Page 111 of Clint & Ivy

While Tricky seethed nearby, Rowdy organized the Crimson Guard into three small units, putting local boys Ben and Nine in charge of their own groups. Sabrina stopped threatening members of the LM Jokers long enough to follow her brother.

Zodiac saw his chance to annoy Tricky and instantly got his people organized, too.

Soon, all three clubs walked in one direction, searching for anything left behind by the killers. Rock understood this activity was pointless, but he didn’t say a fucking word. He knew Tricky and Zodiac were working angles with a single goal—forcing the Crimson Guard to back down and play second fiddle to their clubs.

An hour later, though, I’d gotten what I wanted from the exercise. Zodiac could behave, even if someone else was calling the shots. Tricky, though, wasn’t as patient. He gave up halfway through and said the entire thing was stupid.

I still wasn’t sure if the Black Rainbow MC staged the Rawlins' attack. However, if I were about to go to war with a shadowy group, I knew which club I’d rather have at my side, and it wasn’t run by my childhood friend.

IVY

The Sorority Housefelt oppressive when quiet. I peeked out of the room a few times, searching for activity. If Stevie or anyone else was around, I didn’t hear them.

Once I got the nervous dogs quieted down, I sat on Vanessa’s bed and tried to relax.

The walls were covered in sketches and water paintings. I recalled Clint saying his cousin was an artist with both a pencil and a wrench.

Her room was cluttered with clothes stacked everywhere. Several easels stood around the room with partially finished artwork on them.

Her Chihuahua sat in its dog bed, staring curiously at the others huddled around it. Porche looked at me like I was befouling her human’s safe space.

“It won’t be for long,” I told the dog as I stretched out in bed.

Unable to sleep, I kept thinking of Clint in the cold morning. Was he in danger? This part of his life scared me.

I finally turned on the TV and streamed episodes of “Charmed” until my eyes couldn’t stay open any longer. I dozed for a few hours, waking occasionally when a dog moved and its collar jingled.

Once the sun came up, I could no longer remain in bed. The dogs watched me as I used the adjoining bathroom. When I clicked my tongue, they came running for the door.

Bundled up in my jacket, I sat outside on a side deck while the dogs enjoyed the chilly morning. They were surprisingly rowdy, running back and forth. Finally, they wore themselves out and returned to me.

Soon, I made a pot of coffee in the high-end, pastel-infused kitchen. Finding a banana, I took my cup of caffeine to the quirky adjoining living room. The various colorful couches and chairs were jammed together to allow as much seating as possible.

I settled in the corner of a deep green couch and struggled with the quiet. As the dogs napped by the windows, I found more comfort shows to stream.

Around nine, a small SUV parked in front of the house. I peered outside to find an older woman exiting in black leggings and a dark gray shirt printed with a skull. Her gray-and-black hair was tied back with a red bandana. She wore dark eyeliner and bright red lipstick. I was surprised to see someone so made up so early in the day.

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