Page 71 of Brightness

I shake my head, coming back to the conversation. “Yeah?”

“There’s something you should know,” Nycto states.

“Tell me.”

“Another package was delivered to the clubhouse…” I wait for the blow. “We opened it. This time, it was a timer. It has a countdown. Three days. Everyone here is on high alert. The clubhouse is on full lockdown while we figure out whether to leave or wait it out.”

Attempting to calm the now-raging headache blasting my skull, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Fuck, brother. I should be there helping, considering it’s my fault. I’m sure this is my father.”

“Figured as much. When Tony swore it wasn’t him, I knew straight away some asshole was coming after you. So, I did some digging and saw your father’s been released, but obviously, you’ve done your own research. I knew how you’d react to hearing the news, so that’s why I tried to keep it from you as long as I could, till I could figure out what the fuck to do about him.”

I glance over at Ivy in the kitchen, who’s oblivious to our conversation. She’s got her headphones on and is dancing away as she bakes something that smells fantastic. How she can be so carefree, while I sit here panicking about how this is all going to end, astounds me.

“I feel fucking useless sitting here doing nothing.”

“You’re keeping Ivy safe. That’s what matters right now. The rest is noise. Let us handle anything coming the club’s way.”

“Keep me in the loop. I want updates.”

“You got it. For now, spend time with your woman.”

I glimpse back at her. She now has her headphones off and is walking over with a tray of something I can’t quite make out.

“Nycto, be careful. You hear me?”

“You too, brother. You too.” He ends the call.

As I slide the cell across the table, Ivy places a tray in front of me. My eyes widen as cookies with something that looks like caramel in the middle come into view. Some are a little browner on the edges than the others. They’re not picture-perfect like Trixie would bake, but hell, they’re fucking good enough for me. “You made these… from scratch?”

She nods, wiping her hands down her pants. “They’re alfajores… Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies.”

“Dulce de what now?” I tilt my head.

She giggles, then picks one up and hands it to me. “Just try it.”

I take it from her, then pat the sofa next to me. “I just spoke to Nycto.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh?”

I take a bite, and the flavor explodes in my mouth.

Shit, my girl can cook.

“Fuck, Ivy, these are aweso—”

“Don’t change the subject. Tell me what’s going on.”

“The heart…” Ivy’s muscles tense, her hand moving to her chest like she’s preparing for the worst. “It wasn’t Dash.”

She clenches her eyes, letting out a long exhale. “Is he okay?”

I wrap my arm around her shoulder, pulling her to me, then kiss the top of her head. “Yeah. Nycto’s had contact with him. He’s fine.”

“But who…”

“The heart wasn’t even human.”

“Thank God.” She pulls back, searching my eyes. “There’s strain in your voice. You’re not telling me something.”

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