“Maybe,” Velle mumbles. “Maybe not…”
“I called my dad,” I whisper, because I can’t hold it in any longer.
I’m not sure how Velle is going to react to this.He might be fucking pissed…
Sure enough, he freezes, face whipping in my direction. “You didwhat?”
Gulp.“I, um… Well, technically I texted him. But… yea. I reached out.” Velle is quiet. Just gaping at me. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t know what else to do. We need help.”
“And you think The Ivory is gonna let your father anywhere near this island?” He rasps. “Especially now??”
“Velle, it’smydad.” I roll my eyes. “He’s not an idiot. He can find a way—”
“No. Absolutely not.” He sits up fast, rubbing his eyes.
“Why not—”
“I willnotput your family in danger!” He barks, quietly, but still. There’s enough bite that I shut right up. “Either of you.” He looks to both of us. “You got that?? Neither of your families are getting involved, because that’s just more leverage, and he already has enough on me.”
Rook and I share a look. He swallows visibly.
He means us.
He’s weaker… because he loves us. And The Ivory knows that.
“Okay.” I nod, rubbing his arm. “I’ll tell him not to come.”
Velle nods, exhaling hard. “I’m sorry, Cherry, I just…can’t. I’m already on edge thinking about him using you two to hurt me. I won’t have him using your families too. In fact, I think we need to start arranging some security. Or maybe… your parents might need to leave town,” he says to Rook. “At least until we figure out how to—”
Rook stops his words with his lips. I have to bury my face in Velle’s side because I’m afraid I’ll break down.
I hate this. I hate…feelings. So many of them, all tied to this.Love.
Velle has every right to be afraid now, just like I am, just like Harley is. Because it’s not just us alone anymore…
We’re in love with each other. And lovedoesmake you weak.
It’s just a fact.
“I love you,” Rook hums, reaching over Velle’s abs to take my hand in his. “Both of you.”
Velle’s dark blue eyes flick to mine, and I can see it, shining brighter than the moon reflecting off the ocean.
He loves us too. And because of that, for the first time in over ten years, he’s fucking terrified.
Evicted.
We areevicted.
That prick actually kicked us out of our own home; where we’ve lived for the last ten-plus years.The only home we have, mind you!
I’m not sure where the asshole expects us to sleep and store our shit, but I’m assuming it’s one of those,don’t give a fuck not my problemtype scenarios.
Months have passed on this island, and they’ve somehow both vanished before our eyes and dragged on and on like a really boring movie with no ending. We’ve adapted to the new normal as best we can, coexisting in a world where we’ve been replaced at jobs where we were basically tenured.
Reduced to grunt work. From top dogs to fucking rodents.And it’s all thanks to him.
It barely seemed feasible that The Ivory would bring in cartel guys to replace us. When it first happened, I held out hope that we could adjust. But things have gotten progressively worse, with no sign of stopping.
