Page 104 of Mace

When I finish showering, I head back to the bedroom with a towel wrapped around my waist. I expect Maylie to be awake, but she’s still out, and I don’t have the heart to wake her.

She doesn’t stir by the time I’m dressed, so I slip back out the room and find the kitchen.

I need coffee. I don’t have a lot of vices, but I’m addicted to caffeine. I can’t function without a mug of the shit, and I ain’t even fussy about what kind. Filtered, instant… I don’t care as long as it’s strong.

I hunt through the cupboards, finding what I need, and I’m just debating whether to phone something in for breakfast for us all when Ivy steps into the kitchen.

She stops in the doorway, as if uncertain if she should enter or not. “You want a coffee?” I ask, which seems to break through the ice enough for her to come and sit at the kitchen table.

“Sure.”

I make her a small cup, sliding it on the table and placing the carton of milk and pot of sugar in front of her.

Then I sit at the table. She eyes me, curious and maybe a little hesitant as she reaches for the milk. “Is Maylie okay?”

“Your sister is still sleeping.”

Ivy glances down at her mug, her brow furrowing. “I guess she must be pretty tired of having to carry my shit.” Her smile is wry and self-deprecating.

“I doubt that. She’s your sister, and she wants to take care of you.”

Ivy gives me a disbelieving look as she reaches for a teaspoon to stir her drink. “No one wants to deal with my crap, Mace. I don’t even want to deal with it.”

In this moment, she seems young, vulnerable, and it pisses me off that she is even in this position. I should have beaten Link harder.

“None of this is your fault. You were taken advantage of by someone who has far more power than you in the dynamic of that relationship.”

I can see she ain’t too keen on hearing that. “I treated my sister like crap.”

“Sweetheart, she forgave you the moment it happened. I’ve got a younger brother and two older siblings. They ain’t mine by blood, but they’re the only family I’ve really got. My sister is a bitch, and I mean that in the fucking nastiest possible way. Julie doesn’t understand anything about my lifestyle, and she blames me for our little brother joining the club.”

Ivy leans forward, curiosity burning in her eyes. “Was it your fault?”

I snort, taking a sip of my coffee. “If he hadn’t joined the club, he’d probably be in prison by now.”

“So, do you not like her?”

“I love her, Ivy. She’s family. I don’t like the way she treats me or Nate, but if she called me in trouble, I’d be there in a heartbeat, because that’s what family does. And you ain’t half as bad as Julie, so Maylie ain’t giving up on you.”

Tears prick her eyes, and I have a moment of panic that she might cry, but she seems to find her strength from somewhere and straightens her spine. “I was just really scared that Link would hurt her. He said if I ever told anyone what was happening, he’d…” She breaks off, closing her eyes. “I don’t want him to hurt my sister.”

“So, you decided the best thing to do was push her away?” I guess.

She nods. “I felt like I was drowning. Everything was out of my control, and I had no idea how to fix it. I was terrified of not doing what he wanted.”

“You never have to be scared again, Ivy. He’s not going to touch any of you.”

Her eyes lift, fear clouding them. “You don’t know him, Mace. He’s not going to let me go this easily. He’s completely insane, and he loves to control me. This isn’t over… not yet.”

“Hey, you’re safe. I’ll protect you,” I promise.

Her eyes soften as she presses a hand over her small, slightly rounded belly. “I know you’re only doing it because of Maylie, but I’m really grateful.” She sighs. “She really likes you. I’ve never seen her so happy before.”

“I really like her too.”

“She’s not like other people. She gives everything she has to the people she cares about. Please take care of her heart. It’s very easily broken.”

Inwardly, I smile at the warning from the tiny girl in front of me. “I’ve got no intention of hurting your sister, but warning received.”

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