Page 29 of Darkness

“I’ll, ah… come back later.”

“Fine. Let me spill my heart out to you, then take off like it doesn’t matter,” she snaps. “Bastardo estúpido.” I don’t speak Spanish, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out she’s calling me a stupid bastard. And I am.

“It matters. Of course it matters. You’re stronger than I ever could have thought you would be. I’m the weak one here, Eva. It’s why I need to go.”

“Wait, what?”

“I’ll find somewhere else to sleep. Have a good night.” I turn, walking for the door.

“You’re leaving me alone in here? When will you be back?” Her desperation is only making this harder. “Nycto...”

I get to the door, and something hard slams into my back. I turn around and see a book at my feet.

Eva stands, her arms folded, glaring at me. “You’re going to walk out on me because you’re fucking scared? I’m scared too!”

“I’m putting distance between us because it’s needed.”

“Tú coño,” she yells. I know enough to know what that means.

Gritting my teeth, I glare at her. “Call me a pussy all you like, Eva. It doesn’t change the fact we need some space.”

Her top lip curls. “Says you.”

“Yes, says me. I’m the motherfucking President of Tampa Defiance MC, so what I say goes. You got that, chiquita?”

“Idiota! Get out. Out!”

I throw my hands up in frustration. “I’m fucking trying to. Jesus, woman.” I yank open the door and go to walk through when another book flies toward me, only to hit the wall beside my head. I slam the door just in time for another paperback to pelt against it where I had been standing. The bang resonates through the other side of the woodgrain as I thrust the key into the lock.

“Fucking stubborn, beautiful, obnoxious angel.”

Her audible groan echoes from inside, and I imagine Eva throwing herself onto the mattress in a huff. A slow smirk crosses my face as I turn to walk down to Ivy’s cell. More to catch up with my VP but also to check in on the mental state of Eva’s sister.

I bet she’s doing better than Eva, and I know I’m the cause of all Eva’s problems.

Good going, asshole.

Chapter Twelve

NYCTO

The echoes of laughter confuse me as I descend the stairs. I don’t see how there’s anything about this situation I’ve put us all in that warrants humor, so I storm over to the Cell, where Void sits at the breakfast table with Ivy, and he’s drawing some art for her.

He’s skilled in that department. Most of the guys here have had him sketch their tattoo designs, but I have no idea what he’s drawing that could be making Ivy laugh. I walk inside, and their heads pop up as he slides the paper over to Ivy like he’s trying to hide it from me.

Yeah, that shit’s not going to fly. This isn’t high school.

“What’s the drawing, VP?”

“Nothing, Pres. Just something to cheer Ivy up.”

“Ivy… show me the drawing, or I’ll lock you in the room and ban visitors.”

Void curls up his nose as Ivy slides the paper across the table. It’s a park bench. Ivy and Void are sitting on it, feeding ducks, with the sun shining down on them.

They’re free. Out in the world. Not trapped in here because of the mess I’ve created.

“Sorry, Pres, I know you hate the light. I was trying to make Ivy feel like there’s more than life down here.”

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