Ivy.

Julian moved into our house days later, and just as I expected, Clarissa was ecstatic about it. She wouldn't stop gushing and following him around, acting like a little child that had been handed their favorite toy. I won't deny it - I was very envious watching them like that - but I did my best to ignore them, going about my life and acting like they didn't matter.

I found it strange they didn't immediately start sharing a room but concluded it must be because they hadn't tied the knot fully. That gave me a measure of relief. That would have been the push that would have driven me over the edge.

The very next night, my mother threw a party to celebrate. People filled our house, celebrating the newest couple in town. My mother was all smiles, arms linked with Julian as she paraded him around the living room, talking with the guests. I sat in a corner, a bottle of liquor in my hands, completely invisible as I watched and drank, my jealousy and hatred mixing within to become a truly vile concoction.

Occasionally, Julian and I would hold gazes, and the smile on his face would drop. I just looked away, pouring more liquor into my system. Now wasn't the time to confront him. If he wanted to play father, I wanted to see how far he was willing to take it. If I couldn't make him want me, at least I could make him squirm.

Later that night, when I had the chance, I took his number from my mother's phone and saved it. I had been doing some research about him but hadn't found much on the internet other than the fact that he was a wealthy businessman. Sitting at an obscure point in the room, I brought out my phone and texted him:

I: I miss you... I typed, then clicked send.

It took him a while to bring out the phone from his pocket, but he did so, swiping the screen and stiffening slightly. His gaze darted around before landing on me. Seeing the phone in my hands, I watched him clench his jaw. With a deep breath, he put the phone back in his pocket and continued speaking with the guests.

I: So, you're not going to ask who this is? I sent another text, hating its pathetic tone.

Watching him grow uncomfortable, he excused himself from the group he was with and brought out his phone. The three bubbles appearing on my private chat told me he was responding to me.

J: How did you get my number?

I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

I: You're seriously asking that? It's easy now. All I need to do is go through my mother's phone. Welcome to the family.

More of those bubbles.

J: What do you want?

I: I missed you. I want you. I wrote. Clicked send.

There was a delay this time around. When I looked at him from across the room, he was still looking at his phone, perhaps too scared to look at me.

J: You know that's not possible anymore. I'm engaged to your mother.

I: You're still engaged, not married. I think you can play around a bit.

I watched him scratch his hair, feeling a dark satisfaction at seeing him so restless. He soon began texting furiously.

J: Play around with my fiancée's daughter? That would be too much of a scandal.

I smirked as I replied.

I: It won't be if no one knows about it. Don't you want me too? You found it hard to resist me that night. Even now, you can't stop staring at me.

J: Please, Ivy, stop doing this. Don't contact me again.

Just then, my mother walked up to him, and he placed the phone back into his pocket, giving her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. They talked for a bit, and she led him back to the party. I decided I was done. But there was still one more thing to do.

I waited until he held eye contact with me again. And I smiled at him. It wasn't kind. It wasn't gentle. It was a calculated, manipulative one - the kind that said, "You're stuck with me now." Only then did I rise to my feet, finish the alcohol in the bottle, and amble all the way to my room, feeling the peculiar heat of his gaze on me.

I landed on my bed and, thanks to the alcohol in my system, fell into a dreamless slumber. When I awoke, it was late in the morning and to a pounding headache. I groaned, gripping my head as if I could somehow stop the assault to my senses. After gaining a semblance of control, I went to the bathroom to freshen up and dressed, ready to go out.

With my hair flowing freely over my shoulders and my favorite shade of red lipstick on, I checked my outfit in the mirror. Simple, yet sexy. Exactly the look I was going for. Packing up my bag, I headed out of the room to the dining area where I met my mother and Julian.

She was grinning at something Julian said, but they both stopped when they saw me approach. My mom immediately frowned, raising a questioning gaze at my outfit.

"Where are you going, young lady?" she asked as I filled my plate with waffles and some cut-up fruits.

"I'm going to look for a job," I answered as I poured syrup all over my waffles, then sat down. Julian had begun staring at me with an indescribable look on his face.

"Where?" my mom pressed.

"I don't know. Anywhere it's available." The atmosphere dropped ten degrees, the air becoming stifled as they both stared at me.

"How are you going to move around then?" Julian finally asked, and I glanced at him, still munching on my waffles.

"I'll take a taxi."

He furrowed his brows. "You don't have a car?"

"No... I sold it. Needed the funds," I muttered.

My mother blanched, growing uncomfortable. She'd never provided anything for me before, and with the image she had created for herself, this revelation might cause a huge dent. I didn't care. I was enjoying this way too much.

Julian, on the other hand, seemed uncomfortable with the idea of me moving around in a taxi. But I wasn't done.

"Also, I need cab money. Anyone here mind borrowing me some cash?"

"You don't have?" Julian asked, sounding stunned.

"No, I've run out of that too," I said, leaning back in my chair. My mother was glaring furiously at me. I wished I could smile back.

"You can take my car..." he started to offer, but I cut him off.

"No, thanks. I don't want anything from you. I would appreciate it if you borrowed me some money, though. I'll be sure to pay it back once I get a job."

"I think I have some money in my bag..." my mother started to say when Julian slapped something on the table. He pulled his hands away, and I saw it was a black card. I straightened up in my seat. He didn't look at Clarissa once as he slid the card across the table.

"The pin is 6745. You can use it. And no need to pay me back," he muttered in a gruff voice. I looked at him, shocked, but quickly recovered, snatching the card off the table.

"Thanks, J," I said, smiling at him as I stood to my feet. He mumbled a response I didn't quite catch, and I returned my mother's silent glare with a wink, sashaying out of the house.

The moment the door closed behind me, I stared at the card once more, feeling my heart pound. There was going to be so much money in this... I bit back a squeal. So much money. So much power.

Oh... I'm going to be having so much fun with this.

Ivy.

I did originally set out to look for a job, but when everywhere I was applying to didn't have any openings and no one was hiring, I decided to go shopping instead. I boarded a taxi to the most expensive mall I could find and spent hours perusing stores, buying a lot of extravagant things-whether or not I needed them.

Though a part of me felt guilty for being so wasteful, it didn't take long for me to ignore that feeling and focus on the adrenaline rush buying things always gave me. I spent a pretty penny on newer clothes, even going as far as getting lingerie, latex, and finally, sex toys. Satisfied with the amount of things I had gotten, I packed all my bags and headed home.

My mother was around the moment I arrived. One look at the sheer amount of shopping bags I was holding, and she immediately started fuming. She didn't even let me enter the house before she began yelling at me.

"How dare you spend so recklessly!" she screeched, all in my face. "Julian gives you his card out of the goodness of his heart and you do this?!"

I scoffed, and she hit my face before pulling at my hair, making me wince. "Let me go!" I gritted through my teeth, trying to dislodge her grip. It took a while, but I finally managed to get rid of it.

"Need I remind you, it was Julian who gave me his card? I didn't ask for it. I'm sure he must have seen all of my transactions. If he didn't have a problem with it, why are you so concerned?!" I snapped at her, and her eyes widened.

She tried to raise her hand at me again, but I caught it mid-air. "You wench! Don't think I don't know what you're doing! You better not come between me and Julian, or else-!"

"Or else what?" I yelled at her, cutting her off. Throwing her hand away, I let out a delirious chuckle. "You'll ship me off to Russia? Oh please, at this point, I think I'll appreciate it." Taking a couple of steps toward her, I stared her down. "Unlike you, I have nothing to lose. I'm not the one with a dirty money-laundering secret disguised as charity and more scandalous pasts!"

Running a hand through her well-made hair, I gripped her chin, watching as her eyes flared with anger and something that looked suspiciously like fear. "So, if you don't want me screaming to the press about your ugly past, just keep your mouth shut and enjoy the show."

Clarissa paled, opening her mouth to speak, but no words would come out, so she snapped it shut. Exactly what I wanted. I bit back the smile budding on my face-now isn't the time yet. "I will return the card to Julian when he asks for it," I murmured, letting every distaste I felt for her seep into my voice. Pulling my hand away, I picked up the shopping bags and headed straight to my room.

I dumped them on the ground, locked the door behind me, and started arranging everything I had gotten. Then brought out the lingerie set and dildo I had purchased, walked straight to the mirror, and placed the clothing on my body, assessing it. A devious smile appeared on my lips.

Time for the real show to begin.

.

.

.

Dinner that night was tense, with everyone glancing furtive looks at each other, unspoken questions hovering like a cloud. I ignored everything, focusing on the meal before me. Finally, Julian cleared his throat.

"How was your job hunt?" he asked with a deep voice, his gaze fixed on me. I took a bite from my mashed potatoes, then glanced at him.

"Uneventful," I muttered as I swallowed. Dabbing my mouth clean with a tissue, I leaned back in my seat. "No one was hiring."

"Better luck next time," he said, and I nodded, going back to my meal. Clarissa exchanged glances between us, a look of confusion on her face. Then, in an attempt to bring the attention back to her, she scooted close to Julian, interlinking her arms with his.

"Babe..." she murmured in a sultry voice, giving him a saccharine smile. He glanced at her, still chewing.

"Hmm?"

"Have you thought of our wedding date yet?" she asked, leaning her chin. I saw him stiffen subtly, but he managed a grave smile.

"Whatever day you feel is comfortable is fine with me. I'm not in a rush."

Clarissa didn't look too pleased with the answer he gave her, but she tried to hide it with a smile-and to be honest, I almost chuckled. She looked like a spoiled kid who always wanted to be the center of attention all the time. I finished my meal and dropped the spoon with a decisive sound.

"I'm tired. I would like to go and rest," I announced, pulling back my chair. Julian watched me as I stood to my feet.

"Okay. Have a good night," he murmured. I lingered for a bit, hoping he would ask for his card back, but when he didn't say anything, I started to leave.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" my mother's voice suddenly broke through, and I stopped, turning my head to face her.

"Am I?"

She glared at me, narrowing her eyes. "Oh... Right! Your card!" I announced in a stunned manner, rushing back to the dining table.

"By the way, thank you for lending me your card, Sir Ashford. I'm sure you must have seen it, but I did some shopping with it. I hope you don't mind. I'll pay you back," I said, pulling the card from my shirt, where it was tucked inside my bra, and slapping it on the table.

My mother's mouth fell open in shock, and Julian looked stunned. He stared at the card, pressing his lips into a thin line, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

"Keep it," he growled, his voice uncharacteristically low.

"Really?" I perked up like an excited kid, my hands already curling around the card.

"Yes," he muttered, his voice tight, briefly holding my gaze.

"Okay... Thank you!" I announced and happily skipped to my room, leaving my mother dumbstruck. Yeah, that's how you do it.

I waited for my mother to confront me afterward just like she did in the morning, but when it didn't happen, I moved on to the next phase. After having a quick shower, I dried off the water from my body and spent a great deal of time priming my skin. Satisfied with the way I looked, I brought out a lingerie set and put it on. A quick assessment in the mirror, and I took a couple of sultry and seductive pictures with it.

After confirming that Julian had indeed retired to his room, I started texting him.

I: Hey. Want to see the things I bought?

Clicking send, I lay on the bed, waiting for his response.He'd better respond... because if he didn't, this whole act would crumble into embarrassment. It took a while, but the typing notification soon popped up.

J: I thought I told you not to contact me again!? Also, what was that stunt you pulled in the dining room this evening?!

If Julian could send emojis, I probably would be receiving a ton of them right now.

I: I'm sorry about that. I wanted to keep your card safe. My mother fought with me for it.

J: Really?

I: Yes. Anyway, do you want to see the things I bought? I took pictures.

J: No, I don't want to.

I sent him the pictures of me posing in the lingerie anyway and grinned when the marker indicated he had viewed them.

I: Like it? I thought of you when picking them.

J: Ivy, stop this.

I: I got some more things too.

There was a delay in his response, but soon enough, he began to type.

J: What else did you get?

I: A dildo.

I sent him a picture of that too.

I: I like to think it's the same size as you-though I can't be too sure. My memory of that night is hazy. It was rather erotic purchasing it with your money. I'll be thinking about you when I use it tonight. Have a good night.

Then I sent kissing emojis and dropped the phone, smiling to myself.

I'd already dropped the bait.

Let's see if he'll catch it.

Julian.

I couldn't stop staring at the messages between me and Ivy, my heart pounding in my chest, my entire body fraught with tension. I couldn't believe she could be so brazen, playing her cards like that. And the worst part is, I liked it.

The sultry pictures she had sent had my hands twitching and my mind angry, yet my body raged with desire and I was almost tempted to jerk off to them.

Control yourself, Julian, I scolded myself, gritting my teeth. She's your best friend's daughter.

But he's dead, another voice whispered, persuasive. Still, I shouldn't be having thoughts like this about her. I should be protecting her, not trying to sleep with her. I'm stronger than this.

Am I?

A knock came on the door, and I turned toward it. Turning off my phone, I schooled my features and told the person behind the door to come in. The door opened, and Clarissa peeked her head in first.

"Hey..." she called out cautiously, a hesitant smile on her face. The tension seizing my body immediately eased when I saw it wasn't Ivy. She walked in fully, and I saw she was dressed in a flimsy nightdress that left little to the imagination, hugging whatever curves she might have left. I almost frowned, feeling repulsed.

Since this little skirmish with Ivy had begun, any little attraction I had felt for Clarissa had vanished into thin air. It didn't help that in the past, she used to be all over Edward, Ivy's father, so I barely felt any pull. To me, she was just a close acquaintance, someone I knew. Her daughter, however...

Snap out of it, Julian!

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" I asked as she walked toward me, her gaze darting around the bedroom. She glanced at me, a slight flush staining her cheeks as she wrapped her hands around herself.

"Oh, I couldn't sleep, so I came to see you. Seems like you aren't either." She muttered, delivering a sultry smile. I pressed my lips together, keeping my distaste under cover. Taking a step back, I slipped a hand into my pocket. She kept moving closer until just inches separated us. Tilting her head to the side, she continued in a lower, more seductive tone.

"I was hoping you could keep me company tonight."

Her fingers reached to stroke my chest, but I tensed, shifting in discomfort. "Thanks for the offer, but no. You see, I have some work to do. It's rather important and has been piling up for some time." I said, keeping my tone even and respectful.

A slight frown appeared on her face at my words, and she straightened. "Still with that monk attitude, Julian?" she muttered sarcastically.

I let out a scoff, a corner of my lips curling into something that wasn't a smile. If only she knew the things that got me hard.

She tried again, pressing her entire palm on my chest and toying with the buttons. "You know I can make you feel good, right?" she murmured in a seductive whisper.

"I have no doubt that you can," I said, pulling her hands away from my chest. "I'm just not in the mood right now."

Clarissa was visibly disappointed as she let her hands fall to her sides. I hated myself a bit for causing such a reaction from her but immediately made it up by discussing other things instead. After a while, she announced she would like to go back to her room. I ushered her out, locked the door behind her, and rested my head on it. Letting out a sigh, I brought out my phone and unlocked it.

Ivy's pictures popped up again. And then I stared.

Longer than I should have.

Groaning, I closed my eyes.

By God's bones, I am fucked.

.

.

.

Morning arrived, and I tried to pretend like nothing had happened, even if I didn't get any sleep. Clarissa had joined me at the dining table for breakfast, and we were mid-conversation when Ivy sauntered in, wearing a short sundress, her hair hanging loose over her shoulders, and her face beat to perfection. She looked absolutely gorgeous with the bright smile she gave to everyone before settling into her seat.

"Good morning, everyone!" she called out cheerfully, pouring herself a cup of tea. I mumbled a response, but when I glanced at her mother, she had a disdainful look on her face. Ivy ignored it as usual, waiting for the maid to serve her breakfast, and immediately dug in.

I went back to my food, my mind still replaying the conversations I had with her. For some damned reason, the image of Ivy in that damn lingerie wouldn't leave my mind, no matter how hard I tried to shut it down. Needing a distraction, I glanced at her when the silence became too heavy.

"Are you going job hunting again today?" I asked, and she glanced at me, licking the syrup off her fork.

"No, not really. I think I'll continue my job hunt online," she answered as she dove into her sausage.

"Okay..." I murmured. Just then, my phone dinged, and I looked at it. It was a cryptic message from one of my informants.

"We've found the base," it read, and I tensed, my eyes narrowing.

"Is everything alright?" Clarissa's voice broke through, and I glanced at her.

"Yes. I have to go now," I said, rising to my feet and grabbing my phone and keys. Walking toward Clarissa, I kissed her forehead. "I'll see you later."

She beamed at me, but I was already exchanging looks with Ivy, who wore an expression of pure disgust. Straightening to my full height, I turned around and left the house.

In my car, I called my informant, placing my earpods in my ears. "Give me details. What exactly did you find?" I asked, driving across streets as I made my way to the highway.

"Well, I found our target's base here in Vegas. He owns a large warehouse, and he uses it as a base to store and transport hard drugs and illegal ammunition."

My hands tightened on the wheel as I clenched my teeth in rage.

"From the information I've gathered, he may be present in the area today."

"Okay. Give me the directions and have my men meet me there," I ordered, my voice like steel.

"Yes, sir," he answered, then ended the call. I brought my attention back to the road as I rolled onto the highway, pressing on the gas. Finally, the day of reckoning is here. After twenty years of hunting him down, I finally get to finish this once and for all. I began to drum my fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, anger and anticipation filling my system.

Luther sent me the details, and I immediately followed them, arriving at the warehouse-only to find it completely empty. Stunned, I rolled my car to a stop, looking around me. Did I miss my way? I crosschecked with the map. This was indeed the place. Why was there no one here? No cargo? Nothing?

My men arrived in their Range Rovers a while later, and I stepped out of the car. All armed and suited up, their faces mirrored the exact same shock I was feeling. I walked around for a bit, noticing the truck tracks littering the ground. I lowered myself, touching them. Still fresh.

They had just left. Suddenly. Did they know we were coming?

I directed the men to look around, cocked my gun, and walked into the warehouse, searching the space myself. A good number returned. They hadn't found anything or anyone.

"There's nothing here, boss," one said, his voice tinged with disappointment. This stupid game of cat and mouse all over again.

I kept looking anyway, eventually breaking into the control room in the warehouse. There, I found monitors left behind-though all except one had been smashed in and destroyed.

My heart pounding, I stealthily made my way into the room, looking around for any cameras. I raised my gun, a finger pressed against the trigger, poised for attack. Holding my breath, I flinched when the lone monitor began to flicker, turning on. Goosebumps rose on my skin, my blood growing cold.

A sentence appeared on its flickering screen: "The head you're looking for doesn't have a face. Valkaryon is everywhere."

Then, just as instantly, it flickered off-and beeping sounds filled the space, growing faster by the second.

"Boss, get down!" someone screamed behind me, and I ducked just as the monitor exploded, self-destructing, fragments flying everywhere, the smell of burning appliances assaulting my nose. My heart thundered, my ears ringing. I looked on, shocked.

What the-!?