Page 91 of Recovering Ivy

“Why?” The other woman chuckled.

“You’ve come a long way from the woman you were when we first met – the one that barely spoke. I’m proud to call you friend.”

“It’s not only Christopher who helped me become who I am. It’s because of you, too.”

Alabama wrapped her arm around Caroline’s shoulder and I was both jealous and happy for them. I’d never had a friend like Caroline.

33

Zane

“Any word on Sarah Long?” Wolf asked.

Just the mention of that bitch’s name had me seeing red.

“No. Tex and Garrett are still working on it. Ivy said she walked out of the motel room with ten grand. It might take a while for her to resurface.”

“Pleased you got to her in time,” he continued.

Had I? She might not have been raped, but she was still violated.

“Wanna tell me why your woman closed down when you came to the table?” I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying something to Abe I’d regret. He was a friend, and a good man.

“I don’t think…”

“You’re right. You’re not thinking.”

“Abe,” I warned.

“Calling it like I see it, Viper. From what I’ve heard, you found yourself a spunky doesn’t-take-shit-from-anyone woman. The woman I met out there is far from that. You approached, and she pulled into herself. She was unsure, skittish, and shy. Far cry from the stories I’ve been hearing about how she puts you in your place when you try to boss her around.”

I looked around the room trying to figure out whose ass I needed to kick for gossiping with the other men. Interestingly enough, none of my men looked guilty. They looked pissed.

“My woman is not your concern. I appreciate the help you all offered when she was taken. But your commentary isn’t welcome.”

“Too fucking bad,” Leo spoke up. “Wanna know what I just walked into? Alabama trying to stop Ivy from bolting.”

“What the fuck?”

Ivy was planning on leaving? And she wasn’t going to tell me.

“She thinks she doesn’t deserve your sorry ass. She’s ready to cut and run so you’ll be free to find someone worthy of you.”

“Worthy of me? I don’t deserve her. I promised her I would protect her from that cunt. I told her she’d be safe to be breathe easy and be happy. I let her down.”

“Is that why you won’t touch her?”

My anger spiked to an all-time high.

“You’re getting ready to cross a line you won’t recover from,” I told Leo.

“Fuck the line, Viper. If you’re the kind of man who blames a woman for being violated, then you are not the man I’ve always respected. You’re not the man I would gladly give my life for. Why won’t you touch your woman?”

I looked at Linc. His jaw was clenched, his arms were crossed over his chest, and his gaze was knowing.

“Tell them, brother. Tell them while I know you hold her through the night you won’t fuck her.” I was going to beat my brother’s ass for disrespecting Ivy. “Come on, Viper, tell us why you won’t fuck your woman,” he mocked.

God-fucking-dammit.