Page 169 of Seeds of Malice

The room erupts in applause again.

Avery helps Ivy off the mattress and slides her arm around her. She moves her off the stage, and Lilly follows.

Step two.

What am I doing?

My gut tightens, mixing with endorphins, and I don't know why I feel like this. This normally makes me beyond giddy.

"Are you going to puss out?" Bobby questions as if he can read my thoughts.

I scowl. "Of course I'm not going to puss out. Shut the fuck up," I bark and move through the crowd.

Bobby follows close on my heels, and we go up the stairs.

At the top, I glance around, but Ivy's not there. I have to give my sister credit. She knows our routine better than I do sometimes.

I nod at Bobby, and we move down the hall and into the den, not bothering to knock.

We walk in as Avery chirps, "That was perfect, Ivy. Really."

Ivy frets, "I don't know."

Bobby begins to clap. "That was perfection, you two. Good little sluts!"

Ivy looks at him in horror.

That's right. I'm the only one that gets to call you a slut,I think to myself in satisfaction. I love how she hates it when Bobby says it but loves it when I do.

"Do you need a minute?" Avery asks Ivy with concern in her expression.

Ivy arches her eyebrows. "A minute for what?"

"To move forward."

Ivy blinks hard, then glances at me. I rush over to her and tug her into my arms, stroking her back, gloating, "I'm so proud of you. You were amazing up there. So strong. Those bitches who said fail can eat shit."

She softly laughs.

I add, "I promise you, tonight's going to change your life forever."

"I-I..." she stutters, her lip quivering.

"I can't tell you how proud of you I am," I repeat, sliding my lips against hers.

She clings to me tightly.

I kiss her with everything I have, over and over again until her body melts against mine and she's whimpering. I murmur against her lips, "That's my baby girl. You looked fucking gorgeous up there."

She hesitates and asks, "You're not mad at me?"

I chuckle. "No, why would I be mad? You played that part perfectly."

"I did?"

"Yeah."

Her lips slowly curve. "I?—"

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