Page 57 of Thorns of Malice

I rarely feel threatened. It's only happened a few times in my life. Avery is usually behind it, but it's rare.

"What's it going to be, Dax? Are you going to prove to me you love me and give me what I want? Or are you going to be a prude? Because this dirty whore that you created has needs, lots of them, and you have to decide. So make your choice. Do you love me or not?"

"Of course I love you. I'm not lying. I do. You're the only person I've ever loved," I declare.

The same look I used to see on Ivy's face when I told her I loved her emerges. But it quickly disappears.

"I do love you. I've never stopped," I firmly assert.

Her eyes glisten. She strokes my cheek and lowers her voice. "Yeah? Then prove it to me."

11

Ivy

Dax gapes at me.

I've never seen him speechless before. I'm starting to appreciate it. For once, I have power over him.

Every time he says he loves me, my heart bleeds, but I know it can't be true. What he did wasn't love. When he used me, there was nothing but maliciousness attached to it.

I step out of the bathroom, leaving him behind.

Lilly and Avery sit next to each other, making out. Bobby's kneeling next to them, his hands on their thighs, drooling. Professor Dyer's sitting in a chair, sipping his drink, playing with his cock while watching them.

"Same Bobby as always," I say.

He stills and turns his head.

Avery and Lilly part, their lips twitching.

"You've never seen us make out before," Lilly states, then giggles and adds, "Are you going to join us?"

Avery grabs her glass from the table, takes a swig, and sets it down. She stumbles up and saunters over to me.

My heart beats faster.

Did she really drug me?

I was prepared for Bobby but not Avery. Even though I knew it was possible, I think I was in denial since I thought she was my friend ten years ago. And I know now it was all an act, but I still gave her the benefit of the doubt.

I have to stop being stupid. All of them are evil.

Is Lilly?

I also thought Dax was the love of my life.

I beat myself up a little more. How could I have been so naive to think Dax was my love story? I was a fool back then. I had no business believing Dax Carrington was my soul mate and we would be together forever. I was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. I should have listened to my father instead of believing Dax would always worship and adore me.

We weren't real.

He says he loves me.

He doesn't.

Avery puts her hand on my breast, but all I feel is disgust. She slurs, "Ivy, do you want to play?"

She's not who I remember. The Avery I knew was confident and intoxicating, not a slurring drunk. She was always in control, even when she drank, and I wonder how she's gotten like this.

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