I'm safe.
Thank god.
I smiled at her instant response, like she'd been holding her phone. It shouldn't have made me feel the way it did, but I couldn't help it. Ivy had become too important to me, and knowing she cared just as much was everything to me.
Where are you?
Meredith's estate. Putting together baby furniture with the girls
Safe?
Very. Security everywhere. Pretty sure I saw someone in the bushes with a sniper rifle
Good
That's your idea of good?
My idea of good is you breathing. Everything else is negotiable
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
I'm glad you're okay
Me too
I pocketed my phone and headed for my car. Ivan fell into step beside me, mercifully silent for once. My mind was already planning the evening. Shower first. Change clothes. Maybe pick up flowers, though that felt too small for what I needed to say.
I'd killed many people today. Would probably kill more before this alliance fully stabilized. That was the reality of the world I'd brought Ivy into, the life I was offering her whether she wanted it or not.
But I'd also saved her life. Protected her. And I'd keep doing that for as long as she let me.
The drive back to my hotel passed in a blur. Ivan peeled off to coordinate with the rest of our people while I took the elevator up to my floor. Inside my room, I stripped off my tactical gear and stepped into the shower, letting hot water wash away the day's violence.
My phone sat on the bathroom counter. I watched it through the glass shower door, willing it to light up with another message from Ivy.
It did.
When will you be here?
I grabbed a towel and typed one-handed.
45 minutes. Need to clean up
Okay. I'll wait
Three simple words, but they meant everything.
I dressed quickly. Dark jeans, black henley, jacket to conceal the holster I wasn't stupid enough to go anywhere without. The flowers idea still felt inadequate, but I stopped at a shop anyway on the drive over. Came out with something the florist assured me was romantic. Looked like red and white chaos to me, but what did I know?
The Donati estate sprawled behind its gates like something out of a movie. Security waved me through after a brief check, professional but thorough. I appreciated that. It meant they were taking Ivy's safety seriously.
I parked near the main house. My phone buzzed.
How far off are you?
I'm here.
20
