Page 110 of Seeds of Malice

Bobby leans closer to her. "If you want Avery to take her target off your back, you'll have to show everyone you can handle what she can. Then she can't talk. Drink up."

She bites her lip.

I refrain from speaking.

Bobby pressures, "Come on, don't prove Avery right. I know you have it in you to hang like the rest of us."

Normally, I'd approve of his help getting Ivy drunk. Tonight, something tells me it's wrong. It confuses me further.

Ivy grabs the shot and tosses it back. Her face scrunches like it did the first time. Then, to my surprise, she grabs Bobby's shot and takes his.

"Damn, girl!" Bobby praises.

Once she gets over the initial shock, she says, "There. You happy, now?"

He chuckles. "I guess I can tell Avery she's wrong about you."

"I guess you can," Ivy says, pride in her expression.

I wonder if my little innocent girl has more of a Greenwich attitude than I anticipated.

A smile erupts on her face. She giggles, and it grows so much her eyes tear.

"What's so funny?" I question.

She puts the back of her hand over her mouth and shrugs. "I don't know." She taps my nose and states, "You're adorable, you know that?"

Giddiness mixes with disapproval. My conflicting emotions frustrate me. I should be elated that the alcohol is hitting her so hard already. So why aren't I?

"I mean it, Dax Carrington. You're the sexiest man alive," she slurs.

"Oh, you are," Bobby agrees sarcastically.

I glare daggers at him and tug Ivy into me. "I think the alcohol is starting to get to you, baby girl. No more."

"Well, aren't you a party pooper," Bobby accuses.

"I mean it, Bobby. No more," I threaten.

His lips twitch.

"I'm only warning you once," I caution.

He narrows his eyes.

Anxiety balls in my chest, but I don't break away from his stare. I don't need Ivy so drunk she can't perform. I only need her loosened up.

He holds his hands up. "Alrighty, boss."

I tell Ivy, "I think we're done with the drinks for now."

Bobby shakes his head in disapproval. "You're getting weak, Dax."

"Oh well," I say, tired of Bobby and his antics.

He's only playing his role. I'm the one changing the game.

And why am I doing that?

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