Page 26 of Venom
“Holy shit!” Ivy gasps while Eagle growls loudly, and I nod because yeah, I get it.
“Fucking bitches,” he curses, and I nod again as he snaps, “Surely they can’t think I’m stupid enough not to know the hours they do? That I won’t have you double-check my math?”
“They are,” I state, “and they are fucking done, the pair of them.”
I already wanted to kick the bitch out after I fucked up, and now I have my reason, thank fuck.
I look at Ivy, and I admit, “I sat with Raya for a while in silence. She didn’t want to speak. She just wanted to watch the sun rise, and I sat with until she got back in her car without a word and drove away.”
Ivy’s shoulders deflate, and concern hits me.
Why does Raya hate her birthday so much?
Eagle sighs as he shakes his head, then knocks on the bar twice, stating, “Guess I better get their asses out of the club,” before he stands and kisses my sister's cheek, who smiles widely at him as he walks through the empty nightclub.
The club is closed today for inventory. The staff is doing a deep clean while Trent goes through the alcohol for me, so I can get this done for Eagle before he goes back to watching my fucking mother.
I look back at Ivy as Eagle walks out of the door, shaking his head, and I tilt my head at her as she stares off, concern etched on her face.
“She’ll get in contact when she’s ready, little doll,” I say quietly, but she shakes her head as we lock eyes, hers tearing as she admits, “She’s never gone this long without speaking to me.”
Well, that is either a blatant lie or my sister is delusional. Raya went no contact after her fifteenth birthday. Ivy snuck out to attend her lavish party, and Dad brought her back in tears, then nothing - radio silence.
I frown and remind her, “That’s not true, Ives. What about in high school, and she disappeared for three months?”
Ivy flinches then whispers, “That was different. I was in contact with her mama the whole time. I knew she was okay.”
What the fuck?
“Ivy–” she cuts me off and states, “It isn’t my place to say, and I won’t break my trust with my best friend, even for my brother. That was a rough time in Raya’s life, Cale, so please respect that.”
I tilt my head, not breaking eye contact with my sister, something deep is underlying. She wants to open up to me, but she also doesn’t want to ruin her friendship. I can respect that, especially considering Raya has been Ivy’s rock this past year. Despite not wanting to attend the shithole wedding Mama tried to arrange, Raya was still the one to get Psycho out of his head and encourage him to intervene.
“Okay,” I finally say, knowing I’m going to get it out of Raya one way or another, well, that is after I get the balls to go see her.
Five days and not once have I seen her, five days since I allowed Mama to get in my head, and I fucked Angel raw. Granted I didn’t come, instead I went soft not that she is aware of that but still. I washed away what was left of Raya’s scent then spent the evening drowning my sorrows with a bottle of scotch and my one of my best friends, my Prez, sitting with me to make sure I’d be alright. He was the ear I needed as I confessed my sins, my love and yes he swore never to mention that day again and act dumb if someone brings me and Raya up.
The fucker calls four times a day just to confirm I haven’t fallen apart and decided pull a Viper and drive off on the open road.
I wouldn’t be able to be away that long from Raya. How he does it, I’ll never fucking know. He has to be itching to get back, but is probably too stubborn and thinks this is for the best for a while.
Idiot.
I clear my throat and look away from my sister, looking at the time sheet Eagle brought over, and I admit quietly, “There may be a reason why she’s taking longer to speak to you, Ives.” I take a deep breath, feeling her eyes on me, and I murmur, “We slept together five days ago.”
I don’t look at her, even as I feel her eyes burning holes in my head, I don’t look at her.
“You slept together?” she confirms quietly, something in her tone that I can’t make out, and I nod and confirm, “I did, but as soon as the emotions caught up with us, she shut down and walked away without a word. She regretted it instantly, Ivy.”
My heart races knowing I can’t keep this next bit of information from her, knowing Angel is now going to try and use the fact I fucked her raw to keep her job. Knowing my luck, she’ll claim she’s pregnant and Raya and I will never happen again.
“Mama showed up,” I admit, and look at her. Ivy’s eyes are wide, guilt shining in them, and I nod and confirm, “Yeah, she told me you ignored her calls. You didn’t tell me, or the club, heck, or even Psycho. What were you thinking, Ivy? She could try to harm Hudson!”
Ivy flinches, and I hate myself a little, but she needs to understand the danger her son is in with that woman around.
The only reason she’s alive is because she’s our mother, it’s why she got the choice to run.
“I was going to tell Jax tonight after I spoke to you. I didn’t want him to lose trust in me again. I just, everything has been so good, you know…” She whispers, and I sigh as I look back down at the paperwork.
