Page 86 of Recovering Ivy

“Yes, she does. Pull the fuck over, Zane, and go to your woman. You need her,” Jaxon said from the back seat.

“That’s rich coming from you. You had Violet taken out of the country while you beat Ortega half to death before you gutted the bastard.”

“I did. Then I went straight to her.”

“I fucking can’t!” I yelled.

“Why not?”

“Because she’ll know who I am and what I do. She won’t be able to deny what I am. Then she’ll leave me.”

Both men were silent.

“She’ll leave me,” I repeated. “I can’t live with that.”

The sign for the truck stop mocked me as I approached. I couldn’t risk her not loving me. I promised her I’d keep her safe. I failed – again.

“Zane, listen to me. You have to go to her. I guarantee you need her right now just as much as she needs you,” Linc whispered.

The exit was coming up. All I had to do was switch lanes and I could pull Ivy into my arms.

“She loves you.” Jaxon placed his hand on my shoulder and for once the contact was welcome. Maybe they were right. All I needed was Ivy. She always quieted the guilt and demons. Not that I felt guilty for cutting that prick’s dick off and letting him bleed out, but there was something stirring so deep inside of me I couldn’t get it out.

I veered right and took the exit. The other SUV was parked around back, and I pulled next to it, not bothering to cut the engine. We wouldn’t be here long.

I exited the car the same time Declan climbed out of the back seat with Ivy cradled in his arms. Her pretty face was red from crying and she was wrapped in the motel blanket. Thank God, they’d thought to cover her before they left. In my anger I hadn’t seen them leave.

Without a word, Declan placed Ivy in my arms.

“Thank you,” she cried.

I went to my knees; Ivy’s arms wrapped around my neck and I buried my face in her hair. Her tiny body shook in my arms and I wondered for the thousandth time how I’d gotten so lucky that this strong, beautiful woman could ever love me.

“I love you,” I whispered, not taking my mouth away from her head.

I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t mad at me. We’d argued constantly about how over the top I was about her safety, a lotta fucking good that was. She’d been taken right out from under the protection I’d promised to provide.

“I should’ve been more careful.”

“Nothing is your fault, Ivy.”

Jax was right, I did need this. I needed to feel her weight in my arms, and her heartbeat close to mine. She was the cure.

I stood and took in the men surrounding us, providing cover so I could tend to my woman, each and everyone always having my six. No matter what, no matter where, no questions asked.

“Thank you.” Declan’s only acknowledgment was a chin lift before he climbed into the passenger seat of the SUV Leo was driving.

Jaxon held open the door to the back seat and shut it after I was situated with Ivy on my lap.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you, too, baby.”

“I was so scared.”

“Me, too.”

“You were?” Her eyes widened in shock.