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“We’re going to call Jason and get the restraining order dealt with. Then we’ll sue the fuck out of that bitch for defamation,” Rebel says as he swerves through traffic. “We’re going to take the photos to the cops and have Alec charged. As soon as Ivy is free from the psyche evaluation she can make a statement that the whole thing is bullshit.”
“No.” The shaking in my hands travels to my shoulders. “She hurt herself, Rebel. Really bad.”
“Or she was hurt.” He voices my own doubts.
“Most likely both. Regardless, there is no way I’m going to put any of this on her shoulders after last night. I won’t put her in front of the media.”
“Well, maybe not right away.” Summer lays a hand on Rebel’s arm. “Let’s give her some time to recov—”
“No.” I bite out the word. Guilt eats me when Summer stiffens. I close my eyes and try to calm myself. Try to breathe despite how my lungs want to seize.God, baby, how did we end up in such a mess?“I won’t lose her. And I won’t hurt her any more than I already have.”
“You didn’t,” Riot starts.
“I mean it. She can make a statement to the police if Alec is involved like I think he is. But then all she’ll be doing is working on recovering.”
“But—”
“It’s not negotiable,” I snap.
We all fall silent after that. I’m not in the mood to rehash it over and over with them. It’s final. I won’t do anything to jeopardize Ivy again.
It isn’t until we pass through the gates to the house that Rebel says, “What about Adira? If anyone can help refute the restraining order it’s him, right? He could tell the judge that you didn’t hurt Ivy. And he knows Nicole. As a character witness, he’s on our side.”
“Already had that thought,” I say. Adira knows how shady that family is, and Ivy trusts him more than anyone else. “But in case you didn’t notice, he isn’t here. Or answering his phone.”
“He took off,” Rebel says.
“You know where he is.” I glare at the back of his head. He knows about everything else. Why wouldn’t he know where Adira is as well?
“Not exactly.” He makes eye contact through the rearview mirror.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Ivy was keeping secrets from him too,” he admits.
“Because of you?”
“No. Maybe. It was about Alec.” He makes a face like he would prefer to choke than tell me anything. “Adira left the city to get his head on straight.”
“We have to find him.” Summer reaches over and places her hand on Rebel’s thigh like he needs the sympathy. But he should feel guilty. I want him to feel what I’m feeling because he kept shit from me that could have changed this entire outcome.
“We need to get him back here as soon as we can.”
Chapter Six
Rogue
Everyoneisinsidewhenwe enter the house. They must have headed straight here from the party while my brothers and Summer came to the hospital.
Rochelle jumps to her feet the second she sees us. Her arms wrap around me while her bodyguard Tex watches from where he’s posted himself near the window. “Are you okay? Ivy’s out of danger?”
“Surgery was successful if that’s what you mean.” My skin is too tight and hot and my chest is aching to explode. I untangle myself gently from her grip, far calmer on the outside than I am inside. “It’s been a rough night. I need a drink.”
“I’ve got you covered.” Bianca sashays away from the bar with a tumbler of amber liquid. Sympathy twists her mouth as she places it in my hand. “Anything you need. We’ve got you.”
“Yeah, man.” Ethan clasps my shoulder as Riot wraps an arm around Ro.
“Alec is there,” my twin says.
