by M. J. Perry
“You want the advantage.”
“We have the advantage, and we need it to stay that way for now.”
“I’m very grateful for your help. You’ve all been so kind.” I bit my lip as I remembered Maverick’s behaviour tonight.
Lee grimaced as if he’d read my thoughts. “Maverick has dealt with some loss in his life, and he’s very much a loner now.”
“He seems close to you guys.”
“He trusts us. We’ve been friends for years. We were there for him when he…” Lee cut himself off. “There are things about him that he should share with you himself. He’ll fight what he feels for you, and he’ll do it coldly and without showing any feeling.”
“What he feels for me?”
“He’s protective of you, which tells me he cares.”
“He seems the type to help anyone who needs it.”
“He is, but he doesn’t hold their hands.” He smirked.
“Oh.” I blushed.
“He’s wary. It’s been years since he was close to a woman.”
“Oh,” I repeated. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Maverick is a great guy, but he’s in a dark place. I want you to be careful if you try to pursue him.”
I stared at him in shock. Who did he think I was? “Lee, Ted was the first man I let into my life and my bed,” I added with a blush. “I don’t even know how to pursue a man.”
“Wow, it’s hard to believe that a pretty girl like you has only had one lover.”
“I never trusted men until I met the biggest douchebag of my life.”
“Don’t let one man sour you on all of us. We aren’t all bad news.”
“I’m learning that.”
“Good. Matt’s gone shopping, so it’ll be pancakes for breakfast.” He told me as he stood up. He stretched, and his shirt rode up, giving me a glimpse of his toned stomach. Gosh, he was attractive. “Yummy,” I said with a grin, only to blush as he chuckled.
“Do you want to touch?” He grinned. He’d obviously caught me checking him out and thought I was talking about him.
“I was talking about the pancakes,” I said awkwardly. I wanted to hide my face.
“You don’t need to be embarrassed, I know I’m hot.”
“Yes, you are, but you’re not my type.”
“Shame,” He grinned, and my eyes widened. “You’re sexy, sweet, and really small. You’d fit in my pocket.”
I laughed. “I’m not small, I’m five foot five.”
“Tiny compared to me.”
“I guess so.” I agreed. He did tower over me.
“Try and get some sleep.” He said as he paused to squeeze my shoulder lightly.
“I’ll try. I’m pretty wiped.”
“You’ve had a rough month, but that’s all behind you now.”
“Yes. Thanks for telling me the truth.”
He shrugged. “You deserve to know it even if it sucks.”
“I know. Goodnight, Lee.”
“Sweet dreams.” He said as he closed the door behind him.
I opened my borrowed suitcase and pulled out a lacy pink nightdress. Heading to the en-suite, I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and got ready for bed. I was so tired, but my mind felt too busy to sleep. Crawling into bed, I snuggled into the fluffy duvet and tried to relax. As I lay there in silence, I thought about Maverick. I felt connected to him on a level that quite frankly scared the crap out me. I didn’t think I would get to find out if he felt the same way. He was going to push me away. I had no doubt about it. Closing my eyes, I tried to relax. There was no point stressing myself over him when I had enough problems in my life.
Chapter Six
Ivy
I woke up to a quiet house and a dull ache in the back of my head. I hadn’t really slept much. I kept waking up with a jolt, my dreams confusing, and my troubled thoughts not really helping. Climbing out of bed, I headed to the bathroom. After I’d used the toilet and washed my hands, I dared to peek at my reflection. My brown eyes were dull. The cheerful woman I once was had gone into hiding, and I wasn’t sure if she would make a comeback anytime soon. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and went back to the room. Grabbing a pair of jeans, a long sleeve top, and clean underwear from the suitcase, I got dressed. I should probably think about unpacking. I didn’t know how long I was going to be here, and my clothes would become creased being stuck in a suitcase.
I didn’t feel like doing it right now, so instead, I walked out the door and went to find the guys. I heard voices as I got closer to the kitchen, and then the smell of coffee hit my nostrils. As I entered the room, the conversation stopped, and they all turned to stare at me.
“Hi,” I said awkwardly. The air was uncomfortable, heavy. I’d obviously interrupted something.
“Morning, Ivy, did you sleep well?” Lee asked.
“Not too bad, thanks,” I smiled. “Do I smell coffee?” I asked.
“I’ll get it for you.” Maverick offered. He turned his back on me to grab a cup.
“Thanks,” I said as I took a seat at the table. I noticed a stack of romance novels on the kitchen counter. “Someone likes romance,” I said with a grin.
Matt followed my gaze. “They’re for you. I figured it would give you something to do while you’re in isolation.”
“That’s really sweet, thank you,” I said with tears in my eyes. I was touched at his thoughtfulness.
Matt shrugged. “It was Mav’s idea, I just got them.”
“Oh, well, thanks, Maverick,” I said shyly. I didn’t know how to act around him now.
“You’re welcome.” He said rather gruffly. He didn’t meet my eyes as he placed a cup of coffee on the table in front of me.
“Is there anything I can do to help the investigation?”
“No. We have people working on it. The best thing right now is for you to stay here and stay safe.” Lee said.
“If you want to help, you can crack me some eggs,” Matt said.
“Okay, I can do that,” I said as I got up and walked to where he was standing with a mixing bowl in his hands.
“You’re making pancakes?” I asked him, remembering what Lee had said last night.
“Yes, you like them?”
“Who doesn’t?”
“True. Here, you break these,” he said as he passed me a box of eggs. “I’ll mix this up first. Blueberries or chocolate chips?”
I bit my lip. “Both?”
“Greedy girl,” Lee chuckled. “I like it.” He said as he bumped his hip against mine.
I giggled and turned to crack the eggs. The kitchen door banged shut, making me jump. I whirled round to see an empty space where Maverick had been standing.
Lee gave me a slight smile before he slipped the eggshells from my clenched fists. “Matt makes the best pancakes,” he said, acting as if everything was normal and Maverick hadn’t just slammed out of the room.
I smiled at him. “I can’t wait to taste them.”
“Well, if you finish the eggs, I can get cracking,” Matt said with a grin, and I giggled at the pun.
I quickly broke the other and placed it in Lee’s waiting hand. Matt gave me a spoon and pushed the bowl over to me. “You can stir. I hate that part.”
I did as he asked, watching the mixture turn smooth. I couldn’t understand why Maverick had stormed out. Could he really be so cold that he couldn’t bear to be in the same room as me? I needed this situation over, and soon. I couldn’t cope with him being indifferent to me. It hurt too much.
****
The pancakes were delicious, even if I’d had to force myself to eat them. Maverick didn’t come back. The entire time we were eating, Lee and Matt kept up a steady stream of conversation, but it was hard to miss the pitying looks they kept throwing my way. By the time, I’d finished my pancakes and coffee, I’d been about ready to scream. I’d excused myself and ran upstairs to grab my shoes, and then I’d come outside. According to Lee, as long as I stayed in the enclosed area,
I was safe in their perimeter circle. I’d been here for over two hours. The air was fresh, the sun when it peeked from behind the clouds made it feel warmer, but it didn’t last. I’d been shivering on and off for a while, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to go back to that house. I needed space. I needed to feel like myself, and the only way to do that was to be alone. I didn’t like the ache I felt when I thought of Maverick, and I didn’t like the panic that overcame me when I thought of Ted. I wanted my life to get better, to go back to normal, although I’d forgotten what normal was. I just wanted to stop feeling helpless. It was probably one of the worst feelings in the world because there was no cure for it. It wasn’t as if I could sort Ted out myself. I had to rely on Maverick and his team to protect me, and I hated it.
Staring into the flowerbed with all the pretty colours, I was lost in thought. I didn’t hear Maverick approach until he was standing a metre away.
“Ivy,” He greeted me.
“Hey,” I said startled. “Has something happened?”
“We need to go to a bank that’s a few miles from here.” He said, and he didn’t look happy.
I frowned. “Why?”
“Ted has an account with a million pound in.”
“What does that have to do with me?” I asked in confusion.
He eyed me, his gaze penetrating, and I suddenly felt guilty of something I hadn’t done. “Your name is on the account.”
I jumped up from the bench. “What! How is that even possible?”
“You didn’t know about it?”
I stared at him open-mouthed. Had he really just asked me that? He’d been on my side from day one, and now he was accusing me? “No,” I ground out through clenched teeth.
He shrugged, “I had to ask.”
“You had to ask?” I scoffed. “Thanks for your confidence in me.”
He sighed. “Ivy,”
“Why do I need to go to the bank?” I asked.
“So you can withdraw the money.”
“How will I do that? I don’t have any proof that the account is mine because it’s not.” I said snottily.
“I’ve spoken to the bank manager, he’s aware of the situation. The police are going to meet us there and take the money from us.”
“Why do you think he put the money in my name? Was it to frame me or to hide it?”
“We think it was to hide it. People know he’s dodgy, but you’re as innocent as a dove. There’s no way if anyone was looking into him that they’d suspect you were helping him.”
“Dirty money,” I shivered. “I don’t like being associated with it.”
“Once you withdraw the money the account will be closed and you won’t have to think about it anymore.”
“Ted will find out that the money is missing.”
He nodded.
“That’s what you want.”
Again, he nodded.
I bit my lip. “You’re using me as bait,” I stated.
His jaw clenched. “We need to give Ted an idea of where you are so we can draw him out and make him come to us.”
“If it will help you catch him quicker, I’ll do it,” I said. My voice wobbled, and I grimaced.
“That’s brave of you.” he sighed. “I hate that you’re in this position.”
“It’s fine,” I said with a twisted smile. “When do we need to go?”
“In a few minutes. I’ve told the manager to expect us this morning.”
I nodded. “Okay.” I bit my lip.
“What’s wrong?”
“Why did you sound so accusing when you asked me about the account?”
He sighed. “I didn’t mean to sound that way. I’m just so pissed that he’s implicated you in his dodgy shit.”
I smiled sadly. “It’s just another thing to add to Ted’s list of wrongs.”
“Ivy?”
“Yes?”
“It will be all right.” He said in a soft voice.
“I hope so.”
“It will be,” He promised. “All we need you to do is withdraw the money, and then we’ll leave a trail of breadcrumbs for Ted to follow.”
“What will happen to the money?”
“The police will take it in as evidence.”
I nodded. “Will you be there with me?”
“Yes. I promised you I would protect you. I won’t go back on my word.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“I’ve already told you not to thank me.” His voice was harsh.
“Sorry,” I said immediately.
“Don’t say sorry,” He growled at me.
I glared at him. “What is the matter with you?”
He opened his mouth, closed it again, and then he squeezed his eyes shut. Pushing his hand through his silky hair, he sighed. “I’m sorry,” He said in a voice that sounded like sandpaper. “I’m being a dick, and you don’t deserve it.”
“Why are you doing it?”
He opened his eyes and trapped mine in his gaze. His eyes were full of pain. “I can’t talk about it.”
I didn’t push him. I walked up to where he stood and slipped my arms around his waist. His hard, ripped chest was a delicious feeling underneath my cheek as was his heart beating as fast as my own. He hesitated before wrapping his arms around me and resting his chin on the top of my head.
“You feel good to hold,” He muttered.
I bit my lip to stop myself from telling him he felt good too. I pulled away after inhaling his spicy scent, but I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t. “Shall we go?”
He was silent for a moment, and I dared a peek. He looked confused. “Lee and Matt are coming with us.” He told me.
“Will I need identification because I have none on me?”
“Ian got your passport from your car.”
“Did he get my phone?”
He shook his head. “We’ve left that in there. We want Ted to find us, but on our terms.”
“Okay. I imagine I had missed calls?”
“You had a few which you can return after this is all over. Ted left you a dozen, but you don’t need to hear them. He’s a foul-mouthed piece of crap.”
“He isn’t hiding anymore.”
Maverick nodded. “He’s showing his true colours.”
“Wait,” I exclaimed. “How did Ian get into my phone? I have a fingerprint lock.”
He surprised me with a chuckle. “Ivy, you know what we do for a living. It wasn’t exactly hard to break into your phone.”
“Oh, right, security.” I grinned. “I’m sure there are lots of things you can do that I can’t even imagine.”
He only shrugged.
“Hey, do you have gadgets like the Mission Impossible films? That would be so cool!”
“Unfortunately, no, but it would be a lot of fun, though.”
“Yeah, it would. I suppose we need to go now?”
“The sooner we do, the sooner it’s behind you, and we can move on to the next stage of our plan.”
“Bait,” I said quietly.
“If we weren’t positive we can keep you safe, there’s no way we would do this. We’ve gone over so many different options, but this is the one most likely to get us the outcome we want.”
“Which is?”
“Ted in prison and you no longer on the run.”
“I’d like that.”
“Ivy, honestly, I won’t let him close to you. I swear to god, you’ll be safe.”
I nodded. Overcome with emotion. “I’ll just run a brush through my hair, and I’ll be ready.”
“You don’t need to do that. You look lovely.”
“Thanks,” I said as I walked around him and headed towards the house. When I got to the door, I turned to find him watching me. I gave him a smile and entered the house through the backdoor.
“There you are. Did Mav tell you what we need to do?” Lee asked as he walked into the kitchen.
“Yes, I’m just going to brush my hair.”
Lee grinned. “It�
�s fluffy.”
I giggled, “Hence why I need to brush it.”
“Go do that, and I’ll bring the car around.” He rubbed his hands through his short hair. “Do you understand the danger?”
“A psychopath wants me, and I’m being used as bait to bring said psychopath out into the open. Yes, I understand.”
“You’re brave, Ivy. If there was any other way…” he trailed off.
“It’s okay. I’d rather do this on our terms and not wait around for him to take us by surprise.”
He walked to stand a couple of feet from me. “Honey, believe me, there are not many if any women who would help draw out the man who beat them.”
“Most women aren’t stupid enough to be taken in by a violent man.”
He squeezed my shoulder. “No, most of them don’t escape.”
I bit my lip. “I’m sorry for them.”
“Me too. That’s why when someone needs our help, someone who is as brave and courageous as you are, we don’t hesitate.”
I burst into tears. I felt like a fraud because I was none of those things. “I’m scared,” I whispered.
“I know.” He said as he pulled me into his arms. “It’s okay to be afraid, I would be too if I was in your position, but do you know what?”
I looked up at him. “What?”
“You have us to protect you. None of us will let him get close.”
“I believe that. You have no idea how much it means to me.” I pulled away and wiped my hands over my cheeks.
“You cried on the wrong man, I don’t have a handkerchief.” He grinned.
I gave him a watery smile. “It’s okay, I’ll get some tissue. Thank you.”
“Anytime, Ivy,” He looked at his watch. “We should leave in the next five minutes.”
I nodded. “I’ll just be a couple of minutes.”
“Okay. The car will be out the front of the house. Meet us there.”
“You got it,” I said as I sprinted up the stairs.
A quick look in the mirror as I made it upstairs told me I needed to do more than run a brush through my hair. I must have been playing with it when I was outside, a nervous habit I had when I was feeling unsure. Maverick had told me it looked lovely, and I didn’t think he’d been lying. Maybe he was blind. I brushed my hair quickly and pulled it into a low ponytail. Taking a deep breath, I stared at myself. I could do this. I would walk into that bank and do what needed to be done. I may have been in the dark about what Ted was doing, but now I knew I would do everything I could to make sure he didn’t profit from his crimes. The thought of those poor people losing their livelihoods because Ted was a greedy bastard made me so angry. Just who did he think he was to do that? What right did he have to hurt people the way he did?
