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“This is her sister,” she says and the guys share a glance before nodding. One steps forward and holds his hand out.

“I’m Vernon and this is Adam.”

“Carly,” I reply, shaking his hand. “And this is my boyfriend, Chance.”

“Follow me,” Vernon says and I nod as he turns and starts walking away. When we get to the hallway, he turns back to look at us. “Knew as soon as I saw her she was in trouble. I’m just glad y’all were able to get here so quickly.”

“Me, too.”

He points down the hallway to a closed door. “She’s in there. Asked me to tell you to knock twice, wait a second, and then knock once more.”

“Thank you,” I say, grabbing his arm as he starts to turn away from me. I’ll forever be grateful to him. Who knows what would have happened if these people hadn’t stepped up to help Ivy.

“Don’t mention it. I just did what anyone else would do.”

I shake my head. “No, not anyone else. I’ll always remember what you did for us.”

He studies me for a second before nodding toward the door. “She’s waiting for you.”

I turn back to the door and release a breath before peeking over at Chance. “I think I should go in there alone.”

“That sounds good, Princess. I’ll wait out here.”

He gives me a quick kiss before releasing me. I stare at the closed door for another second before walking down the hallway and knocking twice. I wait a beat and knock again just before the door flies open.

“Carly,” Ivy sobs, throwing herself into my arms and I hold her tight, tears building in my eyes as I thank God she’s still safe.

“Are you okay?” I ask, pushing her away from me so I can see her face. Gasping, I cover my mouth at the bruise on her cheek and she shrugs my other hand off.

“It’s not as bad as it looks. I’m okay… really.”

“Baby, we can catch up later,” Chance calls from down the hallway and I turn to look at him, nodding. He’s right. We can’t be hanging around here.

“Baby?” Ivy asks, her brows shooting up and I roll my eyes as I tuck her under my arm.

“Now is so not the time, Vi, but I’m glad to see there’s still some fire left in you.”

Blaze walks back into the kitchen and meets my eyes. “It’s time to go.”

His eyes give away everything he doesn’t want to say and I know Julian is already on his way. He won’t give Ivy up without a fight, but neither will I.

“You got a back entrance?” Chance asks Vernon and he nods, pointing over his shoulder.

“Over that way.”

Blaze pulls his phone out and calls Smith, telling him to bring the van around the back. When he hangs up, he turns back to us.

“Just wait here a second. I’m gonna go make sure our friends out front aren’t causing any trouble.”

Ivy starts trembling in my arms and I rub my hand over her skin, trying to calm her down. “You doing okay?”

“I just want to get out of here,” she whispers. Chance meets my gaze, offering me a reassuring smile but I can’t bring myself to reciprocate. Ivy might be here right now but she’s not safe. Not until Julian is behind bars and out of her life for good.

“Let’s go, y’all,” Blaze calls, marching through the kitchen again with Logan on his heels. We follow them to the back entrance where Smith has the van parked. I help Ivy inside first before climbing in after her and Chance tosses his keys to Storm.

“Drive my truck for me, yeah?”

Logan nods. “Yeah, you got it.”