Chapter 11
Dos
Ileaned against the bathroom counter, arms crossed, watching Ivy as she wrapped a towel around herself. Steam still clung to her skin, her breath slightly uneven, but my mind was elsewhere.
"So, is that what you’ve been hiding from me?" My voice came out smoother than I expected, but I wasn’t sure if I was amused or annoyed.
Ivy glanced at me through damp lashes. "What are you talking about?"
I let out a dry chuckle. "Don’t play dumb, baby. You and Crystal." I tilted my head, studying her. "How long has that been going on?"
She shifted her weight, avoiding my gaze. "It’s not like that, Dos."
I pushed off the counter, stepping closer. "Like what? You two looked pretty comfortable in there." I reached out, tracing a slow line down her arm. "And what I don’t get is… why was yesterday the first time I got in on the action?"
Ivy rolled her eyes, pulling the towel tighter around her. "It wasn’t planned, okay? It just… happened."
I smirked. "That’s a convenient answer."
She sighed, running a hand through her damp hair. "It’s the truth. Crystal and I never planned anything. It’s just—when we’re together, sometimes things get… I don’t know, playful."
"Playful?" I repeated, arching a brow. "So, what, you just conveniently forgot to mention that ‘playfulness’ to me?"
Ivy’s jaw tightened. "Oh, don’t even start, Dos. You’re acting like you haven’t been keeping secrets yourself."
I narrowed my eyes. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
She scoffed. "You’ve been different lately—leaving at weird times, coming home later than usual, asking me about my whereabouts like you’re checking up on me." Her arms crossed defensively. "So, if we’re talking about hiding things, maybe you should answer some questions, too."
I let her words settle for a second before stepping even closer, my voice dropping. "Ivy, if I wanted to keep something from you, you’d never know about it."
She held my gaze, unblinking. "That’s exactly my point."
The tension between us thickened, unspoken things hanging heavy in the air. I studied her for a moment before exhaling, shaking my head. "You’re lucky I liked what I saw."
She smirked. "Yeah? And what exactly did you like?"
I ran a finger along her jaw, tilting her chin up. "I liked watching you let go. I liked seeing you lose yourself in it." My grip tightened slightly. "But next time, don’t make me an afterthought."
Her breath hitched. "Next time?"
I grinned. "Oh, yeah. There’s definitely gonna be a next time."
The bass from the music pulsed through the walls as I made my way to the back office. Even though it wasn’t my night to be at the club, I wasn’t about to sit at home, especially not after this morning’s conversation with Ivy, who was staying the night with Nana. Uno was behind his desk, eyes skimming over paperwork, but the moment he looked up and saw me, a smirk tugged at his lips.
"Didn’t expect to see you tonight, little bro. You lost or something?"
I leaned against the doorframe, matching his smirk. "Nah, just checking in. Wanted to see how things were running."
Uno chuckled, setting his pen down. "Stacy’s got it covered. You know that. Or are you just here to check on something—or someone—else?"
I shrugged, taking my time walking into the office. "Speaking of… how you and Crystal getting along?"
Uno arched a brow. "Crystal? She’s good. You know how she is—works the room, has a good time. But you already know that, didn’t you?"
I let out a low chuckle. "Yeah, she seems real comfortable up in VIP tonight. You must keep her happy."
Uno leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together. "I take care of mine. Just like I used to take care of Ivy." His smirk deepened. "But you already knew that too, didn’t you?"
I clenched my jaw for a split second before laughing it off. If only he knew just how well I’d been taking care of Ivy lately. Hell, he probably had an idea, but that didn’t mean I was about to let him get in my head.
"That was then, big bro," I said smoothly. "Ivy’s mine now. You just gotta deal with it."
Uno studied me for a moment before shaking his head with a chuckle. "You ever wonder why she ran from you before?"
I narrowed my eyes. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Uno exhaled, leaning forward on his desk. "Acting like you can control Ivy? That’s a losing game, man. Trust me—I learned that the hard way."
I crossed my arms, not liking where this was going. "Ivy’s not going anywhere."
Uno smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe, the tighter you hold on, the more she’ll want to slip through your fingers." He let the words hang in the air for a beat. "Sometimes, you gotta let a free bird soar, or you might just end up losing her all over again."
I let his words settle, but I wasn’t about to let him think he was right. "Ivy knows where home is," I said simply.
Uno nodded, but there was something in his eyes—like he knew something I didn’t. And that didn’t sit right with me.
I pushed off the desk. "Anyway, I got a drink waiting for me in VIP. You enjoy your night, bro."
Uno just chuckled as I walked out, but his words stuck with me longer than I wanted to admit. That nigga knew something, and Ivy was at the center of it.
The club was packed, the bass vibrating through the floor as I stepped out from the back. The front of the house was alive—music, drinks, and bodies moving in sync under dim neon lights. And right in the middle of it all was Crystal.
Damn.
She moved like she was made for this, hips rolling, arms lifted, a teasing smirk on her lips as she danced with no care in the world. Her red hair was wild, catching the glow of the club lights, and that body—dangerous as hell.
I watched for a moment, sipping my drink, letting my eyes roam over her curves. She must’ve felt me staring because she turned, locking eyes with me. That grin deepened as she crooked a finger, inviting me in. I set my glass down and walked onto the dance floor. As soon as I was close enough, she backed up, pressing that round ass against me, rolling her hips slow. My hands found her waist instinctively.
"Didn’t think I’d see you tonight," she teased, tilting her head back slightly.
"Didn’t think I’d end up here," I admitted, gripping her hips a little tighter as we moved together. "But I’m glad I did."
She chuckled, throwing an arm over my shoulder as she pressed in closer. "You always say the right things, don’t you?"
I leaned in, my lips brushing against her ear. "Only when I mean them."
Her body was warm against mine, moving perfectly, the heat between us undeniable. If anyone didn’t know better, they wouldn’t think we were just in-laws. The way her fingers dragged along my chest, the way my grip tightened around her waist—this was more than friendly.
But then my gaze lifted toward VIP.
Uno.
He was watching. I expected anger, maybe a scowl or a clenched jaw, but instead… he was smirking. That slow, knowing, sinister grin that made my stomach turn just a little. He wasn’t mad. He wasn’t about to storm down here and throw hands. No, he looked amused. Like he knew something I didn’t. Like he had a plan.
Crystal noticed my body stiffen and turned her head slightly. "What is it?"
I didn’t answer right away, my eyes still locked on Uno’s. The grin on his face told me everything I needed to know. He wasn’t mad. He would just get even.
I was making my way toward the exit, ready to put some distance between me and this club before I did something reckless. But, of course, Uno was right by the door, posted up like he owned the damn city, talking and laughing with a few partygoers.
As I stepped up, he glanced my way, his grin never fading. "You out for the night?"
"Yeah," I muttered, keeping it short. "Need to go handle business."
Uno cocked his head slightly, eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Business, huh?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "Man, I remember the last time I ‘handled business.’" His smirk deepened.
I clenched my jaw, willing myself not to react. That was exactly what he wanted—me to slip, to show him he was getting under my skin. Instead, I kept my expression even, my voice steady.
"You better handle the one you got," I shot back.
Uno laughed, rubbing his beard like he was considering my words. "Oh, I handle her just fine," he said smoothly, his voice laced with meaning. "Her and her friends."
That last part hit like a sucker punch, but I didn’t flinch.
Uno leaned in slightly, voice dropping just low enough for only me to hear. "It’s you, lil’ brother, that needs to lighten up before the situation handles you."
I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "Fuck you, nigga. I’m out."
His laughter followed me as I stepped out into the night, but I didn’t look back. My blood was boiling, but I refused to let him see it. I needed to clear my head. And I needed to get home.