I expel a long breath through my mouth as I let it all sink in.
Tony steps up to my side, reaching out for my hand. “Ivy, thank you for coming here of your own volition. I will never be sorry that I purchased you and had you taken from your home because I need that blood in your veins. However, you are a decent woman, and I will give you one chance to walk away before I change my mind.”
My eyes widen as I let out a gasp. “You’ll let me leave? Even though it’s detrimental to Mia?”
Amalia scowls, folding her arms over her chest. “Antonio, what are you doing?”
Tony exhales. “There is a caveat, but I won’t tell you what it is before you make your decision. Stay of your own free will, or you can leave.”
“I don’t know what your so-called caveat is, Tony, and I am sure it’s not good. But I’m not walking away from Mia. I am doing this.”
Tony smiles, then signals to the medical team.
They start fluttering around, setting everything up.
“Excellent. I know you and Eva suffered a nightmare when you were taken, but you both seem to have found your feet in Tampa.”
When I think about the bunker-style clubhouse, and the brothers, the club girls, everyone there who makes it my home, warmth floods through me. I have never felt like I belong somewhere more in my life.
“The clubhouse is my home. I can’t imagine being anywhere else than at the bunker with my sister.”
Tony gestures to the bed.
With anxious steps, I walk over and sit, as a cocky expression lights his face.
“It’s a good thing you chose to stay then because my caveat would have been to take your sister instead.”
Chapter Six
IVY
Sucking on my straw, the tang of the orange juice hits my tastebuds, refreshing my dry mouth. I have to admit I’m a little dizzy, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
“Are you feeling all right?” Tony asks.
“Accomplished. I really hope this helps, Tony.”
Amalia wipes under her eyes again. I smile at her as Tony helps me up from the inclined bed. “Honestly, I can’t thank you enough, Ivy. Now, we have to get the blood cells into Mia and see how it works.”
“When will you do the transfer?”
“Probably tomorrow, when you’re on your way back. Larah needs to do the testing on the blood to make sure it’s viable before it goes into Mia. Everything must be perfect.”
“I hope it works out for you, and that my blood is good enough.”
Tony squeezes my shoulder. “Me, too, bella <beautiful>, me too.” He holds his hand out in front of me. I take it, slowly sliding off the bed. My head spins ever so slightly, so I stand still to get my equilibrium to settle down. Tony gestures to my juice box. “Drink up. It will help.”
I bring the juice to my lips, sucking on the straw as Tony walks with me back to Mia’s room, where laughter is bellowing on the other side of the door. When we enter, Matteo’s sitting in the corner, holding a fairy wand, the biggest scowl on his face. His eyes widen as he places the wand on the bed, standing tall and puffing out his chest, while Mia blurts out the chorus to ‘Let it Go’ from Frozen. Dash spins as if he’s pretending to shoot ice from his hands, his face is covered in the brightest blush I’ve ever seen. His eyelids are an almost neon blue eye shadow, there’s lipstick smeared all over his lips, and there’s even a little on his five o’clock shadow. And don’t forget the long, blonde, Elsa wig he’s sporting or the blue ice queen dress.
He looks spectacular.
Dash spots me, smiles cockily, then keeps playing with Mia, completely unashamed as he rushes around the bed with her.
I think he’s actually having fun.
Matteo glances over at us, folding his arms over his chest. “If Mia wants you to dress like a princess, you dress like a fucking princess. Mia asked politely if Dash would dress up with her. He was hesitant, so I pointed a gun to his head, and now, he’s Elsa... just like that.”
I raise my brow as Mia flops down on the mattress in a fit of giggles. “This is the best! Uncle Matty, can you and Dash come play every day?”
Dash leans against the wall letting out a long breath, which lets me know he’s exhausted. I try to hold in my laugh as Matteo walks over, sitting on the bed next to Mia. “Dash can’t be here every day, principessa. Plus, you need to rest, especially after that.”
Mia’s happy expression weakens, and she sighs. “Dash?”
“Yeah, kiddo?” He’s puffing like he’s still trying to inhale a lungful of air.
“Will you come see me again?”
Dash lights up like a damn neon sign. “You better fucking believe it.”
“Prospect! Stop swearing in front of my daughter. I let you get away with it once, but that’s enough.” Tony grunts.
“Shit, sorry! Shit! Fuck!” Dash raises his hands in the air in surrender as I let out a snicker. Dash’s eyes flick to mine. “How did you do? You okay?” Dash asks me, trying to change the subject.
I nod my head, which causes it to spin. Grabbing hold of the wall, I reach out to stabilize myself making Dash scurry over to me. He wraps his arms around me tightly to hold me up. “Hey, I got you. What did you do to her?”
I groan. “Stop, Dash, I’m fine. I just need to sit down for a little while. They took my blood, remember?”
Dash places the back of his hand to my forehead. “You’re all clammy. You sure you did it right, Tony?”
Tony rolls his shoulders. “Let’s get you to bed. You can rest. We will bring you something to eat.”
“Not sure I’m up for food right now, Tony,” I admit.
“I am. Shit my stomach’s been growling for hours,” Dash quips.
“That’s true.”
“It’s getting late. We’ll set up your room… so you can both get settled,” Amalia offers.
“We’re in the same room?” Dash’s ears pick up.
“Separate beds, cowboy.” Amalia laughs.
Dash nods matter-of-factly. “Good. Then I can keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s okay through the night.”
Tony’s eyes shift to Amalia. “We thought you’d want to do that.”
My muscles tense. If Void knew I was sharing a room with Dash, I don’t know how he would feel about this. We’re in separate beds, and Void wanted Dash to watch over me.
But it’s only one night, and I like that he’s right there for protection if I need it.
“Okay, Ivy looks like she’s about to pass out. Let’s get her to bed,” Dash instructs. “Night, Anna.”
Mia giggles again, the sound angelic. “Night, Elsa!”
“Night, Olaf,” Dash and Mia both say in unison to Matteo.
He groans, trying to fight back his smile. “Goodnight, principessa.” Matteo leans down, placing a kiss on Mia’s forehead, then gently pulls the covers up over her. “Sleep tight.” She reaches out, grabbing Matteo’s hand. “Uncle Matty?”
“Yeah?”
“Love you.”
He leans down, taking her into a tight embrace. “Ti amo anch’io amore mio.” <I love you, too, my love.>