Page 17 of Brightness

“Perfecto. Now we are settled, let’s be on our way. We have a four-hour drive to Miami—”

“You look after them like they’re a part of your own fucking family, Tony,” I demand. “Any harm comes to either Ivy or Dash, and we won’t hesitate in starting an all-out fucking war. And trust me when I say, the first target we hunt down will be Mia.”

“Understood. We’ll bring Ivy and Dash back tomorrow evening. I’ll keep in touch, Nycto. Make you aware of what’s happening.”

“Make sure you do.”

“It’s hard for me not being in charge of this situation,” Tony continues, “but I do appreciate you helping us out. My famiglia thanks your MC.”

Nycto dips his chin as I pull Ivy to me in a tight embrace, pain searing through my chest like I can’t breathe. Ivy’s hands smooth up and down my back under my cut in a calming manner as I cling to her. I’m anything but fucking calm.

“Stop. I’m going to be fine,” she whispers in my ear.

Pulling back slightly, I stare into her gorgeous chocolate-brown eyes. They’re so calm, so stoic, while I stand here, ready to fucking explode. “You call me the second you feel something’s off,” I tell her. “I’ll be on my bike and there faster than you know.”

She smiles weakly. “You’ll be four hours away. If anything happens, you’ll be too far to do much. But Dash will be with me. I’m sure he won’t let anything happen. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

She didn’t mean for it to sting quite like that, but fuck, it did. Dash is going to be there for her, not me, and there’s not a damn fucking thing I can do about it. Why the hell didn’t I choose West?

“Be safe. Listen to your gut instinct,” I tell her.

Ivy’s lips turn upward. “Always do.” She leans in, plants a light kiss on my cheek, then turns to grab Dash’s hand, and they both step toward the Audis.

“Matteo,” I call out. He lifts his chin in answer. “Touch her in any way, I’ll fucking kill you.”

Matteo chuckles. “Putting all your cards on show is stupid. Anyone here can see what… or who… your weakness is, and your enemies can use her to their advantage. You need to rein in your emotions. Just a word of advice, brother.”

“I’m not your fucking brother. And was that a threat?”

“Not a threat…” Matteo smirks. “Purely an observation. Keep your emotions in check when she’s around, or people will use her against you. I speak from experience.”

I raise my brow in curiosity, but Matteo spins, then heads for the car without another word.

Tony exhales, cracking his neck to the side. “The thing is, Vicepresidente, Matteo is complicated. His past… well, you remind me of him a few years ago. We will get your woman back to you. In one piece. Alive and well. You have my word.”

Nycto grabs my shoulder as I exhale. “That’s all I ask.”

“I’ll wait to hear from you, Tony,” Nycto adds. “Regular updates. We’re nonnegotiable on this. You hear me?”

Tony dips his head in acknowledgment, then walks back to the car he vacated and glides inside.

As Ivy and Dash slide into the back of an Audi, I keep watching. The door closes behind her, then the car reverses away from the clubhouse gates, and I know there’s little I can do now.

My feet are restless with the urge to chase after her, but the car turns, drives off onto the main road, and then out of sight, taking Ivy and Dash with them.

Did I just let Ivy go with a prospect—the same prospect who’s been vying for her affections?

What the fuck have I done?

Chapter Five

IVY

The four-hour drive to Miami should have felt long—tedious, even—but to be honest, it’s been nice. I’ve been able to see parts of America I would have never been able to on my own. Dash has been making me laugh the whole way, keeping me entertained and my mind off the idea that I’m going to have blood drained from me in a short while. But in all honesty, if I’m going to be saving a little girl’s life, then I’ll do it weekly if it means she gets to live.

Dash’s stomach growls loudly, and I grin.

“You ever not hungry?” I ask.

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