Maverick“Go upstairs and get ready for bed, Ivy. I’ll be up there soon.” Ivy nodded at Maddox and ignored me, and the cold shoulder hurt, but I deserved it.“I think you need some time away from the house,” Maddox stated.“I’m not leaving.”“You’re not concentrating on what is going on and you’re doing more harm than good. Our perfect date night was ruined because your feelings got hurt when Ivy said she didn’t want to stay home. What is your deal?”“Is it wrong that my ideal family has a stay-at-home mother?”“It is when you’re not giving her the choice. Her entire life she has been told what to do by men and she finally has a chance to do something, and you want to take that from her.”“Just until the kid is old enough to go to school.”“And then what? She can only do things during school hours? That’s bullshit and it’s unfair to her. Ivy deserves more, she deserves better. When did you start acting like our father?”“Take that back, Maddox. I’m nothing like him. Really, you don’t

Ivy“Are you sure they’re ok with this?”“Yes. They insisted I take you to congratulate you.”“Do they know who the father is?”“No. I didn’t tell them that part. It’s none of their business. You’ll tell them when you want them to know.”I hate lying, especially to a friend, but I’m not sure we can trust her, so it’s for the best.“I feel bad.”“Leah, let us do this for you. You’re not the only one picking things out. I need something for our baby, too.”“It’s not the same. They’re the father. I’m just the house servant who fucked their father.”“What else is bothering you? I feel like this is just the icing on the cake, and you’re angry about something else.”“Of course, I’m angry about other things. I’m carrying the child of a man who is going to die. I have no support and no idea what I’m going to do about my life.”“You have me for support and once Maddox and Maverick know they’ll support you, too. They’re not horrible people. You are family now and have nothing to worry about. Le

Ivy“It’s time to wake up. Ivy, I need you to wake up so you can get ready for dinner.”I was confused at first because that voice didn’t belong to Maddox.“Maverick?”“Come on, sleepyhead. I promised Maddox that I would have you up in enough time for dinner.”“What are you doing here?”“I’ve been with you for the last hour and a half. I wanted to spend some time with you.”“You should have woken me up,” I said as I raised my arms above my head to stretch.“I knew you needed sleep; you’ve been exhausted lately.”“I’m always tired. This pregnancy is taking all of my energy. Do I really need to leave the bed?”“You need to eat.”Maverick was propped on his elbow, looking down at me, and I couldn’t help but stare at his face. Both men were very attractive, but their prominent features were different. Maddox has piercing green eyes and Maverick has full, beautiful lips.“Kiss me,” I demanded.Maverick furrowed his eyebrows before bending down and capturing my lips with his. I wrapped my a

Maverick“They should have been back by now.”“I know, neither Ivy nor Damien are answering their phones now.”“Do you think something happened?” I asked Maddox.“I don’t know. We shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Ivy was ignoring my call earlier and Damien is driving.”Before I could tell Maddox that Damien would still answer Colin came running into the room.“You’re needed in the kitchen. Damien was just thrown out of a car at the gate, and we brought him. He was beaten badly.”Maddox and I ran to the kitchen, hoping Damien could tell us what happened. He was slumped over a chair with blood dripping from his mouth.“What the fuck happened?” I yelled.“I was blindsided, and they took Ivy and her mother.”“How took them?” Maddox asked.“Delaney,” he coughed out. “He said you have two days to hand over your father and to turn everything over to him.”“Shit,” I mumbled out. “Did he say anything about sending us a warning?”Damien shook his head no.“Give Colin the location of where you wer

Ivy“Dad?”“I know this is a shock, but I have to get you out of here before they find you.”“Does mom know you’re here alive?”“She does. It’s why Israel removed her from the room. She has been with me.”“Are you working for him?”“It’s a long story and we have to keep moving, so come on.”I don’t want to leave. I want to know more about my father and why he is here, and why he is working for Israel.“I’m not leaving until I get some answers. I thought you were dead. I’ve spent most of my life missing you. We even had a funeral for you.”“I know, but it was the only way to keep you safe and your mother safe.”“Why are you working for him?”My father let out a sigh while whipping the sweat off his forehead.“He’s your uncle.”“So, mom knew him from the start? Is that why she was calm and knew he wouldn’t do anything?”“Yes, and it’s why he won’t do anything to you unless you cross him, and I know you. You are going to save the Ronan boys.”“I love them. Of course, I’m going to try. I