Page 19 of Ivy’s Poison

I pulled air into my worn-out lungs while searching for the answer. It was alarming that I actually wanted to know if the woman who got me into this mess was faring better than I.

As if having the ability to read minds, the older woman shook her head while still working on me. “Uh-uh, this is not her fault. You killing my husband is what got you into this mess.”

How many smart bitches are in this gang?

Searching the woman’s shoulders, I saw the straps. My eyes raced to her waist, desperate to see little feet. The tip of one pink socked foot peeked from behind the woman’s hip. I sighed in relief at the sight and the ointment she was smoothing onto my burns. The care she was offering me and my child had me wanting to apologize for killing her man, but I wasn’t sure if she was setting me up for unknown video cameras. Saying anything would’ve been an admission, something my torturer wasn’t getting from me.

“I’m not setting you up if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Completely wiped out physically, I still had the energy to smirk at the sharp woman.

Her hands working my wounds, she looked up at me again. “Huh. Well, how about that? Champ is handsome under all that blood.”

Champ. My heart twinged at the thought of Ivy being fucked somewhere in the building. “How long have I been out?”

“You mean is Ivy still being raped?”

I looked away, telling myself I didn’t give two shits, but still felt my cold heart pinch.

She, tiredly, exhaled at my silence. “Show no weakness. I get it. I’ve been in this racket for many years.”

Barely having the strength to talk, I asked, “If you believe I killed your husband,” I stopped for a needed breath, “why are you caring for my injuries?”

She placed a bandage over a well-lubed burn and began taping it on. “Trent and I were a part of Ivy’s upbringing. You could say we loved her like a daughter.”

Ah shit.

“So, when she learned she was pregnant, and was devastated with the thought of terminating it since she was already so far along, we made the decision to step in. Ivy always used protection. When Ivy swore she knew who the daddy was,” the woman’s voice saddened, “her eyes lit up for the first time in years. I don’t know what happened between you two that night, but she never forgot you.” The woman exhaled before grabbing the tube of ointment. “Now, having met her father,” her full hands gestured to my wounds, “you can probably imagine Ivy’s had a hard life.” The woman peered up at me with a haunted expression. “If a baby isn’t a member’s, it doesn’t stay here. But Ivy was already making her daddy a profit. She was not going to be able to leave to raise her child.”

I jolted at the thought of the little girl strapped to her back not being there.

Nodding, she went back to work on another burn. Her voice shook. “So, Trent claimed we were having marriage problems, and Ivy’s pregnancy was a result of a drunk night that got out of hand. He told her father that he didn’t want anyone fucking her while his child was inside. He was VP. He could make such demands.” She placed another bandage over my skin and started taping it.

None of her words were explaining why she was helping me and not hating me for killing who sounded to be of good character. Not until she said, “What I didn’t see coming was him believing his own lie. Trent started to truly think he had a say over Ivy and that she was his.” She paused to swallow then voiced what disgusted her. “He became infatuated with the growth of her belly, always touching it. Soon, he wanted more.” Her hands dropped as she explained, “Maybe it was because I wasn’t able to get pregnant. It was hard for us both.” Determined, she went back to work. “A part of Ivy died the night he forced himself onto her. She was already seven months along when that sonofabitch shoved his dick inside her.” She covered her mouth as if about to be sick. “I was there, in our bedroom. I cried, begging him to stop, but it was like he was possessed, holding Ivy’s belly while fucking her.”

She moved to my third burn and started adding ointment. “After that, he truly claimed Ivy so no one else could ever have a piece of what he now saw as his. I was permitted to stay since we were legally married. Ivy apologized to me for something that wasn’t her fault, but she was thankful for no longer being sold. Fucking Trent was the lesser of the two evils, you could say.” A smile finally appeared. “When Jade was born and I held that baby… I no longer cared that my husband was a sick fuck. That baby made all the terror worth it. We had peace for a while.” Her eyes found mine. “Until you killed him.”

Fuck. Me.

“Yeah, Ivy was trafficked again after that. Been hell ever since. Fortunately for me, I’m old. No one wants this used up pussy. I’ve become a nanny of sorts.” She shook her head while exhaling. “Ivy? A toy. And, she will continue to be one until she becomes old.” Her voice lowered. “That’s why you have to get her out of here.”

The tending to my wounds was finally making sense. “What’s your name?”

I stared at the back of the woman as she put away her medical supplies. Jade’s dark curls rested and partly covered what I was sure to be an adorable little face. Below her snuggled form, blue jeans caressed a body that once was young and admired by many, I was sure of it. The VP’s wife went to a sink and washed hands that had been nurturing to my child I had yet touch. I envied her for that.

“Beth,” she quietly replied. “My name is Beth.” She dried her aging hands. “Ivy’s very torn. She’s not sure if she wants you for herself or to kill you.” Beth faced me, her shoulders appearing heavy with guilt. “But… she needs you, Champ. Jade needs you. What do you think will happen to her when she gets older?” Her eyes closed. “Please don’t let her be part of this life. So far, Jade is innocent. If she stays—” A tear slipped down her weathered face. “If she stays, they will rob her of it.”

The eyes of the dead little girl in the back seat of the Mercedes, found me in my drained mind. I promised the dead girl, I’ll do right by Jade. I swear it.

Bors

Still hanging from the chains, my hands painfully asleep, I woke when the same eight bikers entered. They smelled of liquor and beer. Had I been in better shape, I could’ve overpowered the easy drunk prey, but I was beyond sleep deprived and my body was desperately trying to heal, so, after they untied me, I allowed them to lead me back to the table because I was desperate for rest. I was already falling asleep as more chains clanked and I was locked down again.

I didn’t feel like I was asleep long before Ivy returned. Her upper lip was cut as if she had been slapped, hard, and her cheek was swollen. There was an odd sensation that flowed through me knowing someone had hurt the mother of my child. I hated her, but somehow, I felt I was the only one who had a right to punish her. Her clothes were casual now, and she had wet hair as if she had just stepped out of a shower. I could smell her floral shampoo. Red puffy eyelids screamed of recent tears.

Exhaling, I stared at the ceiling, trying to not see any more of her pain. Pain I wished I didn’t care about. When I felt her little cold hand slip into mine, I squeezed but still refused to glance at her. My throat was so dry, I could barely speak. “Where are the lowlifes?”

Ivy’s hand slipped from mine in a rush. “Drunker than hell, fucking strippers and club girls.” I heard water turning on for a few seconds, then she appeared next to me with a glass of water. “They’ll be passing out soon.” Cool fingers touched the back of my neck as she helped lift my head. Thirstier than I comprehended, I gulped the whole glass in no time. “You won’t see them again tonight.” After laying my head back down, she rushed to refill the glass. Back at my side, she quietly said, “Now is supposed to be my time for revenge.”