“I understand. But I promise I’m going to fix it, Firefly.”
“I miss you,” she breathed huskily. “I swear it wouldn’t hurt so much if we were together.” The pain in her voice cut me like a scalpel.
“Soon, we’ll be together,” I vowed. “I’ve sold the boat. I’m investing the money in Dyson’s venture, but I’m saving some as well. Ivy, use the money I gave you. Just tell me if you need more. I’m so sorry.”
“That’s great news, Karson,” she said, sounding tired. “Sorry, I’m just in a bit of shock.”
I wanted to be there, to ease the burden Karlos had inflicted. To hold her, to feel her against me. “I love you, Firefly. Don’t forget that.”
“I love you too. So much.”
“Ivy, we’re going to get through this. That’s a promise.”
“I hope you’re right. But I have to go now. Let’s talk later.” She hung up after we said goodbye.
Rage surged through me. I couldn’t take this anymore, not when he kept hurting Ivy like this. I was going to put a stop to his madness. Escape his control…
And protect Ivy from his reach.
***
IVY
A wall of sticky, French fry–scented air hit me as I pushed open the door to Sizzling Hot.
The stale heat enveloped me as I walked over to the counter, swiping hot beads of sweat from my forehead.
So, that’s why this place is called Sizzling Hot.A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.
The staff carried trays of food and drinks through the rows of tables, wearing black hot pants andmatching crop tops.
A girl who fit the description Sass gave me—dark wavy hair, brown eyes, and tanned skin—flashed me a bright smile. “Hey, what can I get ya?”
“Hi, I’m looking for Miki,” I replied, returning her smile.
“That’s me! You must be the girl Sass was telling me about. She said you might drop by. Ivy, right?”
“I am.” I nodded. “Good to meet you.”
“Same.” Her gaze rested on me as she wiped down a table. “So, you need some work?”
“Yeah, I’m between jobs right now. If you have something, that’d be amazing.”
“You sure you want to work here?” Her eyes creased at the corners as she smiled. “I don’t. I’m just here until I finish my diploma. But I get that there aren’t a lot of jobs around at the moment. There are always far too many applicants for the ones that come up.”
“Exactly. And I need to pay my rent, so if you have anything, I’ll take it.” I crossed my fingers behind my back.
“Dan, the manager here, is really nice. He isn’t in today, but I told him you might come in. He agreed to give you a trial.”
“That’s great! Thank you so much.”
“All good, babe, but one girl just called in sick.” She tilted her head. “Any chance you could start now?”
I opened my mouth to agree when she signaled me to follow her and stepped into the storeroom behind the counter.
“These should fit.” She tossed me some hot pants and a crop top. “You can get changed in the bathroom.” We walked out of the storeroom. “I’ll meet you back out here and show you the ropes. And thanks, Ivy, you’re getting me out of a bind here.”
I smiled and inspected the uniform more closely. It was tiny. But I’d walked countless runways in a bikini for a living. I could handle this.
