Page 73 of Clint & Ivy

“I’m going to be completely honest about your tiny girlfriend now, okay? Don’t cry if I hurt your feelings.” When I only frowned at him, he continued, “She isn’t built for this life. Even if she wanted to be a badass, she’s too damn little to get anything done. Just like Hanzee trying to fight a bigger dog, your girl’s bound to get squished. I suspect she’ll wake up one day and realize how she can’t be like your sister or the foxes.”

“I don’t need her to be.”

“No, I guess you don’t. But I think when she wakes up to the reality of your life and her weaknesses, she won’t be able to walk away. Because Ivy isn’t falling for a biker. She’s falling for you. Whatever you do will be enough to keep her.”

“Thanks,” I said and smiled at my dad. “It’s difficult to know what’s right when you’re inside the problem.”

“Just follow your gut. Years ago, there was no reason for me to get involved with your mom and make her a target. I should have kept my distance until things settled down. But I’m glad I was an asshole and did what I wanted. Your mom was a good mistake to make. I think this girl could be the same way for you.”

Ford’s words still lingered between us when Shay’s SUV pulled into the driveway. A weaker man would have leaped to his feet and rushed to Ivy’s door. That’s why I remained on the porch and let her come to me.

Her gaze seemed cagey at first, like she was trying to figure out my mood. I was a little offended by how she didn’t trust me. After all, I was the guy who wrapped her up in his protection as soon as we met.

Three days ago...

I kept forgetting that part. We were new. That’s why I hadn’t thought about taking the truck this morning. Switching gears in life took time. Ivy didn’t know me well enough to truly trust me.

“How was the doctor?” I asked, guiding her into the house and away from my parents and Elle.

“I was born with a faulty heart,” she blurted out. “I needed surgeries.” Ivy gripped the front of her shirt and stared panicked into my eyes. “I have scars. I thought my heart was still bad, and I couldn’t be with you.”

Her words made my own heart beat too fast. I thought of her on the back of my motorcycle and how I had her walking to the buffet.Had I been pushing her too hard from the moment we met?

“That’s why my mom kept me hidden away. She said I was too fragile to live a normal life,” Ivy said before her eyes widened and she bounced on her heels. “But the doctor said my heart looks okay. I’ll need to go in for regular checkups like I did before Geraldine died. But otherwise, I’m okay.”

Still processing her announcement, I asked, “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I wanted to be normal,” Ivy said, losing her excited vibe. “After Geraldine died, I got my tattoo. I used online courses to learn kickboxing. I pushed myself, but I was still stuck at the mansion. Now, I can be normal.”

Unable to shake my worry, I wanted to ask my mom if Ivy was okay. I worried the woman in front of me could be lying to get what she wanted. And as much as I wanted to give Ivy a fun life where she could be whoever she wanted to be, keeping her safe was more important. I couldn’t be an accessory to her death.

“What exactly did the doctor do?”

“A bunch of tests on my heart. He said everything looked okay.”

“Did he say those words?”

Ivy hesitated and studied me. “He said I should be able to live a normal life.”

“Should but not will?”

Ivy was already a petite woman, but she got downright tiny when I refused to bow to the doctor’s wisdom. I was ready to apologize, even if I’d mostly be lying. I had a right to be worried.Ivy was my woman.I wanted to grow old with her.

Before I spoke, Ivy stopped shrinking and stood tall. “Your mom said you have scars. Someone stabbed you.”

“Yeah,” I muttered, wondering where this was going.

“Your life is dangerous, but you want me to accept that’s how you choose to live. Why can’t you trust me in the same way?”

“It’s not the same thing.”

“That’s true. Your thing is worse. You choose a dangerous job and lifestyle. I had no say in being born prematurely with a faulty heart.”

“No, I suppose you didn’t,” I murmured, taking a long gaze at her small yet sexy body. “But would you really want a man who didn’t worry about his woman?”

Ivy offered a little smile before thinking I was tricking her. “I don’t want to hide anymore. Being with you makes me happy, but I can’t have you lock me away for my own good.”

“Are you really worried about that after I’ve spent days forcing you to meet people and get out of the condo?”

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