It went all the way up to Ivy’s hip, like I knew he’d want it to. Oberi was with me, in her unicorn form and strutting about. She had insisted I make something special for her too, so I’d fashioned her a glittering red cape from the same fabric as Ivy’s dress. She pranced around with her head thrown upward, like she was a queen in her castle. She stepped on the edge of her cape and stumbled forward, before righting herself with an embarrassed snort. I laughed.
Chancey sat at one of the nightclub tables, watching Ivy strut around as if he was drawn to him like a magnet. The look on his face was definitely desirous.
“What do you think, Chance?” Ivy struck a pose in front of the angel. “Do you think it’ll draw attention?”
Chancey’s lips upturned. “You look pretty amazing, doll face.”
Ivy gave a sassy grin, and Chancey’s face flushed, like he wanted to pounce on Ivy right then and there.
Chancey had turned from doing highly illegal things at the prison, toslightly lessillegal things by helping Ivy get ready for the nightclub’s big launch. I was very proud of him. I think Chancey was using the fight club to convince the guards to look the other way, when it came to Ivy. He was clearing pulling strings with the establishment to make Ivy happy.
“The Devil’s Playground should be finished by the end of the semester,” Ivy said smartly. “I can’twaitto start taking in new clients. I’m gonna be raking it in.”
“Why can’t you run the club and not sleep with anybody?” Chancey growled. His previously bright eyes had turned dark, and there was definitely a jealous undertone to his words.
“I mean, that would befine, but I’d be taking a huge profit cut,” Ivy said. “Selling booze and tickets to the club would be a lot less profitable than being an escort for guards and prisoners.”
Chancey let out an angry breath. “So what we’re doing doesn’t matter.”
“Don’t take it that way. It’s just business,” Ivy said with a casual shrug.
“Yeah, right, business,” Chancey snapped. “I get it. Money is what’s important.”
Ivy’s mouth dropped open. “Chance.”
“I don’t want to hear it, Ives.” Chancey got up and shoved away from the table. His shoulders were hunched as he walked away and out of the room.
“What the hell’s the matter with him?” Ivy asked, jerking a thumb at the door.
“Isn’t it obvious?” I asked. “He’s pissed off at the thought of you sleeping with other people.”
“But it’s myjob!” Ivy whined.
“It doesn’t have to be,” I argued. “Everyone starts over at the Institute. You can reinvent yourself.”
Ivy’s eye twitched. “Well, if he wanted anythingmore,he should speak up. Before I change my mind. I’ve got a lot of options, all of them willing to pad my wallet.”
“It’s not just about that, is it?” I asked.
Ivy was quiet for a moment before he said, “When I showed up at the Institute, Chancey and I had an understanding. It worked well for both of us. He got off, and I got paid.”
“But it turned into something more,” I said.
Ivy sighed. “Iwantthere to be,” he confessed. “But I don’t think he feels the same.”
“Of course he does. He’s smitten with you.”
“I don’t think so.” Ivy shook his head. “You know, I haven’t taken on another client since I got here. Chancey’s the only person I’ve been with. But I broke the cardinal rule. I let my feelings get involved with the guy who’s paying me.”
“That’s not a bad thing, in this situation,” I insisted.
“He’s literally my second chance,” Ivy whispered, and his eyes got misty. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost him. And I don’t mean anything to him. I’m just his whore.”
“That’s not true,” I insisted. “Ask him to be your boyfriend! I know he’ll give you the answer you want.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because he loves you, Ivy. It’s plain to see when he’s looking into your eyes.”
