Page 124 of Ink Me Three Times

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He exhales hard. “Does she seem serious?”

“She said she’s filing. She’s not screwing around.”

Another pause. I hear the shift in his voice before he even speaks again. That tight coil of panic and dread. “I’ll handle it.”

“Okay, good. We’ll deal with your clients today.”

I hang up.

Outside, Trina is still leaning against the wall, sipping her coffee like it’s a damn morning latte and not the opening move in a custody war.

I want to punch something. But instead, I press my back against the door, close my eyes, and pray to whatever might be listening.

Because this?

This could get ugly…

The bag swings back like it’s pissed at me, and I slam into it again. Hard.

My shoulder screams, but I don’t stop.

Bam.

Bam.

Bam.

Leather hits canvas. Over and over. Knuckles raw, sweat pouring, heartbeat pounding in my ears loud as war drums.

I picture Trina’s face. That smug smile. The way she said “I have rights”.

Hell no.

I hit the bag harder. Let it all out, the helplessness, the rage, the fear I saw in Mitchell’s eyes before he lost it. The way Freddie sounded on the phone, trying so hard to hold it together for Penny when he’s clearly unraveling inside.

Another punch.

Another.

One more.

The bag groans on its chain. My breathing’s ragged now, jaw clenched so tight it hurts. I let my arms drop. Rest my forehead against the cool vinyl and try to get my shit together.

That’s when my phone buzzes in the locker behind me.

I ignore it for a second. Then another buzz. And another.

Fine.

I grab my phone, swipe the screen. And then my stomach drops.

Ivy: Can we talk? I need to tell you something.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Ivy

I tellJesse it’s just a check up.

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