Page 88 of Recovering Ivy

“I love you, Ivy.”

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Ivy

Ivy

It had been a week since I had been taken, and Zane was being… distant. Not physically. He hasn’t let me out of his sight and every night when we get to bed he tucks me next to him and holds me close. And not necessarily emotionally either. He tells me he loves me every day. We had talked about the day I was taken. He was relentless until I told him every last detail I could remember. He’d taken me to his private physician and ordered him to give me a full work-up. It hadn’t mattered the poor man explained the benzonatate Sarah had given me would have no lasting side effect and it was nothing more than a cough suppressant. However, despite all that he was, something had changed in him. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I could feel it. He made me talk about my feelings but refused to tell me more than he had in the car the night he saved me. He admitted he was scared, too, but after that Zane had clammed up.

The worst part – the social mask of indifference was firmly in place. My heart was breaking. He’d never hid from me; I had always been different. Not now. He hadn’t smiled since that night. We slept next to each other every night, but he refused sex. He stalled my advances and made excuses. For seven days I’d laid myself bare and he’d rejected me. I fought every day to push back old habits, old insecurities, but without Zane’s reminders they were bubbling dangerously close to the surface.

Without Zane’s strength, I would fail. I knew it. Everything felt like it was spiraling out of control. I prayed I was strong enough to fight for us when Zane couldn’t. He deserved it. He needed a woman who could carry the load when he couldn’t, but I was scared as hell I wasn’t there yet. I wanted to be. I wanted my Zane back.

“That was beautiful, wasn’t it?” Olivia asked, stopping next to me.

I took in Jaxon and Violet’s backyard. It was already a beautiful oasis without all the wedding decorations. All the extras just made it more stunning. And Violet looked amazing in her strapless wedding dress. Declan had walked her down the aisle to an awaiting Jaxon. They didn’t have a bridal party because only family and close friends were invited. We all stood up for them. They agreed they wanted everyone they loved to be included in the ceremony.

“It was. I can’t believe they pulled all of this off so fast.” Two men I didn’t recognize walked by and joined two women at one of the tables that had been set up. They definitely weren’t at the ceremony. There was no way two men that hot could’ve gone unnoticed. “Who are they?” I whispered to Olivia.

She turned and looked around as her eyes landed on the group.

“Oh my God. Come on. I have to introduce you.” Olivia didn’t give me a chance to answer. She grabbed my hand and towed me behind her.

“Caroline,” Olivia exclaimed. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“Liv!” One of the women jumped up and pulled Olivia into an embrace before stepping back, holding her at arm’s length. A huge smile graced the pretty woman’s face. “Well, well, well, looks like I was right.” She winked at Olivia. “You look stunningly happy.” She nodded at Olivia’s baby bump.

The woman looked over to me, the smile not leaving her face. “Hi, I’m Caroline.”

She let go of Olivia and offered me an outstretched hand.

“Hi. Nice to meet you. I’m Ivy.”

“Sorry, where are my manners?” Olivia started. “This is Ivy, Zane’s woman. Ivy, this is Caroline and her husband, Matthew. This is Christopher and his wife, Alabama.”

“Hi.” I waved to the group as they all stood in greeting.

My gaze traveled up their strong, fit bodies and I wondered if they were in the same line of work as Zane. They had to be. Normal men didn’t carry themselves they way these guys did. Tall and broad and a little scary if I was being honest.

“How ya been, Hash?” Christopher asked.

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Will you ever let that go?”

“Once a nick is given, it’s yours.” The man smiled. “For life.”

“Great. Mind if we sit? My feet are killing me in these heels. But don’t tell Leo, he’ll make me go in the house and lie down.”

“Please.” Matthew said and pulled a chair out for her before Christopher did the same for me. After they got their wives situated, they finally sat.

Hot and had manners. Huh. Definitely the kind of men that Zane worked with.

“So. You’re the one,” Christopher said.

Oh, shit. Did they know? I’d never met any of Zane’s friends other than the team. The thought had never crossed my mind there were more people that cared about Zane and the type of woman he was with. If they knew about my past and what Sarah had done, they’d want better for their friend. They’d know I was too much trouble.

“Easy, Ivy, I meant you’re the woman who finally captured the elusive Viper’s attention. And from what we’ve heard, he doesn’t plan on letting you slip away,” he continued.

“Something you should know,” Alabama said as she leaned over. “The men in the group gossip more than the women.”