Wicked Beginning: An Ivy Morgan Mystery Books 1-3 (33 page)

“I’m sorry to interrupt your foreplay, but I was worried about Ivy,” Max said, not missing a beat.

Ivy’s cheeks burned under her brother’s mirthful gaze. “We were just … taking a walk.”

“That’s what it looks like,” Max said, shooting Jack a look. “Were you going to make a move on my sister out here?”

“I was not making a move on your sister,” Jack argued.

Max made a face. “Really? Do you think I was born yesterday?”

“We were just … talking,” Jack said.

“That’s a pretty nifty trick,” Max said. “Personally, I’ve found talking when my lips are fused to another human being practically impossible.”

“You’ve never found talking impossible,” Ivy shot back.

“Whatever,” Max said, rolling his eyes. “Would you like me to take Kelly back to the house so you two can continue pawing at one another, or do you want to walk back with us?”

“We’re going back,” Jack said, narrowing his eyes as he regarded Max. When Ivy moved to pull away from him, he let her get far enough away so her head wasn’t resting against his chest, but he snagged her hand with his and didn’t let it go during the entire trek back to the cottage. Given Max’s occasional glances, Jack knew the move wasn’t lost on him.

Once they got back to the cottage, Kelly bounded up the steps. “I’m going to bed,” she said. “I’m going to close the door in case you two want to snuggle on the couch again.”

Max lifted his eyebrows. “Again?”

“They slept on the couch together last night,” Kelly said.

“Thank you for tattling,” Ivy said, her tone dry.

“You’re welcome,” Kelly said, missing the sarcasm. “I’ll see you guys in the morning. Thanks for dinner, Max.”

“You’re very welcome, Kelly,” Max said, smiling at her. Once she was gone, the smile shifted from sincere to playful. “You two are sleeping together now?”

“I … .” Ivy wasn’t sure, but if it was possible for a human being’s face to catch on fire, she was undergoing the phenomenon while Max teased her mercilessly and Jack did whatever he was doing as he eyed her brother.

“She was scared,” Jack said. “She didn’t want to wake Kelly up. There was no place else to sleep. Nothing happened.”

“There’s another couch in the library,” Max pointed out.

Jack had forgotten about that little tidbit. “So what?”

Max held his hands up in mock surrender. “I think it’s great,” he said. “Personally, I would’ve waited until Ivy’s house was empty of an impressionable teenager, but that’s just me.”

“I’m going to beat you,” Ivy warned.

“I think Jack is going to do that for you,” Max said.

“I just might,” Jack said, refusing to let go of Ivy’s hand even though she was trying to extricate her fingers from his. “How was Kelly tonight?”

Max reluctantly disassociated from his joyous teasing. “She was good,” he said. “I showed her around town, which took all of five minutes. I took her out to Mom and Dad’s and she worked in the garden with Dad for a few hours.”

“She worked in the garden with Dad?” Ivy asked, surprised.

“Yeah,” Max said. “Dad was careful. There were no sudden movements, and he let Kelly plant some tomatoes. Then I took her to dinner in town. Mom was making tofu, and I didn’t think anyone deserved that.”

“Where did you take her?” Ivy asked.

“Just to the diner.”

“Did anyone ask who she was?” Jack asked.

“No,” Max said, searching his memory. “People pretty much left us alone. She was fine the whole day until we got out to the parking lot.”

“What happened then?” Ivy asked.

“I don’t know,” Max said. “I was already in my truck, and when I looked out the passenger window, I saw she was just standing there and staring at the far end of the parking lot. I said her name, but she didn’t answer. She didn’t even look at me.

“I got back out of the truck, but I couldn’t find what she was staring at,” he continued. “She finally got in the truck, and I asked her what she saw because she was kind of pale. She wouldn’t tell me, though.”

“You’re sure you didn’t see anyone?” Jack asked.

“I’m sure,” Max said. “I looked hard, too. It was almost as if she’d seen a ghost. She claims she didn’t see anything, but I’m not sure I believe her.”

Jack rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. “We really need her to tell us what’s going on.”

“I think she’s close,” Max said. “I know that doesn’t help you two because you’re not going to be able to get … carnal … while she’s under the same roof, but I do think she’s close.”

“I’m going to kill you,” Ivy seethed.

Jack ignored the exchange. “I’m going to see what I can do about tracking down the brother tomorrow,” he said. “Ivy has promised to push Kelly for answers. We’re stuck until Kelly decides she can’t live with the secrets.”

“Well, for your sake, I hope she comes clean soon,” Max said.

“I hope so, too,” Jack said, tugging on Ivy’s hand. “Come on,” he said. “I’m exhausted. I think some sleep is going to do us all some good. We can approach this fresh in the morning.”

“Are you two going to sleep together on the couch again?” Max asked, his eyes twinkling.

Jack didn’t answer. Instead, he offered Max a half-hearted wave as he led Ivy into the house. “Goodnight, Max.”

“ARE
you sure you’re okay with this?” Ivy asked, her eyes flitting nervously as she regarded Jack’s naked chest on the couch.

“Lay down,” Jack ordered, lifting the blanket so Ivy could climb in next to him. When she was settled, he flipped the button on the lamp and plunged the room into darkness before snuggling up behind her.

“We really need to talk about what we’re doing,” Ivy said, her voice weary.

“Later,” Jack said, resting his face against the pillow and rolling her tighter against him.

“I … I don’t want to pressure you,” Ivy said. “This isn’t fair to you.”

“Life isn’t fair,” Jack said. “And, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not complaining. Now shut up and go to sleep.”

“Okay,” Ivy said, pressing her eyes shut.

Jack’s breathing was deep and regular, sleep claiming him first. Ivy wasn’t far behind, and for some reason the steady beat of his heart reassured her that nothing could touch her as long as he was around.

Nothing.

“AGAIN?”

Ivy’s face was incredulous when she opened her eyes and found herself on Jack’s gritty dream street.

“I’m sorry,” Jack said, glancing around. “I don’t know why I keep doing this.”

“You need me.”

Jack shifted his eyes to her. “What do you mean?”

“You need me,” Ivy repeated.

Jack was starting to get that. “I don’t want you to see this, though,” he said. “I may need you. I definitely want you. I just … don’t want you to see this.”

“I don’t want to see it either,” Ivy said, lifting her hand and pressing it to the spot above Jack’s heart. “You know we’re on the couch right now, right? Your arms are around me, and I can hear the beat of your heart.”

“How can we be two places at once?”

Ivy shrugged. “You brought me here. You tell me.”

“I don’t want to keep reliving this,” Jack said. “More than anything I don’t want to keep dragging you into this. You should be dreaming about open fields … and picking flowers … and sandy beaches.”

“So take me there,” Ivy prodded.

“How?”

“Imagine where you want us to be,” Ivy said. “Think hard. Don’t let anything distract you.” She glanced down the road, the furtive shadow closing the distance between them. “He’s coming.”

“I’ve never been in this position before in the dream,” Jack said, turning quickly. “I should be on the other side of the street.”

“See, you can change the dream, Jack. You’re already doing it.”

“I don’t know how I’m doing it, though.”

“Why are you here?”

“Because I dream about this almost every night.” Jack was frustrated.

“No, that’s not what I mean,” Ivy said. “Why did you walk over here tonight.”

“I … .” Jack broke off, realization dawning. “I was looking for you.”

“You knew I’d be here,” Ivy said. “You came for me because you wanted to protect me, even though I wasn’t in danger.”

“What should I do?”

“What do you want to do?” Ivy asked. “Do you want to change this dream, or move on to another dream?”

“Can I do both?”

“I’m not sure,” Ivy said. “I don’t understand what’s going on here any more than you do. Whatever happens, though, we’re going to do this together, Jack. I’m not letting you walk across that street without me.”

“You’re safer here.”

“I’m safe there,” Ivy said. “I can’t die here.”

“It’s my dream, which means it’s my subconscious,” Jack argued. “The things I’m scared of in life are the same things I’m scared of in my dreams.”

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

“I’m terrified of losing you in life,” Jack admitted, running his hand down the back of Ivy’s head. “I can’t bear the thought of it. This is my nightmare. The only thing worse than me being shot over and over again would be for you to be shot.”

“Even if I’m shot in your dream, that doesn’t mean I’ll be hurt in real life,” Ivy said, her heart rolling at Jack’s words. “I’m right next to you, Jack.”

“You need to run,” Jack said. “He’s coming for me. I won’t let him hurt you.”

Ivy glanced at the faceless figure. It was just a shadow. Jack wasn’t allowing it to have form. He was controlling the dream without realizing it. She made up her mind quickly. “I think it’s my turn to protect you,” she said.

“What?”

“You keep putting yourself in danger to protect me,” Ivy said. “It’s my turn.”

“Don’t you dare,” Jack warned, reaching for Ivy’s hand as she moved away from him. Ivy sidestepped him neatly, shooting him a whimsical smile as she moved toward the center of the road.

“Stay there,” Ivy said.

“You come back here right now,” Jack said, his voice ragged.

“I’m going to be fine, Jack. I promise.”

“Ivy, please.” Jack was begging now, and he didn’t care how pathetic he sounded. “I can’t watch you be hurt. It will kill me.”

“I’m not going to be hurt,” Ivy said, resolute. “I’m right next to you, Jack. Your heart is beating against mine. Just remember that.”

Ivy turned to face the shadow, anger coursing through her. As the shadow approached, his features evened out. Ivy didn’t know what she was expecting. In her dreams, evil always looked … well … evil. This was a normal looking man, handsome even. He was shorter than Jack, although his shoulders were equally broad. His hair was dark, and his brown eyes were so dark they bordered on black.

“Who are you?” Ivy asked.

“Who are you?” the man shot back.

“I’m Ivy Morgan.”

“Well, Ivy Morgan, what do you think you’re doing out on the mean streets of Detroit all alone at night? A pretty little thing like you should be home. It’s not safe out here.”

“I’m perfectly safe,” Ivy relied, nonplussed. “I’m home on my couch, a strong man wrapped around me. You’re the one who doesn’t belong here.”

The man widened his eyes, surprised. “Are you threatening me?”

“Yes.”

“Listen, little lady, I’m not the type of man you want to threaten.”

The moonlight glinted off something by the man’s waist, and Ivy wasn’t surprised to see it was a badge. She was surprised to find the man was apparently on duty when he shot Jack. She fought the urge to turn to Jack, a million questions racing through her mind. Now wasn’t the time to pressure him into an explanation.

“You don’t belong here,” Ivy said. “You’re nothing but a figment of Jack’s imagination. Sure, you existed somewhere at one time. I don’t know if you do now, but you have no power here.”

“I have power everywhere,” the man seethed, reaching for Ivy. Before he could grab her, though, Jack was pushing between them.

“Don’t touch her, Marcus.”

Ivy stepped back, surprised by Jack’s appearance and vehemence. He was taking control of the dream. Not because he wanted to protect himself, though. No, he was taking control of the dream to protect Ivy. Inherently, she knew he would always do just that.

“You should know better than bringing your girlfriend out here,” Marcus said. “I have a job to do, and I don’t care if she’s a witness or not. I’ll kill you both.”

“You already tried to kill me, Marcus,” Jack said. “You failed. I’m alive.”

“I don’t fail,” Marcus snapped.

Jack glanced at Ivy, his eyes soft. “You’re right. I can change the dream.”

“Change it to something better,” Ivy said.

Jack held out his hand. “Hold on.”

Ivy took it, gripping it tightly, and watched as Jack shifted his gaze back to Marcus. “I don’t want you coming back here,” he said. “I’m not coming back here.”