Page 66 of Brightness

“It’s okay. I’m not mad, but I do need you to pack some shit. We’ll get on the road as soon as we can.”

“How long will we be gone?”

My muscles seize. “Sweet thing, I have no idea. I’m kinda winging this.”

A pained expression crosses her face. “I’ve only ever been apart from Eva when I went to Tony’s, and I don’t want to be away from her again.”

“Ivy… the threat is to you and me. I don’t know who it is, but the targets are clear. We need to get out of here. For your safety, and for Eva’s. We need to leave.”

She wipes under her eyes. “What do you mean? How do you know it’s for us both?”

“I received some packages as well. This last one was obviously aimed at you.” Rolling my shoulders, I exhale. “Seeing as whoever this is came for us both, we need to make the move and leave, for everyone’s safety.”

She scrunches up her face like this saddens her, but nods. “Okay. Can I at least say goodbye?”

I lean in, planting a kiss on her forehead. “We’re leaving in fifteen. You need to pack and be ready. You can say goodbye then.”

“Okay,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

“I’m gonna go pack. I’ll meet you upstairs once you’re done.” I lean in, pressing my lips to hers gently, then pull back.

She bobs her head in agreement, then stands and starts moving around her room. I rush to the stairs, making my way to my bedroom to grab my go-bag and some essential shit I know we’re going to need, including the small zipper-pouch of cash I have stashed behind my dresser.

I can’t help but think of what Ivy said. She hasn’t really been apart from Eva before.

I’m going to need to be a rock for Ivy through this.

I know I can do that.

I will always be a rock for Ivy.

Her cornerstone.

She may struggle with this, but my top priority is keeping her safe.

This threat, whatever it is, is coming for us both. I need to do whatever I can to keep her protected. Because if anything happened to her, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.

After packing my shit and placing a call to Hurricane at NOLA, I head out into the main bunker to see Ivy and Eva locked together in a tight embrace, tears streaming down both their faces.

Nycto stands by, ready to catch his Old Lady if she breaks.

I need to be there for Ivy if she does too.

Hoisting my duffle over my shoulder, I walk to them and place my hand on Ivy’s back to comfort her. “You ready to go?”

She cries, shaking her head. “Just another few minutes?”

Nycto reaches out, grabs Eva, and slowly pulls her away from Ivy.

Eva sobs so hard she can hardly control herself as she clings to Nycto like he’s her lifeline. “You fucking look after her, Void,” Eva warns. “You hear me? You fucking protect her!”

I wrap my arm around Ivy, and she cuddles into my side. “With my life,” I reply.

“You know the drill,” Nycto states.

“I do. I’ll signal when we arrive.”

“Take some cash. You can’t use any plastic in your travels.”

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