door behind us. Don't open it for anyone but me. I'll be back soon."
Then he and Judge are gone, their footsteps heavy on the stairs.
I'm left alone with Brick standing guard outside my door, the sound of raised voices drifting up from downstairs, and the terrible certainty that everything is about to change.