Page 28 of Ivy’s Poison

A couple of long weeks passed, and there was no word from Champ. Dad had special guests I had to attend to. They were invited to help search for the ‘Dark Bandit’ as Dad nicknamed Champ. Determined to figure out who he was, Dad questioned me over and over about the night in the bar. I kept my lie straight. “Dad, I overheard that waitress shoot him down, so I saw an opportunity to make you some cash. I followed him into the alley. He was more than willing. I had no idea who he was ‘til the hotel room. That’s why I called you.”

“He used you to get to me.”

At the time, I believed Dad to be paranoid due to his growing power. Having a twin—that only immediate club brothers knew about—made it possible for him to be in two places at once. Stain was becoming legendary in the biker world. Rumors started to spread about his ghostly speed at night, suddenly appearing at a different chapter after finishing a deal across the country the day before.

Champ had allowed himself to be captured for Jade’s sake. I had seen it in his expression when he surrendered at the sight of her. So, yeah, I felt Dad was wrong.

Outside, in the compound’s playground for family events, Beth and I sat on a bench and watched Jade play. The sun felt brilliant on my shoulders. No members were outside so it was peaceful. Beth told me, “He will call.”

“We don’t even know if he’s alive.”

“That bastard is too stubborn to die.”

I looked away. I didn’t want her seeing how badly I wanted my cell to ring. “Dad says Champ’s using me to get to him.”

“That’s only because Stain doesn’t know Champ’s yo’ baby daddy.”

Suddenly feeling a bit drained, I leaned my head back so the sun could touch every bit of my face.

“He’ll call, baby.”

“Stop saying that.”

“Why?”

I sat up straight. “You know why. I’m fighting to survive the life I have to live. If I don’t, what happens to Jade? My dad is not going to let me go. If I run, he’ll find me then kill her.” I sat back with the exhaustion that now owned me. “We’ve already been down this road.”

“Not with that deadly bastard on your side.”

“Deadly or not, he can’t fight all these assholes at once.”

Beth chuckled as if unstable. “Have you already forgotten that he did? And almost won?”

That brought a smirk to my lips. “Don’t that make you wonder who the hell he is? In that hotel room, he was a killing machine. Sting would’ve died had I not interfered.”

“And why did you stop him?”

“Beth! That’s my dad’s brother.”

She shrugged. “Honey, your dad and uncle are the worst of the worst.”

They were the worst of the worst and the best-kept secret. The elder bikers told me how it was hard when the boys were younger, being groomed for this takeover of sorts. One child was always hidden. As they got older, it became habit. I pitied their upbringing. “They’re my only blood, Beth.” I still didn’t want to admit my dad sold me to other men just to prove how ruthless he was. My body was abused for his gain in power.

She pointed to my daughter. “Nope. And how do they treat her? As a pawn—”

I raised my hands, begging her to stop. I still hoped, someday, they would show me the compassion I had for them.

She affectionately touched my shoulder. “At least, you are doing the right thing by getting her out of here. Champ? That man wants you. He will find a way to get you out of here.”

Exhaling regret, I stared at the building I had to enter soon. “Not before tonight.”

Beth grumbled, “Fucking Meth.”

“Dad, Sting, and most of the boys ride out tonight, searching for you know who. Meth has been left for that shipment and has ‘scheduled’ our fuck.”

“Well, he loves Jade. Maybe that will help how he treats you.”

“I’ll live through it. That I know. But he’s going to turn this into a grudge fuck. No doubt.”