Page 65 of Lust

“Ivory.” I say her name and her eyes come back to mine. “You know I respect you more than that. You know deep down, that I would never let anyone disrespect you like that. Let alone be the cause of it.”

She still staring at me and I realized now the damage of me leaving her all those months ago. Because when I left, I casted doubt in her heart about us. About me.

“I’ll handle this.” I don’t know what else to tell her. How to reassure her. Because I know she isn’t going to believe me, and that was a kick in the stomach.

“I…” Her voice broke and then she shakes her head. “I just told Links so he can.”

I automatically take a step towards her. “This is my problem. And if you know what’s good for you baby girl, you’ll let me fucking handle it.”

“You don’t understand!” her voice goes up. “This could ruin my family. If someone got ahold of that and blackmailed one of my brothers or my dad, they would do anything to stop it from coming out. Anything. I can’t risk that on you!”

“It won’t ruin your family because I will handle it.”

She shakes her head. “Links will handle it.”

“I’ll fucking handle it.” I growl at her. “For damn fucking sake woman, listen to me when I say I had nothing to do with it. So you can trust me.”

“How long have you known Prince?” She challenges me.

“A decade.”

“How many times have you been to his house?”

“A lot.”

“And you are telling me, standing there, telling me, that you didn’t know that there were cameras.”

“Not in the fucking guest bedroom I didn’t! You think….” Nah I had to be wrong. “you really think I’m in on this, don’t you?” and the expression on her face told me, I wasn’t wrong. “I guess we have bigger problems than I thought. Cause if you think I would let someone else see you, the way I see you, in the bedroom. Then you don’t know me.” And I take a step towards her. “And if you don’t know me. We sure as fuck ain’t in a relationship. And there is no way in hell, you love me. Because you don’t know me.”

It hurts. Like acid had been poured on my heart, and I had gone most of my life, thinking I was heartless. But Ivory made my heart beat and now I knew she had the power to kill it as well.

She just stares at me, as tears swelled in my eyes. Because she doesn’t say anything. Then a clearing voice, made Ivory step away from the door. And I look away, pinching my eyes. Making sure the tears are gone before I look back at Ivory, to see Lincoln standing there.

“Can I have a word with Kace, Ivory?” Lincoln says, and whatever he has to say I’m not interested in hearing.

Ivory nods her head and heads back inside, not saying a word to me.

While Lincoln steps outside and closes the front door.

“Naturally we want this handled.” He said coolly to me. “Money is no object. So whatever we have to pay, I’ll pay.”

I scoffed. Perfect pretty Henderson’s, always thought their money would get them out of trouble.

“I said I’ll handle it.” I repeat myself from what I said to Ivory and I look at Lincoln. “By the end of the day, it will be dealt with.”

“Ivory doesn’t normally get freaked out but this man touched her, threatened her, insulted her.” Lincoln lists facts and I hadn’t known all of them.

“He touched her?” I hissed.

“Like I said. Ivory normally doesn’t get freaked out. For her to be concerned about this being handled. She has come to me. Which means. I need to know how you plan on handling this?”

I look Lincoln in the eyes. “You don’t want to know the details,” I stepped towards him. “because I’m guessing you like sleep. And what I’m planning on doing, won’t let you sleep at night knowing.”

I then glance back at the closed door. “Look after her will you.” I go to head back to my car.

“She defended you.” He says to my back, and I pause mid step. “I rubbished you down. But she defended you. So I’m saying this because I love my sister, and she clearly cares about you.” He paused and I glanced back at him. “Don’t walk away from her. She only gives one second shot.” He then turns heading back inside.

While Lincoln thought I still had a shot with Ivory, I didn’t. Because she didn’t know me. Or at least that was the impression she just gave me.

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