Page 64 of Redeem Me

‘Ten,’ I admit, keeping my eyes focused forwards.

‘Can you imagine?’ Dermot waggles his eyebrows at me.

I don’t have to.The age gap between Ivy and me is the same – more, actually.

‘Did you hear the Luxor Lounge has reopened under new ownership? We should go. It’s been ages.’ The Luxor was the country’s most exclusive gentlemen’s club before it was shut down suddenly.

My jaw relaxes at the change in the direction of conversation. ‘Did you hear who bought it?’

‘Who?’ Dermot cocks his head.

‘My littlest brother.’ I roll my eyes. Rian started a chain of bars and nightclubs a couple of years ago. As part of hisacquisitions, he purchased the Luxor Lounge to hang out with naked women all day and tell our father it’s “work”.

‘No way, man.’ Dermot straightens his spine. ‘Well, now we definitely have to go. Got to support your brother’s business, right? Did anyone hear what happened to Cole?’

Cole, the previous owner, is the same creep who tried it on with Scarlett, which didn’t exactly go down well with my brother. Possessiveness runs in our blood. I have no idea where Cole is now, but I’d bet my life my brother has a good idea. And the fewer questions asked, the better.

I shrug, nonchalantly. ‘Probably crawled back under his rock .’

‘How is Ivy working out for you?’ Dermot peers at me over the rim of his coffee cup.

I swallow my guilt. ‘Great. The kids love her.’

Dermot crosses his ankle over his knee. ‘She’s a very loveable girl.’

‘She’s twenty-three. More woman than girl,’ I say tentatively.

Dermot scoffs. ‘She should start acting like one.’

An image of her tied to the bed forces itself to the forefront of my mind. ‘What do you mean?’

‘She needs to start thinking about the future.’

Somehow, in the whirlwind of my infatuation with Ivy, I’d forgotten she’s only supposed to be here for the summer. It was me who insisted on it.

‘I’m grateful to you, though.’ Dermot’s tone is sincere. ‘Her last boss was a sleaze. It’s one of the reason’s she finally came home. She’s my kid sister, you know. I hate the thought of her living with a strange family. At least here, with you, I know she’s in safe hands.’

‘I won’t let anything happen to her,’ I grit out. Not because she’s Dermot’s little sister, but because I’m obsessed with her. Obsessed with the tiny mews she makes when Islide my cock into her. With her tousled blonde beach waves. With her smart mouth and the way she lights up when she laughs. The way she looks at me as if I’m some sort of god, although little does she know, I have more in common with the devil.

‘I know you probably think I’m crazy being so protective of her, but I can’t help it.’

‘She isn’t a kid anymore. You should cut her some slack.’

‘It’s hard, you know. You have a sister. You know what it’s like.’

‘I am protective of Zara, but she’s not some wilting virgin. I don’t mind her dating, as long as she’s treated well, and she’s happy.’

‘I know I’m probably hard on her. It’s not her fault.’ Dermot’s knee bounces with a nervous tick. ‘Ivy was a twin. Katie, our sister, died when we were just kids.’ Dermot sighs.

‘I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you mention it before?’ And why didn’t Ivy mention her sister who died was actually her twin? Losing a twin must be like losing part of yourself. She probably understands my pain better than most.

‘It’s not something we talk about.’ He rests a hand on his knee and the jerking stops. ‘Talking about it won’t bring her back.’ He tuts. ‘I couldn’t save Katie, none of us could, but I’ll do everything in my power to protect Ivy.’

Ivy chooses that moment to stroll out, bare foot and wearing a pastel pink cotton dress that stops three inches above her knees and dips low at the front. ‘Dermot, what are you doing here?’

Her hair hangs loosely over her sun-kissed shoulders, damp from the shower. Her flawless complexion is devoid of make-up, but she has the telltale flush of a woman who has been thoroughly pleasured.

‘I was visiting a client in Malahide. I thought I’d check onyou on my way.’ He stands, crosses the deck, and plants a kiss on her cheek.

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