Page 63 of Disturbed Lucidity

“Ivy, there are no rules here. No judgments. I want to be your friend. I would like that very much. Why don’t you start with what happened tonight and we go from there?”

Nodding, I started speaking.

As the night progressed, the conversation deepened, and I couldn’t help but delve into my personal history, recounting tales of my disgusting childhood and also discussing the details of my so-called relationship with Luc. I didn’t know I could talk so much. Throughout the entire experience, Anne listened attentively, shed a few tears, experienced moments of anger, but overall, she showed a great deal of understanding and provided me with a safe space to express myself fully. When I finished, she paused for a moment, took a deep breath, slowly rose from her seat and then proceeded to say, “We need something stronger than lemonade. Want a whiskey?”

“Make mine a double, please.”

Watching as she poured the drinks, she began, “I’m familiar with hiding who you are, Ivy. It’s difficult to be someone you’re not, especially when our nature demands we be who we truly are. However, unlike me, you have the chance to start over. Be who you were meant to be all along. I’ve worked at the Disturbed clubhouse for almost a year now, and I can tell you those men will see right through you if you’re not careful. My advice, just be yourself.”

Handing me my drink, I frowned. “What if they don’t like the real me?”

“Then that’s their problem.” Anne smirked. “And as for Gina, she is going to push every button you have, until you stop her. You are going to have to dethrone the bitch. Take her crown and wear that shit proudly.”

“Gina, I can handle. It’s Luc who scares me.”

“Why?” Anne frowned.

I shrugged.

“Ivy, Luc would never do anything to hurt you. It isn’t in his nature. That man spent a good portion of his life fighting for this country, in situations that you or I will never understand. He did so without thought for his own safety. He did so honorably.”

“Slash told me he was in prison for killing someone.”

Anne looked at me and whispered, “Don’t always believe what you hear, Ivy.”

Sighing, I leaned back and moaned, “I’m just so damn confused.”

“With your past, I’m surprised you’re not institutionalized. Look, Ivy, I can’t imagine how you survived before you came here, but it’s a hell of a lot better than the alternate, because here, you have everyone wanting to help you. You just need to let us. Sweetie, it’s time to trust someone other than yourself.”

“Does that work both ways?”

“What do you mean?”

Looking at the pretty woman, I asked, “Is Anne even your real name?”

Anne sat there for the longest time. I started to worry that I overstepped my welcome when she took a deep breath and muttered, “No. Anne isn’t my real name.”

“Will you tell me what it is?”

“Aksana Baranov.”

“That’s a beautiful name, Anne.”

“It’s a name that will get me killed if the wrong people hear it, so please don’t tell anyone, Ivy. I can’t move again. Not when I’m so close to graduating nursing school.”

Reaching for her hand, I promised, “Your secret is safe with me.”

With the first light of dawn peeking through the sky, the cab I was riding in slowed its pace and finally came to a halt, conveniently dropping me off right outside my apartment building. Stepping out onto the street, I was greeted by the sight of the sun just cresting the horizon. When I handed the payment to the driver, I raised my eyes and spotted a stunning matte black Harley Davidson Low Rider positioned conveniently near the entrance of my building.

There was only one brother I knew who rode a bike like that.

Sighing, I entered the building and headed upstairs.

The sight that greeted me when I opened my door was none other than Luc, casually perched on my small couch, his unwavering gaze focused solely on me.

With a sigh, I shut the door, my words lingering in the quiet room. “A little early for a visit, isn’t it?”

“Where were you?”

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