Page 21 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
I grab some berries and Greek yogurt for Ivy, then make omelets for me and Bobbi. I’ve lost weight and need to regain it. Can’t be underweight and weak when the killer comes for Ivy next time. Or maybe he’ll come back in a car again. He’s not that creative. I’m definitely going to need more than a body to block it.
“What are you planning to do today?” I ask Ivy, even though I think she’s most likely going to practice—she hasn’t touched the Steinway in two weeks. Or maybe cuddle like we did last night.
“I need to get in touch with Yuna.”
“About what?” I ask, trying to hide my disappointment. Not that I want her to spend time only with me, but it’s been barely twenty-four hours since she came back. I’m feeling extraordinarily possessive at the moment.
“Need to let her know I’m not upset with her anymore.” Ivy sighs. “I called her a bitch.”
I pat her hand, hating that I’m the underlying reason for Ivy and Yuna’s unhappiness. “She understands why you did that. She doesn’t blame you.” If she blames anyone, it’s probably me. Still, she was devastated, and Ivy reaching out should help.
“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean I should let things stand the way they are between us. What happened really changed things for me. Life can be so short, and I shouldn’t put off something I can take care of immediately.”
She finishes her breakfast and goes to get her phone, leaving Bobbi and me with our eggs.
“Might be one good thing to come out of last night,” Bobbi says.
“Like what?” The bastard hasn’t been arrested yet. I would’ve heard.
“She’s letting go of her anger. She’s realizing what happened isn’t like what she thought. It’s good for you.”
“No,” I say. “I would’ve much rather she made me grovel than to have her experience that. You didn’t see her face, Bobbi. She was so pale. Terrified. I thought she was really injured.”
“But she wasn’t.” Bobbi chews her omelet and swallows. “Ivy’s more resilient than you think. She isn’t going to break over every little hardship. Have faith she’ll be all right. If you worry and hover over her all the time, you’ll end up stifling her. And I know that isn’t what you want.”
“Of course not. And I don’t hover over her.” Not that I recall. “Do I?”
She snorts. “It’s like she’s this fragile, priceless antique that’s going to break if you breathe too hard.”
Bobbi’s answer surprises me. I don’t think I’m that bad. Or, at least, I thought I was doing a pretty good job of hiding it.
“I’ve been watching over her all this time. Unlike a lot of idiots I’ve had to guard, she’s not some crazy drama queen. And she really loves you. She wouldn’t be here if she didn’t. She genuinely wants everything to go back the way it was.”
“Thanks, Bobbi.” Going back to the way things were would be difficult. I’ve seen how futile the effort was with Mother. But this is what Ivy wants. I’m going to do my best to make it work.
“Call ’em like I see ’em.”
“I know you’ve had a hard day, so if you want to take it easy and nap or something, that’s fine,” I say.
“I’m all right.”
“You’re craning your neck. Did you take the muscle relaxant?”
She makes an expression of pure disgust. “No. That shit makes me sluggish. Why can’t they come up with something that lets me stay sharp?”
“Hard to be relaxed and sharp.” If she didn’t take anything for pain, she probably didn’t get much sleep last night. “Take a nap or something. I don’t need you sluggish from exhaustion. I’ll let you know if Ivy’s going out. Otherwise, I plan to keep her home.”
“Got it. But seriously, don’t worry about me. I know how to handle myself. Let me go check things with Ivy first.” She vanishes upstairs.
After I load everything into the dishwasher and make myself another cup of coffee, I get a text from Harry. Okay if I visit?
That’s strange. He generally just comes by when he wants, instead of asking permission. Just like how he decided to make himself at home here over the last two weeks because he figured somebody needed to watch over me. At least he had the sense to leave us alone yesterday. Today? I text.
Yeah. I want to say hi to Ivy. Didn’t really get to say anything to her yesterday.
Hmm. Don’t really want him here at the moment. Seeing him might remind Ivy of the lie he participated in. But he did help out by dragging Mother away. Speaking of which, I need to talk to him about why she was here. Being disowned means she has no reason to be in touch with me. I could sort of understand Father wanting to see me, because most of his disappointment with me was driven by the wedge between me and Mother. But her?
How about in an hour or so?By then, Ivy may be out with Yuna. It’ll make it easier for me to discuss Mother with him.
