as far as I’m concerned, we’re taking this shit fucking slow. We need to.”
Nycto bobs his head in understanding. “I get it, your past makes relationships difficult for you at the best of times. Ivy’s throwing a wrench into the mix being the way she is.”
“You got that right.”
“How are you? You sore?”
My hand instinctively moves to my ribs. “Nerve thinks I might have broken a rib or two.”
“Good. Maybe it will remind you of how much of a fucking idiot you were. If you ever, and I mean ever, pull a stunt like this agai—”
“Got it! You don’t need to tell me. I got lost in my own head. I wanted to… I dunno, disappear for a while. Not have to deal with shit. Real life, you know?”
“I know… we’ve all been there, but wasting ourselves isn’t the fucking answer. And sure as shit nearly killing yourself isn’t either. Without you, I’d have to promote Whiskey to VP, and fuck knows how that would go.”
I chuckle. “It’d be a party every night.”
“And every damn day.” Nycto takes a deep breath. “In all honesty, I’m happy you’re okay, brother. But you also know I can’t let this go unpunished. You’re on shine duty for the next month.”
I go to argue, but quickly realize I deserve it. Cleaning everyone’s rides is a prospect’s job. “Yeah, fair call.”
“You start tomorrow. Take today to rest. You’re lucky I’m in a good mood, this is a damn light punishment.”
He’s right. I could’ve been given something much, much worse. But then again, I’m sure my brothers’ scrutiny as I slave over their rides, while the prospects stand back observing me do their dirty work, is going to be fucking torture enough.
Maybe it is the perfect amount of punishment, or should I say fucking torment.
Nycto stands, turning to walk for the door. “Eva told me to give you a message...” I raise my brow. “She said hurt Ivy, you’ll have her to deal with. You upset Eva, you’ll have me to deal with. So, mull that shit over in your mind a little before you lose control, VP.”
Starting something with Ivy makes my stomach flip. If I fuck up, if I hurt her, it’s not just Ivy on the line—it’s my patch.
I can read between the lines.
I hear what my prez is putting down.
If I fuck up, and it’s too fucking big, Nycto won’t hesitate to show me the door.
He’ll choose his Ol’ Lady’s wishes over me every single time, and Eva is a package deal with her sister.
Ivy has the power to destroy me.
She is this perfect, precious cargo, who came off a ship all beautifully gift wrapped. She was innocent, sweet, and yet, there’s something so tantalizing about her that pulled me in, right from the start—there’s a glimmer of darkness there.
I can’t tell what’s going to happen between Ivy and me, but I do know, if it doesn’t turn out just right, one of us is going to end up fighting for survival, and honestly, I’m not sure anymore which one of us it will be.
Chapter Eleven
IVY
Four Days Later
Void’s stronger than I give him credit for. He took one day to recover from his accident, but since then, he’s been up and about. Sure, he winces in pain, but he’s getting shit done.
Like cleaning the bikes—a lot.
I assume the brothers are making them extra dirty as his punishment. I have to admit, standing back watching him, with his shirt off as he scrubs the shining chrome, it does something for me.
While we’ve shared a few passionate kisses here and there over the last four days since our earth-shattering first kiss, he hasn’t laid a single finger on me, not in any way to move this along. It’s like he’s scared. It’s so frustrating. All I want is for him to rip my clothes off and ravish me, but he won’t.
Sighing, I sink into my seat as I stare at his toned ass. He’s standing at the bar talking to Nycto and my sister as I gnaw on my bottom lip, just thinking.
Pepper slides in beside me, sporting a giant smirk. “If you stare any harder, your eyes will fall out of your face.”
“But he’s so good to look at.” I giggle.
Pepper turns, glancing at Void with a shrug. “Yeah, true, but if you want things to move quicker, then maybe you need to make the first move. Void has certain… um, tastes, and if he’s scared to go there with you, the only