Page 112

I nod, my smile feeling more strained. “Yes, well, I still have a boyfriend and he’ll be here any minute.”

As the words leave my mouth, the bell over the door rings and Chance walks in, looking every bit the sexy biker in his jeans and leather jacket. I fight back a smile.

“Hey, Princess,” he whispers, grinning as he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into a kiss that cranks the temperature of the room up a few degrees.

“Hey,” I say, breathless as he pulls away. Damian clears his throat and I jump, glancing over at him as I fight back a smile at his sour expression. I’m pretty sure he’s got the message now.

“Your coffee is ready,” he snaps, pointing to the barista as she holds the hot cup out in front of her.

“Thanks, Bud,” Chance says, squaring his shoulders a little bit, making it clear to me, at least, that he remembers Damian from dinner a few weeks ago. Chance hands a twenty to the barista and takes my coffee from her. “Keep the change.”

She beams and thanks him as we walk away from the counter. He leads me to a table in the corner and slides into the booth next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

“What’s the fucking deal with that guy?” he asks, glancing over his shoulder to watch Damian storm out of the café, his expression murderous.

“I’m pretty sure my mother tried to play matchmaker like always and he’s not accepting rejection very well.”

“Fucking prick,” he growls, his gaze locked on Damian as he pulls away in his expensive sports car. Before I can say anything else, Rosie pulls in to one of the open spaces in front of the café. We watch her walk in and she spots us in the corner. She turns toward the counter and I hold my breath as she orders a coffee. After paying, she tentatively walks toward our table and slides into the booth across from us.

“Thanks for coming, Rosie.”

She nods. “Of course, but I already told you I can’t help you.”

“How is Ivy?” I ask.

“Okay.”

I nod. “Has he hurt her again?”

“Not that I can see but Mr. Henshaw is smart and would hide it under her clothes if he had.”

I’d been afraid of exactly that ever since I saw the bruise tucked under her shirt. “And how is she emotionally?”

“As well as can be expected, I think. She’s quiet and most of the time, she stays up in her room.”

I quirk a brow. “Her room? She doesn’t sleep in Julian’s room?”

“Please, I can’t be talking about these things. Mr. Henshaw will ruin my life if he ever finds out I was here talking to you.”

I reach across the table and lay my hand on hers. “I understand, Rosie. And I know you’re reluctant to help us, but I think you may be the only one who can.”

“There has to be someone else,” she whispers, her eyes widening and all the color draining from her face.

“There isn’t. I probably couldn’t even make it to the door and who else would be able to slip her this?” I set the burner phone on the table and her gaze drops to it.

“What is she going to do with that?”

I release a breath, relief coursing through me. At least she’s considering it. “Tell her she has to look for an opportunity to get away from the guards and all she has to do is call any number on this phone and we will drop everything to come get her.”

“She can’t get away from the guards. They follow her everywhere.”

Chance squeezes me to his side and leans forward. “Rosie, there has to be a moment when they let their guards down and she needs to seize it. She can’t overthink it and freeze up. If she wants to get away, this is how we have to do it. We’ve gone over everything and this is the only way.”

She blows out a breath, covering her forehead with her hand as she stares down at the phone and I can practically feel her fear from across the table. “I don’t know if I can.”

“Please, Rosie. Do you have a sister?”

“Yes,” she says, nodding. “Two.”

“What would you do to save them if they were in danger?”

“Anything.”

I nod. “Me, too. I would do anything to save Ivy, but this is my only option. I’m counting on you and Ivy needs you. Please.”

She lifts her gaze from the phone to look at me before glancing at Chance. Finally, she nods. “Okay. I’ll get it to her.”

“Thank you,” I practically sob as I grab her hand again.

“Make sure you tell her everything we told you, okay?” Chance stresses and Rosie nods.

“I will but I have to go now.”

I hand her the phone and she slips it into her pocket before grabbing her coffee and rushing out as she scans the café. We watch her climb into her car and drive away before I turn to Chance and bury my head in his neck.

“It’s gonna be okay, baby. This is going to work.”

I pray to God that he’s right.