Page 17 of Ivy’s Poison

The VP’s wife backed away from me suddenly like I had been infected with a deadly plague. As she turned away, pretending the water glass was hers, and headed to the only door in the barren room, I finally noticed straps around her shoulder. Little legs hung out the bottom holes of a contraption attached to her back. I caught only a glimpse of a sleeping face, resting peacefully, snuggled against a woman she obviously knew well. Without anyone taking notice, the older woman was gone, my child unscathed. The blonde earned my respect immediately by putting the toddler above my or Ivy’s safety.

It was barely noticeable, but Ivy studied the president from top to bottom before turning away from him. Her eyes shut with sorrow as the president announced, “Conroy is waiting for you, Cakes. I want him grinning from ear to ear when you’re done with him.” The SOB gestured to me but asked her, “He ready for another round?”

She faced him with a deadpan expression. “Why should I give a fuck?” The fear she held for him in the courtyard was no longer evident.

Perplexing me, the president did a happy little two-step while getting out of her path. “Don’t hate the messenger just because Conroy likes it rough.”

Don’t growl. Don’t growl…

She walked toward the door. “I have plans for my prisoner tonight. Don’t forget our agreement.” The door slammed behind her.

I guess Ivy and I both were to suffer that night.

Once again, I found myself being circled. With three guns pointed at me, I was unchained and pulled from the table. Standing for the first time since having the shit kicked out of me, I wobbled slightly. I wasn’t given a chance to gain my bearings or adjust to the searing pain. Instead, I was dragged to the middle of the room where two chains hung from the ceiling, two were bolted to the ground, and again I was cuffed at the ankles and wrists.

As I hung from my arms above my head, the president approached straight on, far too gleeful for my liking, especially with what he had to say. “She gets so irritated when she’s about to be fucked in the ass.”

It took everything I had to not react. These morons had yet to put two and two together. Showing them my newfound weakness wasn’t going to benefit anyone involved. So, even though I knew the mother of my child had once again been sold for the night, I had to act as though completely unaffected.

Gleefully, the president clapped his hands together once. “Off to more important events.”

Then, without warning, he punched me in the gut. I didn’t exactly have to pretend to be affected and short of breath. My whole body felt like a voodoo priest had recently got carried away with their doll. I could almost visualize all the pins sticking out of my spirit.

The president exhibited where Ivy inherited her crazy from by proudly asking, “Who are you?” as if I were going to simply answer.

I coughed expecting to see blood. “Someone who wants a refund.”

All the men, including the president, laughed. He added, “You won’t be needing money anymore, not in this lifetime.”

If I stayed too quiet and didn’t appear weak, they would recognize my training. So, I babbled, “You have the wrong guy. I was simply trying to get my rocks off. Then you attacked me—”

Another punch landed against my stomach. “Not in the mood for lies, stranger.”

I coughed again. “Stranger, that’s exactly what I am to you! I didn’t kill your VP.”

One biker-onlooker commented, “He sure whines more than an assassin should.”

Bingo, dumbass. “Assassin?” I shrieked for show. “Hell no. Just a guy trying to get laid.”

The president giggled, fucking cackled like a girl. “I see I’m not going to get anywhere with you. Isn’t that right?”

I tried to shrug, but it was challenging in my present circumstance. “There’s nowhere to get, my man. Ya got the wrong guy. All day long.”

He clapped again. “Great! I’ll be right back.”

The president left me and chuckling bikers in the room. I peered around at them. “I’m clearly missing the joke, aren’t I?”

Each man had such an evil smirk, I started to feel my hackles rise, an internal warning. Then they readjusted on their feet and stood up straight as if expecting a Colonel to walk through the door. But only the president reentered. At least, I thought it was him until I noticed a change in his demeanor. His shoulders hunched slightly as if preparing to attack his prey. That really sucked since I was his prey. There was no bounce in this president’s step, like the one who had just pranced out of the room. This president only prowled hungrily. His eyes were full of malice mixed with pleasure in being cruel and heartless. That is how powerful his presence was. I could read all that in seconds flat.

I filled my lungs as I realized what Ivy had been searching for when the president entered the room, and why her fear had dissipated at the sight of what she was reading. She had no respect for the puppet, but she was terrified of the master. This motorcycle gang was powerful because it had two presidents.

Twins.

Their matching scars had fooled everyone, including an expert like me.

Arthur, that smart fucker, he knew something was up. And he knew he needed a Cavalieri to get inside to figure out the secret. That SOB knew I had a kid and that I was the perfect candidate to walk into a trap. Ah shit.

“Still think I have the wrong guy?” This president’s voice was lower, and he spoke with nothing but cruel intentions. I could tell every word had meaning – a promise. He didn’t speak to hear himself like his dimwit twin.