Page 27

There are two families vacationing together on our land, requesting a boat ride. Since none of them want to drive the boat, I offer to take them out onto the lake. While I maneuver the boat to a swimming area, they’re all sitting around, drinking juices aside from the men who are enjoying beers. They’re a fun bunch, and the children are cute as hell. It makes me think about having pups with Ivy. I kill the engine so they can swim. The men remain onboard while we assist the women and children into the water. For two hours, they swim, talk, and laugh, sometimes bringing me into the conversation. By the time we return, a couple of the children are fast asleep. Thanking me for a great time, I clear out the boat, and walk to the cabins.

Ivy, Kyle, and Declan are standing outside one of them, so I joke about them being slackers.

When I notice Ivy’s dried tears and their solemn faces, I’m on alert, especially when Declan says.

“We’ve gotta talk.”

I immediately take Ivy in my arms, checking her over for any injuries. She rubs my chest, knowing I’m worried.

My arms drape over her front, as I stand behind her and ask Declan.

“What’s up?”

“This conversation deserves privacy.”

There’s a familiar smell in Ivy’s hair. Flaring my nostrils, I demand.

“Why the fuck do I smell Ben on Ivy?”

They all glance at one another. Kyle’s standing with his arms crossed and I mind-link him.

What the fuck is going on?

We should all go to your house.

Kyle!

He breaks the link and I growl.

“Don’t you—”

Ivy swivels around to face me.

“Larc. Privacy.”

My eyes meet hers.

“Did Ben hurt you?”

“In private, love.”

She takes my hand.

“Come on. We’ll all go to the house. Can you get someone down here to finish preparing the cabins?”

My voice cracks as I say, “Yeah.”

I mind-link Tibald, ordering him to get someone down here ASAP, and for him to bring a golf cart. Since my house is a couple of miles away, I want to get there as fast as possible to find out what all the secrecy is about because my nerves are crackling. I’ve surmised Ben was here, but that’s about it.

The four of us ride the golf cart to my house, and Declan suggests we talk inside. This has the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Ivy’s hand slips under my shirt, caressing my chest and abs while I drive.

In the house, Kyle grabs some beers and joins us in the living room. Ivy gestures to the chaise lounge, cuddling next to me, her hand still touching my skin.

I bark out.

“All right. Spill.”

There’s a pause before Ivy explains what happened in the cabin. I zone out, only hearing, grabbed my neck, bent me over, and kicked my feet apart. I’m staring straight ahead, fingers digging into the chaise, claws extracting, and cutting holes into the armrests. My hard breaths have Ivy attempting to settle me down.

“Larc, look at me.”

My resolve is disintegrating, creating a tremor throughout my body. I lock my eyes with Ivy.

“I’m okay.”

“Okay? That motherfucker touched you. Grabbed your neck and tried to rape you.”

She smiles.

“Yes, but you forgot the part where I punched him in the jaw.”

“This isn’t funny, Ivy.”

My little sprite releases a heavy sigh.

“No, it isn’t. That’s why we’re here, talking about it without tempers blazing.”

Kyle cuts in.

“I arrived before anything happened. My threats were enough for him to scramble out of the cabin and scurry away. Him and his friends left the premises, and I informed the pack that they are never allowed access here.”

“How did he make it past the guards in the first place?”

“Come on, Larc. Not many people are aware of Ben Conway’s connection to Ivy.”

I run my hand down my face and my gaze falls back on Ivy.

“What did he say to you?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“The hell it doesn’t. That motherfucker—”

She straddles my lap, placing her hands on my chest and kissing the tip of my nose.

“Listen, love. We all know why he was here. There’s no reason to rehash it.”

Declan breaks the icy atmosphere.

“It wasn’t too long ago since we had a conversation about Ben Conway.”

“I shouldn’t have ever had that conversation with you.”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

My head snaps to him. “What?”

He sits back, takes a sip of his beer, and says.

“I’ve changed my mind. Ben is dangerous. From what I witness during our missions, and what he’s said to Ivy, he’ll stop at nothing, especially when he has corrupt government officials on his side. I’m not saying our entire government is corrupt, but we don’t know exactly who is part of Ben’s circle, or who is connected to the sex trade.”

I wrap my arms around Ivy, trapping her against my chest. The feel of her heartbeat next to mine is soothing. With Declan’s admission and my little sprite’s body near me, my rage diminishes.

Declan adds.

“Once I find out his schedule, and his plans to head to his cabin, I’ll contact you.”

“Are you sure about this? I mean, I get it. It is a moral dilemma.”

His eyes rest on Kyle’s, Ivy’s, and then mine.

“Every mission you risk your lives to save humans from trafficking. You saved my wife’s life. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.”

He clears his throat.

“So, yeah, I’m sure.”

“It will never lead back to you, Declan.”

He places his beer down and stands.

“I better get back to my family. Once I hear he’s heading to the cabin, I’ll let you know. The rest is up to you. And I don’t want to know when or how you’re going to do it.”

The door closes and the house grows quiet. We mull over everything that’s happened and what Declan offered. When Ben and his friends are at his cabin, through torture, I’ll find out the names of the others who hurt Ivy. Afterward, I’ll tear them all to shreds.