Page 154 of Thorns of Malice

I repeat, "It's not worth the risk right now."

"I just... Well, I don't know." She stares at the ceiling.

I shift closer and slide my arm around her. "You just what?"

She blinks hard, then confesses, "I do things, Dax. Things I'm not proud of. Things I hate myself for."

My stomach dives. I order, "Ivy, look at me."

She slowly shifts her gaze to me.

"Take CogniShift now. I know we're getting close to eliminating the side effects of NeuroZap. Let's take the first step and stop the progression before we do something that might not be reversible."

She releases an anxious breath. "Okay."

My adrenaline kicks in. "Okay, as in, you'll take CogniShift?"

"Yeah. Can we still do it tonight before I chicken out?"

"Why would you chicken out?"

She winces, then admits, "It's a drug. Drugs make me nervous after knowing I was given Trance."

I take a deep breath and then slowly release it. "I can understand that, but you're choosing to take this one. You've read all the research on it. This is your informed choice."

She's quiet for a minute, then nods. "Okay. But let's do it tonight, please."

"Sure. I have it in the safe in my room. I'm having you stay there anyway, so..." I grin.

She laughs. "Do you ever not get your way?"

I move my hand to her cheek and kiss her. I retreat and answer, "Yeah, I haven't had you for ten years."

Her smile stays on her face, and it's the only thing I want to see. I never want it to go away.

The server clears the plates. Then he sets a piece of Seducing Ivy pie on the table with two forks.

"Can I get you anything else?" Daniel asks.

"Ivy?" I ask, checking with her.

She shakes her head. "No, thank you."

"That'll be all, Daniel," I reply.

He leaves.

Ivy stares at the plate. Her lips twitch.

"What's amusing you, gorgeous?" I ask.

She points at the pie. "The gold crust has ivy leaves with diamonds sprinkled in it, and the filling is whore-red. Is nothing not on brand?"

I grin, informing her, "You can eat those diamonds. They aren't real."

She gapes at me and then laughs.

I take my fork, scoop up a bite of the pie, and hold it in front of her lips. "Try this, baby girl."

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