CHAPTER 50: YOU RUINED ME

The tears finally broke free, hot streaks down her face. "I was supposed to meet Joey at his parents’ house. But I stopped by a bar instead. I drowned myself until the world blurred, and I lost him because of you. Because of your lies. Your secrets. Your betrayal." She looked at him through her tears. "You ruined me."

Tom moved closer to his daughter, his shadow stretching under the streetlight, and grabbed her by the arm roughly. His grip was iron. "If you breathe a word about this to your mother or brother..."

Sylvia jerked her arm free. "What? What will you do? There is nothing more you can do to hurt me. Besides," she said, straightening her coat, chin high, "I would never break Mom’s heart like that." Her words landed like a slap, and before he could respond, she spun on her heel and stormed back toward the compound.

The driver waiting by the car immediately straightened, sensing the tension radiating from her. She yanked open the door and slid into the backseat, fighting back the tears clawing their way up her throat. She stared out the window, her reflection distorted. She would get Joey back by herself or die trying.

She didn’t care if she had to ruin his marriage to have him—she would do it, and she would do it without her father’s poison staining her plan.

*****

Ivy stepped out of her house into the cool night air. She tied her robe tighter around herself as she carried the trash bag. Her pulse spiked wildly when headlights swept across her driveway and a Maybach pulled in.

The moment Winn stepped out, his jacket hugging his shoulders, Ivy’s heart somersaulted into her throat. "Mr. Kane!" she gasped, startled, clutching the trash bag tighter than necessary. The damn thing split at the corner, a soda can rolling onto the driveway.

"Excited to see me, uhn?" Winn’s smile was all wolfish charm.

Her face heated instantly, and she stammered. "What? No! No! I mean... yes—I mean..." She pressed her lips together, mortified. Why did her tongue always betray her in his presence?

Winn tilted his head, clearly enjoying her fluster.

Ivy took a deep breath, tossing the trash bag into the bin and dusting her hands off. She faced him with forced composure. "Let me start all over again. What are you doing here?"

Winn found her flustering quite cute—endearing even—and a slow smile tugged at his lips. He wanted to tease her mercilessly.

"I came to invite you on a date," he said casually.

Ivy nearly choked. Her eyes went wide. "A...a date?" she echoed. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. "Is that something we are supposed to do?"

Ivy’s heart was sprinting.

"I was invited to dinner with a couple," Winn continued smoothly, stepping a little closer. "And I didn’t want to be a third wheel, so I told them I would be bringing a friend. That friend is you. In case that wasn’t clear."

She drew in a shaky breath, forcing a smile that didn’t hide her nerves. "Oh...okay...right. We can do that. Um...you want to come in for coffee?"

Winn’s mouth curved. He was about to say, How about more than coffee?—the line sliding smoothly into place in his mind—when the sharp interruption came.

"Babe!"

Ivy stiffened. She turned around to find Steve approaching, all smiles, with a cheap bouquet of flowers clutched in his hand.

Oh great. The ex-boyfriend.

Winn’s eyes flicked from Ivy’s face to Steve, and then down to the flowers. He exhaled slowly, an audible sigh. "I’ll pick you up at 8 tomorrow," he said firmly, leaving no room for argument. He turned on his heel and walked back toward his car, movements sleek and controlled.

He stalled just long enough, leaning against the door of his car, to watch Steve lean in and press a kiss against Ivy’s cheek. Winn’s fingers tightened around his keys.

Ivy forced a smile as she accepted the bouquet of roses from Steve. The petals were soft against her fingers. "Hi," she said softly. She took a last glance over Steve’s shoulder, watching Winn’s car slip down the street. She hadn’t wanted him to leave.

Steve studied her face with careful curiosity. "I just wanted to check in on you," he said, offering her that old familiar smile—the one that used to melt her. "You’ve been so busy with the new job. How are you doing?"

Ivy tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, I am going back to House of Kane on Monday," she replied. "That was my boss."

Steve’s brow arched. "Your boss comes to your house to personally give you the news?" His eyebrow rose higher, his eyes narrowing just slightly. "That’s unusual."

Her pulse spiked. Of course it sounded strange when he said it out loud. She pushed her shoulders back and forced nonchalance into her voice. "They weren’t able to reach me on the phone," she said quickly, glancing at the front door as if it might save her from the conversation.

"I have to get back in. Is there anything else you need?"

"Well...You haven’t given me a day for our date yet, Ivy. Are you trying to blow me off? I promised to behave."

Her stomach twisted. "Next week, okay?" she promised, forcing a smile she didn’t feel.

"Alright," Steve said easily. He leaned in, and pressed a light kiss to her cheek. Ivy kept her smile plastered on. "I’ll call to confirm." With that, he gave a casual wave and strolled away, leaving her clutching the roses.

*****

When Winn got home, the quiet of the house unsettled him. He pushed open the door, tossing his keys into the dish by habit, only to stop short at the sight of Sylvia curled up on the sofa. Her face was streaked with tears, mascara smudged under her eyes. She didn’t even lift her head when he entered.

Winn’s chest tightened instantly. Protective instinct slammed through him. His little sister. He hurried across the room, crouching down beside the sofa so his face was level with hers. "Hey, sis... what’s up?"