Page 21 of Seeds of Malice

"Don't be silly. Let's go eat at my place away from these idiots," Dax suggests.

"You don't have to run away. I merely stated the truth. Didn't mean to offend," Avery claims.

Dax seethes, "Sure you did."

"No, I did not," she declares and stares at me. "Ivy, you didn't take offense, did you?"

My stomach flips. I did, but I'm not admitting that to her.

Dax interjects, "Of course she did."

"Why? She's not proud of her father working for us?" Avery suggests.

"That's not true!" I protest. My insides shake.

She adds, "We usually don't keep people around who aren't proud to be associated with the Carringtons."

My lungs tighten. My father's had a bad streak of employment since my mom disappeared. I don't need to ruin this for him. I blurt, "I never said that!"

Dax slides his arm around me. "Of course you didn't. Don't listen to her."

"I didn't," I mumble to him.

He tugs me tighter against him and picks up a plate of burgers, announcing, "Pool time's over."

"You're such a downer," Avery whines.

Bobby adds, "Pussy. Don't tap out."

But Dax ignores them, leading me toward the golf cart.

I grab my wrap off the lounger, more than ready to go. And I curse myself for putting my dad's job at risk.

We get to the golf cart, and Dax drives off in a different direction.

"Where are we going?" I question.

"My place."

"I think it's best if you take me home."

He glances at me. "Why would that be best?"

My stomach flips faster. "Today's been fun, but I don't need to do anything to get my dad fired. I think it's best if we don't hang out anymore."

Dax stops the cart. "Ivy, don't be ridiculous. Avery's a bitch. Don't let her get into your head."

"My father works really hard."

"No one is saying otherwise."

"He doesn't deserve to lose his job because of me."

Dax slides his hand on my cheek. "He's not losing his job, Ivy."

I blink hard, trying not to cry, upset that I'm so emotional.

Concern floods Dax's expression. "Ivy, you don't have to worry about this. I promise you that hanging out with my stupid siblings and me isn't going to ever jeopardize your father's career here."

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