“No, you shouldn’t, Ivy.Today is for everyone here and that includes you and Charlotte.There is no reason for either one of you to hide away.You’re a great mom and one of the best women I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in my life.I don’t say that lightly because it takes a lot for me to let anyone in.My past makes it hard to trust anyone and it’s already bitten me in the butt once since I got rescued from my situation,” I tell her, not going into detail because Ivy already knows my story.
A few nights ago she found me sitting on the porch crying as I held the hoodie I took from Kreed.Oreo was at my feet, whimpering and it woke her and Beast up.They joined me and I explained everything to her.Ivy let me purge and then she held me close as I cried.Debbie has taught me that crying doesn’t mean they win because I’m showing emotion.It means everything is overwhelming me and that’s one of the ways my body purges all the emotions filling me.So, I cried while Ivy opened up about her own story and I know I’m the first person she’s completely opened up to.
“Okay.It’s just the people already here and your family, right?”she asks, a nervous edge to her voice because crowds make her anxious like they do with me.
“As far as I know.I was going to have Kreed here with me, but you know how that ended,” I tell her as Roger pulls up and I hear the distinct rumble of a bike following him.“Let me go see who’s here.”
I walk outside, leaving Ivy in the house with her daughter and the dogs to find Roger talking to someone wearing a Feral Dragons cut.I can’t tell who it is because his back is to me.My heart races in my chest because none of them should be here.I honestly have no clue why Roger would be talking to any of them when he knows what happened.
“Annistyn, what’s going on?”Roger asks me when he notices me on the porch watching him.The biker turns around and I realize it’s Manic.
“Why ishehere?”I question my cousin, completely ignoring Manic because he doesn’t deserve a second of my attention.
“We need extra security and the club is gonna cover it,” Roger answers as he steps closer to me.“I know you don’t wanna talk to any of them, but there was someone on the ranch last night, Annistyn.I think it’s Ivy’s ex and we have to protect Charlotte and her at all costs.”
“He was here?”I question Roger, still not looking at Manic.
“He was.Please don’t be upset about this.If I knew anyone else, none of them would be here.Viper is also on his way over.There will be three guys here at all times.You don’t have to talk to anyone and they all know that.They do have to meet Ivy and Charlotte though.One of them will be close to her at all times.I refuse to let either one of them be hurt by this asshole.Ivy has had enough,” Roger says as he steps up close to me on the porch and I take a few bags of ice for him.
“As long as they leave me alone, I’ll be okay,” I say as Manic remains on the ground, far away from me.
“We’re all really sorry, Annistyn.Kreed already chewed Viper a new ass and gave us permission to tell you what’s goin’ on,” Manic finally says as I turn to walk in the house.
“I don’t care.Whatever he does has nothing to do with me,” I state, letting the door close behind me as I find Ivy holding her daughter close and listening to our conversation.Fear fills her eyes as she looks at me and I take in how badly she’s shaking.“It’s okay, Ivy.These men will protect you.I might not like them right now, but that doesn’t mean they won’t keep you and Charlotte safe.You can trust them as far as that goes.”
“Okay,” she whispers while following Roger outside to meet Manic as I hear two more bikes pull up.
The last thing I want to do is see anyone from the club.However, I won’t ever put anyone’s safety at risk to ensure my feelings aren’t hurt.Ivy and Charlotte are important to me and if this is what she needs, I’ll suck it up and ignore anyone who’s here.
***
My entire family ishere and have been for the last two hours.Every single one of them gave me the biggest hug the second they saw me and I felt the love they already have for me.Roger’s mom, my aunt Virginia, didn’t want to let me go when she hugged me.She pulled back and told me I was the perfect combination of my parents.I have my dad’s hair and eyes and my mom’s fair skin and freckles.I didn’t even realize I had freckles because it’s not something I’ve ever paid attention to.There’s really no point in me staring at my reflection in the mirror.All of my cousins are really funny and tried to outdo one another in making me laugh with their stories and crazy antics.
Right now, I’m sitting between my aunt and uncle watching everyone around me.My cousins are all talking to everyone here with us today.What captures my attention is Ivy.She’s sitting with Manic as he holds Charlotte against his chest.The two of them are talking in hushed tones and I can see the interest in both of them.Picking up my camera, I snap pictures of everyone before my uncle David gets my attention.
“Honey, did Roger tell you I’m building a case against your mom’s family?”he asks me as I turn to look at him.
“He did.They deserve to rot in prison for the rest of their lives,” I answer him honestly because everything they did is criminal behavior.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Manic stop talking and pay attention to the conversation I’m having.This isn’t something he needs to concern himself with.
“Good.The only problem I see is you getting on the stand to testify against them.I know it won’t be easy for you, but it might have to happen,” he informs me as I lift Oreo in my arms as a source of comfort.
“Oh.Well, if that keeps them locked up so they can’t ever hurt anyone else, I’ll do it.Is there any way we can have no one else in the courtroom if I have to testify?”I ask, unsure if that’s even a thing allowed to happen.
“I can’t promise anything, Annistyn,” he says with a frown.
“Anni,” my aunt begins as I whip my head toward her.
“Please don’tevercall me that.My aunt used to call me that vile name.You can call me anything else you want as long as it’s not that,” I say, remembering times the horrible woman would scream out that name because I wasn’t doing what she wanted me to at that exact moment.
“I’m so sorry.I didn’t know,” Virginia says as everyone stares at me.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.I’m sorry.It’s just the first time I’ve really heard it since everything happened and it brought up a ton of memories.Not good ones.It’s something I’ve been working on, but that is one aspect of my past I haven’t had the chance to deal with yet,” I say, burying my face in Oreo’s soft fur as she snuggles deeper in my arms.It’s like she knows I need her in this moment and she’s giving me all the comfort I want.
“Why don’t we bring out the desserts?”Roger says, standing from his seat and directing the attention away from me.“Annistyn and Ivy made everything you’ve eaten today.Including all the desserts inside waiting for us.”
“Everything was really good,” Naomi praises us as she gets up to help Roger bring stuff out.
