Page 23 of Ivy and the Deathstalkers

KC holds my eyes, daring me to contradict him. I don’t.

DJ stands next to him. He’s a couple shorter than KC, but he stares him down. I catch the moment both men's scorpions come to the surface. Their brown eyes shift to a tone of greenish blue—almost neon. KC’s are more green, whereas DJ’s remind me of the Mediterranean Sea when the sun hits it just so.

I look around, noticing all the guys are over six feet. Neo being the shortest at six-two. Jax is easily six-six. All have brown eyes ranging from reddish brown to honey-colored. I see very little else.

Before I think better I say what's on my mind, “You lied to me.”

That gets all of their attention and those brown eyes swing my way. Whatever DJ and KC were ready to shift over has been pushed aside. All six seem to flash an array of neon greenish color. It unnerves me a bit. I shift from where I'm leaning on the counter. Placing my hand under the counter to feel the blade strapped there. It helps me calm myself a bit.

KC speaks up, “Excuse me? About what? We have barely spoken.”

I cross my ankles trying to look more relaxed. When, to be honest, I'm ready to shit myself. I say, “You lied.” They all growl slightly. Note to self, they don't like being called liars.

Ok, it's on. My fear goes out the window and I stand to my full height. I’m still the shortest by a few inches, but I’m not standing for all this fucking growling bullshit. “First off this ismyhouse, my haven. Any of you fuckers shift, I swear to the goddess, I will remove body parts from each of you and add to my collection. So keep your scorpions in check. Got it?”

Jax the fucker smiles a big toothy smile. It causes me to shudder as goosebumps run up my spine. His baritone voice is smooth and silky. “Understood. But explain why you called us liars. Our scorpions don't like it.”

Squaring my shoulders I step up to him. I look him over closely. His well-defined arms covered in scorpion and bike tats. The stubble on his face that matches his almost black hair that is cut in a high and tight.

Then those eyes. I stare into their whiskey-colored depths. Swallowing, I step back and face KC. “You six arenotbrothers. I’d say not even cousins. Yes, you all have similar aspects, but other than being deathstalkers, you're not related.”

washes over all six of their faces. Neo bursts out laughing. “Holy fuck. She's not only beautiful but smart as fuck. She figured that out in less than five minutes.”

Jax and KC both slap him in the back of the head. KC looks from me to the bottle of Crown I sat on the counter. Glad I didn't grab the good stuff. I sigh and turn around to open the cabinet and grab seven tumblers. Filling each halfway. Then I turn back to them.

Suddenly the realization hits me. I put my back to strangers and didn't feel antsy. I know they won't hurt me. They must see my because Jax growls.

Ok I've had it. I step up, grab his nuts and say, “Calm your ass down, tiny.”

The shock is short-lived. They all burst out laughing and I can't help but join in as I release his impressive crotch.

“Ok… now that she has broken the ice and maybe Jax. Can we sit and talk?” KC asks.

Grabbing my glass I head for my favorite chair. “Grab the two bar stools. A couple of you will still have to stand or whatever. I don't have… guests.” I glare at them. A reminder that they’re not in fact welcome guests.

They have the decency to look slightly apologetic for how tonight went down. Most of them at least. Neo doesn’t look the least bit repentant. That one’s going to be a handful. Beck, Cree, and Neo take a seat on the couch across from me. DJ sits on a dining room chair. Jax leans against the wall by the hall door to the outside. On guard? KC spins his chair, sitting with his arms over the back, evaluating me.

I quirk a brow.

As I sit, Kelly slithers over the back of the chair and around my neck. I instantly relax. I smile at the guys as they look between each other and me. “Emotional support snake.” I shrug again and smile.

Cree, I believe his name is easiest to keep straight. He’s the only one with hair past his shoulders. It's tied back with a leatherstrap. I want to run my hands through those auburn locks.What the fuck.He says, “That's a… it's ah…”

I laugh. “Yes, Kelly here is one of the most deadly snakes but not to me. She's my friend. We respect each other.”

“Interesting.” Cree says, “But I have to know. if you’re toxic or venomous to others. Why not your um pets?”

I scrunch up my face. Thinking. “Honestly, I don't know why. Only time one of my pets has died was a Brazilian wandering spider who bit me and wouldn't let go. Never had another latch on so maybe for them it's quantity.” I shrug.

“That's an interesting thought. But we know you're not toxic to us, on the contrary, you are a um…” Cree stammers.

I glare at Jax. “Oh my goddess, you told them!”

They all snort or laugh. Jax just grins an evil grin.

“Ok, back to the matter at hand,” KC says before I can stab Jax. “You're right. We’re not brothers in blood. However, we would give our last drop of blood for each other. In our book that makes us brothers.”

I nod. “Ok. So not a lie then. So, now that I've had a minute to absorb what you said… My name is Ivy… By your colors, you're the Deathstalker MC club and the patches tell me you’re all officers. But gimme some more info on you all.” I shrug, “I'm a details type of girl.”

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