Page 16 of Brightness

“We should discuss this as a club, Ivy,” I blurt out.

Ivy returns to me, grabbing my hands in hers. “Void, I understand you want to protect me, but I can’t let an innocent girl suffer when I can help. Plus, it’s only a transfusion. It’s not like they’re going to kill me for it.”

I scoff. “They might.”

“We won’t,” Matteo states.

“Ivy’s blood is rare,” Tony offers. “We need Mia to get well and live a long, happy life. No harm will come to either of them, not while Mia is alive. If you help us with Mia and be there when we call, we will return the favor. We will protect them, at all costs. This is our deal.”

Nycto glances at me, raising a brow.

Everything in me screams not to agree, but it’s a good fucking deal. If the DeLucas are putting themselves on the line to protect Ivy and Eva, and all we have to do in return is give a little blood and show up to protect Mia, then I guess it’s a fair trade.

I give Nycto a subtle nod, and he walks over to Tony. “All three girls are safe in this,” Nycto clarifies.

“All three,” Tony reassures.

“Does this mean we’re in alliance? The DeLucas and Tampa Defiance?” Nycto asks.

Tony bows his head. “If Ivy comes with us willingly, then yes, we are at an understanding.”

Nycto’s eyes shift to mine. He’s testing the waters, seeing where I sit with this deal. An alliance with the DeLucas is huge, but putting Ivy in danger churns my stomach. The idea of her going with them has me on edge. I turn to her, and she smiles.

“I’ll go, as long as I get to come back to the clubhouse. I’m not staying with you indefinitely, Tony,” Ivy asserts.

There’s that fire I adore so fucking much.

“Fine. You come with us… alone. Today. You donate. We bring you back. Simple as that.”

“Not simple. She’s not going alone,” I blurt, my skin crawling at the thought of no one being there to protect her.

Ivy grips my hand tighter. “I’ll be fine. They need me, Void. They won’t hurt me.”

“Yeah, but what about after they take your blood?” I whisper in her ear.

The corner of her lips creeps up infinitesimally. “This isn’t a one-time thing. Why do you think they’re making this alliance? It’s because they anticipate needing me in the future. This is the deal, Void. I’m Mia’s very own personal blood bank. They’re not going to risk anything happening to me… for Mia’s sake.”

Matteo shrugs in agreement. “She’s right. We do need her,” Matteo mumbles, his voice becoming strained.

“I go with her,” I say. “I won’t have her going on her own. We might be in an alliance, but I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.”

Tony huffs out a grunt. “I’ll take a prospect. No one else. No offense, Vicepresidente, but having one of the heads of the MC table in my home doesn’t sit right with me. Not yet.”

“Then she doesn’t go. End of discus—”

“Void… I have to go. Not only for Mia, but for the alliance. You know it’s true.” Ivy’s tight grip on my bicep tells me she’s not messing about right now.

My muscles clench as I grit my teeth. Bartering with mafiosos isn’t my finest hour, but at least this way, someone will be with Ivy. A prospect who will take care of her, even if that person irritates the hell out of me. “Dash… it has to be Dash. Dash will go.”

Ivy’s eyes meet mine. There’s understanding in them. She knows I only want to protect her, but also how hard it is for me to send her with Dash.

Dash steps forward hesitantly, a little unsure of himself. My narrowed eyes meet his, and he nods, letting me know he’s got this. If anyone will put themselves on the line for Ivy, I know it will be Dash.

He cares about her.

He’s the only choice.

Nycto walks over to Tony, holding out his hand. They shake, and Tony claps Nycto on the shoulder.

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