I have no idea what Matteo just murmured to Mia, but apparently, she understands as she cuddles into him. Leaving them to their moment, I turn, heading out the door.
Dash wraps his arm around my shoulders, leaning into my ear. “Don’t tell anyone I told you this, but Matteo’s all right. He loves that kid more than anything. He’s a great uncle, and once he started loosening up in there, he was pretty cool with that cute kid.”
Tony chuckles behind us, making us both turn. “Matteo has many layers. It surprised me he unraveled some of them in front of you, Dash, especially considering how turbulent you both started out. But as we all know, my daughter is his weakness, and if she took a shining to you, then he will, too. Your room is this one.” Tony points to a room off to the right.
We all veer, and as I walk in, Dash switches on the light sending a glow over the room. The first thing to catch my eye is the giant floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the waterway, the silvery moon shining brightly, reflecting on the waves. There’s a large bed, maybe a queen-size facing the giant windows overlooking the water. I can’t think of anything more calming to wake up to. Then there’s a small alcove where a single bed is situated with a couple of sofa chairs and a door leading out to a balcony. I shake my head at the extravagance of this room. I’m sure there’s also an attached bathroom off to the side. Tony is crazy rich. I can’t even fathom having a home like this, and this is only one bedroom.
“I hope everything is to your satisfaction?” Amalia questions.
I walk over to the window taking in the magnificent view. “You have an amazing home.”
“I’m very lucky. You should get some rest, Ivy. You’re free to roam the house, but please don’t leave the grounds for your safety. We will have the servants bring some food to your room in a short while,” Amalia offers.
I turn back to see Dash is checking out the softness of the single mattress.
Tony dips his chin at me. “You’re welcome to call home, tell them what’s going on. You’ll be heading back in the morning. I will have my men drive you. For now, though, good night.”
I wave my hand in the air. “Night, Tony.”
He and Amalia head off, closing the door behind them.
Dash opens his very intense shadowed eyes. “Holy shit! Did we crack the jackpot or what?”
I try to hold it in but fail as I burst out laughing.
Dash scrunches up his face as I sit on the edge of the giant bed before I fall over. “Jesus, Dash, I can’t take you seriously made up like that.”
He waves me off, dismissively. “Just ‘cause I’m pretty, don’t mean you gotta hate on me for it.”
“Seriously, you need to look in the mirror.”
His dorky smirk lights his face, then he heads for the adjoining bathroom while I sip on my juice, waiting for his reaction.
“Jesus. Fucking. Christ! It’s like a bunch of paint cans exploded all over my face.”
I erupt in laughter again, falling back on the bed. “Told you so!”
“That little shit! Good thing I like her.”
I laugh as the faucet turns on for him to try and remove the artwork.
“I’m gonna call Void!” I yell out to Dash as I pick up my cell, dialing the number.
It’s already ringing when Dash calls back, “Tell him I’m looking gorgeous for you tonight!”
“What the fuck?” Void grunts down the line.
I chuckle. “There was this whole thing with Dash and Mia… yeah, I’ll tell you about it later. I just wanted to check in and tell you I’m okay.”
Void lets out a relieved sigh. “I was so fucking worried, sweet thing. Is Tony treating you okay?”
A genuine smile lights my face. “Yeah. They’re actually really hospitable. And the donation wasn’t that bad at all.”
“And the room is fucking epic, man,” Dash calls out while rubbing a towel over his hair as he walks in.
Void is quiet for a pass as I relax back. “Void, you there?”
“Are you and Dash sharing a room?”
My muscles tense. “I mean… kind of. It’s the same space, but his bed is in a different section—”
“But he’s in there… with you… while you’ll be sleeping?”
“Void, you sent him here to protect me. How can he do that if he’s in a different room?”
Dash quietly walks over to his side, giving me some space.
Void grunts down the line, letting out a loud, annoyed huff. “I’m glad you’re doing okay, but I gotta go—”
“Void!”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with those few parting words, he ends the call.
Closing my eyes, I sigh then slowly place the cell on the bed next to me. I wish Void were here with me, so he could see there’s absolutely nothing for him to worry about. His fears are not warranted. My one simple wish is that he would trust me.
Chapter Seven
VOID
“Void, you sent him here to protect me. How can he do that if he’s in a different room?”
I should have never let that fucker go with her!
“I’m glad you’re doing okay, but I gotta go—”
“Void!”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then I hung up on her.
I can’t listen to him prancing around like he’s king fucking dick. The idea that he’s spending the night with Ivy, fantasizing about her while she’s practically sleeping beside him, eats at my very fucking core. She can’t see that he’s in deep, but I know lust when I see it, and the prospect is all about getting into Ivy’s panties.
If the fucker makes a move while I’m not there, so help me fucking God, the outcome won’t be pretty.
My muscles tense, and heat washes over me as I pick up the nearest thing and hurl it across the room. The short glass narrowly misses Nycto, smashing on the floor by the pool table. The glass fractures, breaking into tiny fragments, bursting all over the concrete by his feet.
Nycto’s eyes widen, and he glares at me.
I swing back to the bar and give it a few taps.
Stacey grimaces but quickly starts pouring me another Jack.
The heavy boots of Nycto moving in behind me are unmistakable as I simmer just at boiling point. His hand on my back doesn’t shock me, but the jerking motion of him hoisting me by my cut up from my seat does. I stumble haphazardly as he yanks. I turn to face him, but he drags me toward the chapel without stopping.
“What the fuck, man?”
He shoves me forward. “Walk!”
I shrug, straightening out my cut, trying to gain some semblance of dignity. But I know I’m on the edge of something here. The problem is, Nycto knows it too. This was coming.
We walk into the chapel, and he slams the door shut behind me.
“Look, I wasn’t aiming the glass at—”
“I don’t give a shit about the glass, brother. I’m more concerned about you! What the fuck has you throwing projectiles through the clubhouse at this hour?”
Letting out a heavy exhale, I slump back on the edge of the table. I need to take a load off. This shit is weighing me down so heavy. “This isn’t me, Prez.”