Bray's Point Of View
It had been a few days, since Ivy's encounter, with an old dealer, of hers. She was doing pretty good, I noticed every now and then, she'd get pretty cranky, but that's to be expected, she usually snaps out of it, pretty quickly for the most part. I know this is a very tough ordeal that Ivy is going through, but she's a very strong woman, I know she may not think that of herself, but I'll make her realize, just how strong and powerful of a woman she is.
I heard the crash of the thunder outside, the storm was getting pretty bad, and I was just laying in bed, partially waiting for the power to go out, it always does, when we have a bad storm, and this one was one of the worst we've had in a long time.
I heard a knock on the door, and looked over to the door. "Come in." I yelled, propping myself up on my elbow.
I saw the door open slowly, and Ivy peek her head in the door. "Umm, hey." Ivy said, biting her lip.
I didn't expect to see you tonight!
"Are you alright little one?" I raised a brow, sitting up in my bed.
"Well, I, I can't sleep." Ivy admitted, shuddering when she saw the lightening outside. "I'm not real big on storms, I don't really know how to say this." Ivy shook her head, looking down.
"What is it?, you know you can ask me anything." I smiled.
"I know, umm, can I sleep in here?" Ivy bit her lip. "I don't like to be alone, when it storms."
You don't even have to ask, little one!
"Sure, come on." I smiled, moving the covers so she could jump in.
"Thank you." Ivy smiled, and stepped completely inside my room, shutting the door behind her, making her way to my bed, she climbed him, jumping into my arms, when there was a loud crash of thunder. "I'm sorry." Ivy shook her head.
"Don't be, it's okay." I smiled, putting my arms around her.
"I feel like such a big baby, I've always been scared of storms, you'd of thought I'd of out grown it by now." Ivy shook her head.
"Oh, there is nothing wrong with fear, you just can't let it control you." I said, running my hands through her hair.
"Yeah, it's times like these, I would pop a couple Oxy, and everything would be better, I wouldn't be so scared, it'd take the fear away." Ivy shook her head, clinging to me tightly as another deafening clap of thunder shook the house.
You don't need to do that, not any more!
I held her tighter to my body, I could tell this really scared her, I could feel her heart beating furiously, and could hear the slight whimper she gave off. "You don't need that stuff, it doesn't take away the fear, it just masks it, you have me, it's just a storm, it's not going to hurt you, why are you so scared if you don't mind me asking?" I looked down to her.
"I've always been scared of storms, since I was a little girl, but it got 10 times worse, after the last time I got taken away from my mom and dad, my dad went to prison, for armed robbery, he was trying to take care of us, he kept losing his job, and he thought that's the only way he could support me, my brother, and my mother, he got caught and ." Ivy shook her head, and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself as another loud crash sounded outside. "My mother fell apart, she started drinking, and she got behind the wheel one night, and passed out at the wheel, and went off a bridge, she was trashed when she left the house, I begged her not to leave, but she did, my father ended up getting into a fight in prison, and got killed a few months later, no one on either side of my family would take us, so me and my brother got separated, my brother still tried to see me for years, but we ended up getting bounced from foster home to foster home, and we lost track of each other." Ivy shook her head. "I was about 11, when there was a huge storm, I was at my 2nd foster 3rd foster home, it was a huge farm, and the oldest boy, was 16 and he thought it was funny that I was 11, and still scared of storms, so while the foster parents were out, he locked me out side, I was so scared, I had no where to run, the barn was locked, the shed was locked, I remember hearing something crack, and then everything went black. It turns out that a tree branch broke off, and flew directly into me, knocking me out, after that I became extremely terrified of storms, I just hate them."
That's awful, some people can be so cruel!
I shook my head, that was horrible for such a young innocent child to go through, now I understand, why she'd be so scared of storms. "You don't have to worry about something like that happening again, you are safe here, you know that right?" I looked down at her, as she looked up to me and nodded. "You never told me you have a brother, so you don't know where he is at all?" I raised a brow.
"No, we lost touch, after 2 years, I was 10 went I went into the foster care system, and my brother was 12, we tried as hard as we could to stay together, we even ran away together a couple times, but they always found us, and split us apart again, eventually there was just too much distance between us, and we lost touch." Ivy bit her lip, shaking her head. I could see how much it hurt her to talk about her brother, I can see how much she loved him, and how much he must of loved him, he was the one who protected her before they got separated, she lost that protection so she let herself get caught up with the wrong people. Ivy doesn't have to worry about that any longer, she's got me now, I'll protect her.
"I'm sorry, that must of been awful." I shook my head.
"It's life, until I was older, that I realized, that wasn't normal, not all kids had to go through that, so at least at the time, it was going on, I thought it was normal, I didn't have to know, how completely messed up my life was at that point in time." Ivy sighed. "Can we not talk about that any more." Ivy said softly.
"Of course." I said, my hand gliding up and down her back, Ivy squealed and buried her face in my chest, and clung to me tightly, when the thunder crashed outside, and shook the house, the power surging and then shutting off, I heard the house go quite, all except Ivy, who's heart was beating so loud, I swear I could hear it. "You okay?" I whispered.
She really wasn't kidding, she's terrified right now!
"Yeah, I just really don't like this, I wish I had something, to take the edge off." Ivy shook her head.
"You don't need anything Ivy, you've got me, I'm here, I'll keep you safe, you don't have to worry." I said softly, holding her tightly as she clung to me. "Just close your eyes, and imagine you are far away from here, shut off your mind, ignore all that's going on around you, and let yourself fall into a deep sleep." I whispered, my hand still gliding up and down her back, lulling her into her sleep.
xXxXx
Mike's Point Of View
I followed Luke, through the woods, part of me wondered if he was trying to lead me into a trap, but part of me, knows he wants Ivy out of Bray's life, just as much as I want Ivy back in mine. I sighed and had to stop to catch my breath. "Slow down man, I'm not used to treading through the woods, like you are." I shook my head. We were heading to the house, Bray's house. To find some what stake the place out, so we'd be ready know the way around the house, inside and out, I needed to know my way around this place, that way when my plan is set in motion, I'd have my way out of this place, with Ivy of course, all figured out.
"We want to get to the house, before everyone gets around, they'll notice us coming if they are up and around, it's easier to slip off the property, then it is to get on, so let's go." Luke shook his head.
I sighed, and shook my head. "Fine, come on." I started to follow him, we walked up and down, the terrain for about another 10 minutes and I finally saw it, through a large field, was the house, Finally I knew where my woman was, I hadn't seen her since that day at the store, where she turned down the pills, from my buddy. We headed towards the house, slipping behind a shed, and then making our way around the house, towards the side.
"This is Ivy's room." Luke said, pointing to the window.
It was dark inside the room, so I decided to look inside, see what my woman was doing. I looked around, her bed was empty, where was she? "I don't see her."
Where the hell is my woman?
Why isn't she in her room?
Luke looked inside and shook his head. "I don't know where she'd be." Luke sighed.
I do, that son of a bitch!
I swear if she's sleeping with him!
I'll kill them both!
"Where's Bray's room?" I almost growled.
"Follow me." Luke sigh, heading two windows down. "Here is his room."
I looked inside, I felt my blood start to boil. The sight of my woman, in the bed of another man, it made me heated, I was livid. Looking in upon my girl, in the arms of another man, it made my stomach turn, she's mind damn it. Ivy should know better then to jump into bed, with a man, without my permission. "I thought you said, they weren't sleeping together." I growled, looking back at Luke.
"I didn't think they were." Luke shook his head. "She had to of gotten to him."
I'm sure it took all his will power to tell her no!
"Sure, and I'm sure it took so much convincing. For him to jump into bed with her." I shook my head, growling as I watch him, wrap his arms around her tighter, as she snuggled into his chest. "Call him, now." I growled.
"What am I supposed to say?" Luke raised a brow.
"I don't know, and I don't really care. I want that man's hands off, of my woman. That's something that needs to happen now, so get to it." I ordered.
"Fine, whatever." Luke shook his head, taking out a cell phone, and dialing a number.
I watched as inside the room, Bray woke up, reaching over, trying to be careful, as to not wake Ivy, I'm guessing. Bray put the phone to his ear.
"Hello?" I heard Bray rasp, and realized he'd put the phone on speaker.
"Hey, how are you doing?" Luke shrugged, shaking his head.
"Fine, what do you want Luke?" Bray sighed, finally doing as I wanted, and moved his arms from around Ivy. Bray scooted out from under Ivy, and she started stir. Bray ran his hand through her hair, a couple times, sending her back into her sleep. Bray climbed off the bed.
"I just wanted to know how you were." Luke sighed.
"Well, I'm fine, so you shouldn't contact me again." Bray said harshly.
"Look, I'm trying to reach out to you Bray, I'm trying to show you I'm working on becoming a better person." Luke shook his head. "I'm trying to work on the things, I've done wrong with my life." Luke looked to me and shrugged.
"Is that so?, you've realized how wrong you are about Ivy?" Bray questioned.
"I don't know, I'm trying to get past my reservations about her." Luke answered.
"Well, I guess that's some kind of progress." Bray shrugged.
I saw Ivy, start to come around, and sit up slightly, and looks over at Bray. Bray smiled over at her, and gave her a one second, signal.
"I'm trying Bray." Luke sighed.
"That's good to know." Bray sighed. "I've got to go, have a nice day." Bray added, and hung up the phone.
"There, I did it." Luke put his phone in his pocket, and sighed.
"I can see that, at least it got his grimy paws, off my woman." I growled.
I looked on as Ivy sat all the way up, and Bray walked back over, sitting on the bed, next to her. They started talking and Bray leaned over, and placed his dirty lips, on my woman's forehead. I growled to myself, as I watched Ivy's cheeks blush a light shade of red. Ivy then climbed out of the bed, saying something to Bray, before walking out the door.
I figured she would be going to her room, so I headed back to her window. I saw Ivy's door open, and Ivy strip her shirt off, before heading towards the bathroom, letting me catch the view of her naked back. After a few minutes I saw Ivy walk out of the bathroom, wearing only a bra and pantie set. I held my hand up for Luke to stay over there, until she put some clothes on.
Once Ivy's clothes were on, Luke joined me. "So, how long are we sticking around here?" Luke questioned.
"I don't know, I want to watch my woman for a while, since I know I'm not going to be able to talk to her, your buddy isn't going to allow that." I shook my head. I saw Ivy put her hair up, and was checking herself out in the mirror. Her jeans extra tight, and her shirt extra clingy to her body, hugging her curves.
Who the hell are you trying to look good for?
Ivy looked to the window, and she must of seen me, because she screamed and dropped the light jacket, she was about to put on. I looked to Luke and he grabbed me, and we both ran for the woods, hoping not to be seen.
xXxXx
Ivy's Point Of View
I was about to put on my jacket, when I saw something out the corner of my eye, I turned to look at the window, and I saw a face, it quickly disappeared, and I screamed, dropping the jacket on the ground.
Oh god, what the hell is that?
Who is that?
Within a few seconds, Bray was busting through my door. "Ivy?" Bray rushed to my side. "What's wrong?" He questioned, reaching out taking my face between his palms, trying to calm me, as I was now practically hyperventilating.
"Outside." I managed to get out. "Someone, was outside." I pointed to the window.
"Are you sure?" Bray raised a brow.
I'm not taking anything, I swear I saw something!
More like someone!
"Yes, I'm sure, I saw a face." I swore, shaking my head. "I know I saw it, someone was outside my window."
"What's going on?" I heard Braun at the door, Erick right behind him.
"Yeah, everything okay?" Erick added
"Ivy think's she saw someone outside her window." Bray turned to them.
"I don't think, I know." I interjected.
I'm not crazy, don't look at me like that!
"Would it make you feel better, if we go outside and check things out?" Bray looked down at me.
"Would you?" I bit my lip.
"Sure, we'll check things out." Bray nodded, giving me a kiss on the top of the head, before turning to the boys, and all three of them walking out of my room, and heading outside.
xXxXx
Luke's Point Of View
We made it back to the woods, both of us looking back, hiding behind the trees, so we aren't seen. A few minutes later, we see Bray, Erick, and Braun all walk out. Bray and the boys, look down around, by Ivy's window, he points to something on the ground, and Braun, points to something else. "What are they doing?" Mike raised a brow.
"I don't know, I don't think the ground is soft enough, to leave prints." I shook my head.
I hope not at least!
"You sure?, they will think something is up, if there are footprints." Mike sighed.
"I can't be sure, but there is no way they will think it's us." I sighed.
One can hope at least, Bray will never forgive me!
I watched as Ivy came around the house, and headed towards Bray, he said something to her, and then took her into his arms.
"They must of found the footprints, they had to of." Mike said, I could hear the panic creep into his voice. "What if they come looking over here?"
"They won't, Bray doesn't look like he wants to keep his hands off her long enough for that." I snarled, I still don't see what he sees in her?, she's bad news, but he doesn't see that. How can he be so blind?
"I can see." Mike growled. "I want my woman back." He added.
Believe me, I want you to have your woman back!
"You'll get her back, we've got to be smart about this." I reminded him. We can't be stupid and run into this, without a rock solid plan. If we do, it will ruin everything, I know these guys, and I know how they think, they are going to be on their guard right now, we have to hold off, until we know, they aren't so guarded.
"Does he need to have his hands on her at all times?" Mike snarled, stepping forward, causing me to grab him to prevent him from giving us away.
Control your jealously man!
You are going to get us caught!
"Calm down, you are going to get us caught, I don't understand. You have no problem sharing her with other men, but you don't want her around Bray? Why is that?" I shook my head, this man has no sense of self-control.
"She's mine, I do with her as I please. So if I want her to be with other men, then she will. Ivy has no permission to be with that man, so there for she is betraying me, I won't allow it. That's something I'm not going to let her get away with." Mike spat, shaking his head.
Wow, he defiantly has his own way of thinking!
As crazy as it is!
I shook my head, wow this man is something else, but it's what I have to do right now, to help Bray, out of this fog he is in, when it comes to Ivy.
xXxXx
Bray's Point Of View
I sighed, looking back down at the footprints, there were two different tracks. "Maybe it's just some pranksters, some young punks, trying to sneak a peek at a pretty woman." Braun looked over at me, as I was still calming Ivy, she was scared out of her mind.
"We will figure it out, I'll have some extra security put up, to be on the safe side." I nodded. "Are you okay?" I looked down at Ivy.
"Yeah, I knew someone was out here, I just knew it." Ivy looked up at me, and nodded.
"You were right, we will take care of everything, you don't have to worry about a thing." I said softly. "Braun is probably right, it's probably just some pranksters, or some kids from up the road, trying to catch a peek of you." I added.
"Yeah, you are probably right, I just don't like the idea of someone looking in at me." Ivy sighed.
"I'll get you some better curtains today, some that will conceal you better." I smiled at her.
"That sounds good, those curtains you have in there now, don't hide a thing." Ivy smiled.
"Come on, let's get inside and I will finish getting ready, and we can head into town." I smiled, reaching out and grabbing a hold of her hand, leading her inside.
A Note From The Author: Well, here we have it, Chapter 7 I really hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I am enjoying writing it, I really love a sweet cuddly Bray:) So Luke and Mike are coming up with a plan, but Bray is going to be a lot harder, to pull one over on, then Mike might expect. I have some big things, in the works for this story, so be on the look out for that! Thank you all to everyone, who continue to read, review, follow, and favorite this story. You guys are the reason I enjoy writing this so much!
Debwood-1999- Thanks as always, for reading and the review. I'll tell you, I do love Luke, and I don't think he's going to be a total loss in this story, Bray has a soft spot for helping those in need, so I think if Luke is in the need of some help, Bray won't turn him away. Luke just needs to see the light, when it comes to Mike, he's not out for anyone but himself, he could care less about Luke, he's just a pawn in his game right now. Anyway, I hope you continue to enjoy the story. :)
DarkFireDemoness- Thank you for reading, and for the review, I'm glad you are enjoying this story, I am really enjoying the sweet side that Bray has, he seems like he could be a big cuddly bear, but one who could still rip your head off, if need be. I hope you continue to enjoy the story! :)