Page 77 of Thorns of Malice

"Ivy, you know it's still there between us. It's always been there between us. It's always going to be there between us. Let's get past this and figure it out," he urges.

"There is no figuring it out. Now, move," I demand.

He hesitates.

"Now," I warn.

He takes a step back.

I unlock the door and fling it open.

He follows me. "Ivy."

I walk faster down the hall, trying to remember which way the staircase is until it comes into sight.

"Ivy," he repeats, but I'm not giving him any more of my time.

I shouldn't have slept with him. Then again, now he'll understand what it feels like to have someone you want, someone you love—even if he's lying again about his feelings toward me—walk out on you.

"Ivy!" he shouts.

I tromp down the stairs and turn at the bottom. "Which way is the office?"

He shuts his mouth, giving me a challenging stare.

"Now, Dax. Which way? Or I'm walking out of here naked."

He points. "That way."

I race down the hall, enter the office, and step inside. I freeze.

Lilly and Avery are playing tongue tag out on the couch.

Bobby's watching them as if they're his prey, drinking his scotch.

Bile climbs up my esophagus.

Everything about Bobby makes me nauseous. Flashbacks of him taking me from behind only worsen my reaction.

He sees me and rises. His gaze darts across my body, his lips curving. "Well, look who's back for some fun."

"Fuck off, Bobby," I fume, still pissed at Dax and forgetting I'm supposed to be playing the game. I glance around the room and find my dress. I go over to it, reach down, pick it up off the floor, and step into it. I don't bother to put on my bra and underwear. I grab my clutch off the table.

"What's the attitude for?" Bobby asks, coming closer until he's blocking my ability to move.

I reach back and slap him as hard as possible.

His face turns toward the wall. He slowly looks back at me, his eyes full of rage.

My insides tremble.

"Looks like I'm missing the fun," Professor Dyer interjects.

I don't tear my eyes off Bobby.

Dax steps between us, putting one hand on my hip and his other on Bobby's chest, pushing him away, warning, "Stay away from her."

"She just fucking hit me," Bobby whines.

---