Page 66 of Volatile

“Yeah well, you can forget about coming back now, Ivy,” her boss yelled out, and Jon issued him a silent, ‘fuck off.’

She could pummel him all she liked; he didn’t give a shit. She was getting out of this dump one way or another. There were a few whistles and catcalls as he made his way across the bar and out the door, making him even more determined to get her the fuck out of there forever.

Once they were near his car, he finally set her down. Her face was red and about to bust. She looked livid enough to flay him alive.

“What the hell?” She tugged on her hair, and he wanted to be the one doing that, damn it. “You fucking just got me fired.”

“Good.”

“Good?” she practically screamed. “What is wrong with you? What are you even doing here anyway?”

“Making sure you’re safe, and you obviously weren’t. That’s why I had to remove you, and I’m not going to apologize for it.”

She clenched her fists like she was about to coldcock him. “You’re not supposed to go around like a damn Neanderthal. You’re a professional. You can’t just act like this.”

“Ivy, I respect the hell out of you, but you have to know that when you’re in danger, I’ll act however I please.”

“You’re a therapist, for God’s sake. You’re supposed to be more civilized.”

“And I became a therapist by working construction. I haven’t lost the ability to knock down a few fucking walls if you’re behind them. When it comes to your safety, don’t expect me to hold back.”

“But I wasn’t in any danger!”

“And what about tomorrow, or the day after that? No. It’s too much of a risk.”

“Argh!” She jumped up and down. “You know I needed that job.”

“We’ll figure something out.”

“No, we aren’t going to do anything. You can’t just order me around. I know that’s your specialty and all, but I want nothing to do with it.”

“Damn it, Ivy. Just please come in the car and talk to me.”

“Or what? Or else you’ll make me? You can’t control me.”

“Ivy—”

“I bet that’s what Julia would do, huh? She’d bow to your every whim, and that’s what you want me to do.”

He gritted his teeth. She was taking this way too far. “This is not about Julia. It’s about us. And no, that’s not what I want you to do.”

She lowered to the ground in front of him. What the fuck?

“Is this what you like?” she yelled. “Is this what turns you on? Did Julia kneel down for you like a lowly servant?”

“Goddamnit, woman. Get up.”

She was fucking out of control and making a scene. He’d be damned if she was going to be someone else’s entertainment. He made a move to pull her up, and she darted aside, smacking her knees hard on the pavement and bowing her head.

“I bet you want to put one of those dog collars on me too, huh?”

“No, right now I’d rather gag you. Now get the fuck up, or I will pick you up.”

“Your wish is my command, Master.” She rose slowly, glaring at him the entire time.

He steadied his breath, needing to keep it together. “Now, for the last time, please sit in the car and have a civil conversation with me. That’s all I’m asking. After that you can leave, get in your own car, and go home. Will you do that for me?”

She sighed loudly. “Fine.”

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