Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
IVY
Ihelp Simone in the kitchen while the club gathers around her dining room table, discussing Milton as if he were a stranger. It doesn’t sit well with me.
“He shouldn’t have to out himself to protect me.” I mentally correct myself when I put my hand over my belly.
“You think he’s doing it for you?” Simone smiles as she pours water into the kettle and then flips the switch to start it.
“If not me, who?” I shake my head.
There isn’t anyone else here neck deep in trouble like I am.
“His heart.” She says it like I’m an idiot and then sighs when I frown.
“He’s protecting what he loves. His family, his club, his heart.
That’s you and the baby now. If I’ve learned anything from this club, it’s that their definition of love can’t be found in a dictionary.
When they fall, it’s fast and hard. No force of nature could tear them away from the ones they love.
If Skull claimed you, there isn’t a place on Earth he wouldn’t go to protect you.
” The kettle starts to whistle as I think over her words.
“He hasn’t said he loves me.” I must have said the words out loud because Simone giggles and points at the gathering in the next room.
“Does he have to? Maddox tells me actions speak louder than words. Is anyone else forming an army to protect you? Believe me, he loves you.” She grabs teacups and places them on a tray.
“Can you grab the kettle?” I nod and carefully pick it up, following her back to the dining room.
“So your full name is Weston Milton Blair III, a Scottish Earl, and that shit stain with the press was your brother?” Whip asks from where he’s leaning back in a chair with his arms crossed.
“Yes,” Milton is pinching the bridge of his nose and not looking at anyone.
“And Ivy here is in Witness Protection hiding from a Russian crime boss whose kid she’s carrying until she can testify in his trial?” Whip leans into the table and taps the wood twice while he waits for an answer.
“No.” The word is out of my mouth before I can stop it.
“What did he get wrong, Hen?” Milton finally looks up and finds me setting the kettle down on the table.
“Ivan is not the baby’s father,” I start to tell them my truth, but Mayhem interrupts.
“Damn right, he’s not. That’s Skull’s baby.” He nods as if it’s that easy to change DNA.
“That’s not what I meant.” I try to keep my voice even as I prepare to tell my very last secret.
“Ivy?” Milton comes around to where I’m standing.
“Ivan never once touched me in that manner. He sold me to others.” I swallow hard, trying not to fall into the void that is opening up at my feet, waiting patiently for me to jump in.
“Who?” Three letters have never felt so heavy.
I shake my head, not wanting to admit the truth, but I know I can’t run from this anymore. I have to face this, and if I can’t tell him, then how am I supposed to say it in front of Congress? Taking a deep breath, I look right into Milton’s eyes so he knows the very last thing I’m hiding.
“Vice President Wills.” Gasps erupt around us, but Milton doesn’t even blink.
“You’re saying that you were sold by a Russian mobster, then bought by and raped by the Vice President of the United States of America?” Whip asks slowly as I nod.
“Fuck,” Mayhem lets out a whistle, but I just stare into storm-gray eyes.
The color swirls as his pupils dilate.
“Say something,” I plead and reach for his hands, but he steps out of reach.
My lips start to wobble, and I turn to run, but he catches me around my middle and pulls me into his chest. I begin to struggle, but he places his hand around my throat and stops my movements instantly.
“Hen, stop fighting. I won’t hurt ya. I just need a moment to come to terms with this information.” I try to nod and bite my lip to keep the sobs I feel building in my chest from bubbling up.
“Simone, we need some privacy.” Milton sounds calm, but I can feel his body vibrating with rage.
“Take the basement. It’s a private suite and is all set up for you guys to stay in until this passes. Make yourselves at home. Nova said you know the code for the saferoom.” I’m lifted off the ground and carried to a door bride-style.
When the blackness of the stairwell starts to get to me, I bury my face into Milton’s chest and take big lungfuls of air that smell of him.
When he puts me on my feet and walks away, panic overtakes me. I’m alone in a dark room underground. A light flickers on, and then another. I stand and watch this man turn on every single light he can find before he turns back to stare at me.
“That enough, or should I ask Simone for more?” I burst into tears and fall to my knees, sobbing into my hands.
He doesn’t hate me.
“Why would I hate you? You are the bravest woman I’ve ever met.” He walks over to me, and instead of trying to pick me up or stand, he simply sits in front of me and offers me the hands he didn’t upstairs.
“Yo…oou bac..kked a…wway,” I stutter out.
“Aye, ‘cause I’m the worst person to love you right now with the world’s media trying to hunt me down. Not because I don’t love you.” I sniffle and look up at him.
“You love me?”