Page 43 of Stolen Love

“So you want to kidnap Alec to send a message?” Riot nods. “Makes sense.”

“It’s time to respond in a language that she understands.” I narrow my gaze on my twin.

Rebel’s brows draw tightly together. “You saw her? When?”

“At the cemetery. She had someone watching the place. She made it very clear she won’t let anything or anybody get in her way.” Not me. Not Ivy. Not the law. I fill them in on everything that happened at the cemetery. And then the conversation with Adira. And the arrival of the key from Ivy’s dad.

"You don’t know what the key is for?”

“No clue. Ivy doesn’t remember seeing it before. And Adira was certain he hadn’t.”

“Do you think it will be enough to stop her?” Riot asks. “Alec for Ivy?”

“I think if she doesn’t back down when we send her photos of her pride and joy trussed up like a Christmas turkey then I don’t know how to stop her, except to put her in the ground.”

“Are we considering that?” Riot asks. “Because Summer’s brothers have those pigs.”

“Burke told me.” I nod.

“Do not entertain him,” Rebel points a disciplinary finger at Riot. “You might be inebriated. But he’s serious.”

“I’m serious too,” Riot says.

“Uh-huh.” Rebel brushes him off and turns on me. “Back to this key. Do you think it could be related to what Marty was working on? If we can—”

"We have no idea what Marty was doing and we may never know.” If only she’d given me more to go on. Then I might be able to walk away from this war with my soul unscathed. “And this key could be anything.”

“So we look into it,” Rebel says.

“Way ahead of you.” I tap my leg. “But if this is the only option I have—"

“No, it’s not.” Rebel shakes his head. “It’s literally the worst option. We’re not bad people. Not stone cold killers. I have to stop you there, brother. Before you do something you can’t come back from.”

“If the media could see us now.” Riot lifts his glass above his head.

“I’m just done with this war we’re locked in with the Hawthornes. Ivy’s…” My gaze connects with Rebel’s as I get to my feet. I’d almost saidpregnantand there’s a flare of realization that I’m keeping more from him in his eyes. “Ivy is my world, and I am done with my world being threatened.”

“Then we come up with a plan.” He stands too. “One that Marty would have come up with. One that she would be proud of. A plan that doesn’t leave your hands covered in blood, because that shit never goes away.”

“Do you think Marty would want them to get away with what they’re doing?” I stare him down.Because that’s what’s happening right now.I swallow around my guilt over getting her messed up in this in the first place.

And my hands have been stained with Ivy’s blood for weeks now.

Rebel scowls. “I think she’d want you to burn the Hawthornes and their world down to the ground after what they did to her. But I think she would want to do it the right way.”

“I don’t know if I can do that.” I wish it were that easy. But every which way I look I’m cornered. If it comes down to keeping Nicole from hurting Ivy, I’ll do whatever I have to.

Chapter Nineteen

Ivy

“Did you notice Summer wasn’t with them when we walked past just now? What do you suppose they’re talking about out there?” Dizzy rifles through the clothes in my wardrobe. “Do you think Rogue and his brothers will go after your mother? Or maybe kidnap your brother, now that he’s been released, and do unspeakable things to him. Do you think they’d let me go with them? I do love a good party.”

“No, it’s nothing like that. Rogue is a good man.” And the caffeine Dizzy put in her peppermint mocha latte was clearly too much if the speed at which she’s firing questions at me is anything to go by. Not to mention the questions she’s asking.

“Even good men have a breaking point.” Her back to me she pulls out a yellow dress with white daisies, smocking, and a collar. “Cute.”

What she’s talking about should be far-fetched, but after what Rogue said in the car about hiring a hitman to take out my mother, I have an inkling it’s not.

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