My head dips against hers as I collapse onto my forearms, catching my breath. I'm trying to think of a way to destroy this sickness between us when a knock sounds at the door.

Ivy blinks up at me, eyes heavy and face glowing. So fucking beautiful. Why does she have to look this way? Such a beautiful little liar.

The knock comes again, and I growl.

"What is it?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, sir," Marco answers. "But there are guests waiting for you downstairs. Jackson and Colette Van der Smit. He asked to speak with both of you."

A gust of air leaves Ivy's lips as she looks up at me pleadingly. "Can we talk to them? Please?"

I pull out of her, watching my come leak down her thighs with satisfaction. For now, I suppose the interrogation will have to wait.

"Get dressed."

20

Ivy

Santiago has one hand wrapped around my arm as we descend the stairs.

I glance at him. The way he’s holding me is almost his brand of affection, I think. The only way he knows to be. This is as close as he’ll come to actually holding my hand. I almost have to smile, but he looks too wretched, so I stop and turn to him. Before he can ask what I’m doing, I pull free and link my hand with his.

He appears almost startled, but he’s quick to school his features, and I wonder what is going on inside his head as he looks at the knots of our fingers. When he shifts his gaze to me, I want to ask him what happened. Because I’m sure he’s been to see my brother. Did he hurt Abel? Or did Abel spin some story, make up some lie to cover his ass? Is that the cause of this strange look on his face? This uncertainty. Because Santiago is always certain even when he’s wrong.

A cough comes from the foot of the stairs, and Santiago blinks, banishing any emotion. We both turn to find Antonia standing there.

“They’re in the sitting room, sir.”

“Why not the formal living room?” he asks as we get to the bottom of the stairs, and he unwinds his fingers from mine.

I clasp my own hands, disappointed.

“Mr. Van Der Smit wanted to be assured you’d have complete privacy.”

Santiago sighs. “Fine.” He takes my arm again and leads me toward the sitting room. When he opens the door, we find Jackson standing at the window that overlooks the eastern side of the garden. Colette is sitting on the couch with a shopping bag at her feet. She looks anxious.

“Ivy!” She jumps to her feet, her rounded belly looking even bigger than before. I do the math. She’s due any day now.