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“The staff have changed their cashier twice since we arrived, took her out, then later put her back in. I say her employment might be short-lived. There’re two exits, one at my three o’clock and another my seven.”
“Holy shit. How do you do that?” Ivy stared at me.
“They said you were observant,” John smiled, “but shit, I’m impressed.”
“Is it exhausting?” Ivy probed.
“It’s kept me alive.”
“That didn’t answer my question,” she shot back, and for a moment I forgot who I was answering. Her tone had a bit of an edge to it, and I could tell her annoyance with my lack of communication still simmered on the surface.
Mike and John sat still and silent as they tried to hide their amusement.
“Yes, it can be.” I took a deep breath and tried not to show the heaviness I carried inside. I didn’t want her to see it. I knew she’s taken it on. “But I can’t turn it off even if I wanted to.”
“Thank you.” She held my gaze for a beat. “I appreciate the answer.”
I felt the sting of her jab; it wasn’t subtle.
Zack came to the table to wish us a good night. Everyone headed back to the SUVs, and I felt my phone buzz again.
“Go ahead. I’ll be right there.” I waved them off and glanced down.
Moore: Murry says he’s got news about the day Brown was killed. I’ll be in touch.
I squeezed my eyes shut and hoped to hell that my old friend Murry had something we could use against Hill.
Ty: Copy that.
Once outside, I found Ivy had waited for me.
“I’m not supposed to stray far from you.” She shrugged.
“Right.” I shook my head and mentally kicked myself for letting that detail slip.
“Hey, baby, wanna check out my back seat?” One of the guys who’d been inside earlier laughed with his buddies.
“Hey,” she pulled my attention to her, “are you okay? You seem like you’re about to snap.”
“I’m fi—”
“Why don’t you walk that fine ass over this way?” I swung my head in his direction and saw red. Ivy stepped in front of me and grabbed my arms to stop me.
“Ty, don’t. They’re just drunk.”
“You got something to say, man?” He egged me on, and I heard Cole’s voice call out for the rest of the team. “Girl, come home with me, and I’ll show you the night of your dreams.”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Ivy pressed her hands to my vibrating chest, “Ty, look at me, please.” It took a huge effort to tear my gaze from his to hers. “They’re looking for a fight, you said it yourself, you saw them watching us in the restaurant. They’re drunk and looking for something to prove.”
“All good, Beckett?” Cole called.
I wanted to hurt them, feel my knuckles break their bones. The darkness that Hill brought out in me was wild—untamable, even—so it took a lot to pull back.
“Yeah.” I called, and Ivy sighed with relief. Cole and the guys backed off and headed for the SUVs. I could hear the catcalls and jibes of the men as we walked away from the fight.
“Come on.” I pulled her close and put my arm around her shoulder as we walked to join the others. My hand slid down over the bare skin on her back, and as we neared the side of the SUV, images of her pressed against it flooded my head. Cole stopped to help Catalina with something, so I took that moment to pull Ivy against me as I leaned against the car. It felt good but only increased the ache between my legs. I leaned down and brushed my lips around the shell of her ear.
“Lust is a bitch.” I repeated the words she’d used on me.
