‘Obviously not, or my words would have worked when I asked you to bring Ivy to us.’
‘Protecting her is my number one priority.’
‘As it should be, you’re her husband, and a formidable force. She’s lucky that she has you in her corner.’
‘I’m not bringing her here,’ Dax said. ‘Not until I see Trystan for myself. If I can’t trust that bastard to keep his hands off—‘
‘You can trust him,’ Mauri said. ‘He’s been in his suite for weeks. We’ve kept him entertained.’
Which meant Mauri had allowed the booze and the hookers to come here. Trystan would only put up with being incarcerated at the mansion if the party came to him on a regular basis.
‘And Bruno?’ Dax asked though the name stung him.
‘What about him? He’s around.’
‘He doesn’t want to take over the operation?’
‘He and I have… we’ve struggled to see eye-to-eye about this whole affair. Things between us are strained at the moment.’
‘What affair?’ Dax asked. ‘Ivy and me or what you’re suggesting happens to the company?’
‘Both. Mostly he blames me for confessing the truth to you about your lineage.’
‘Lineage,’ he scoffed. ‘I don’t give a fuck what you say, that man is not my father.’
‘Not in any traditional sense, no, I’d concur with that. But biologically, there is no refuting—‘
‘I can refute it,’ Dax said.
He hadn’t told Ivy about what Maurice had blurted out during their midnight meeting because he didn’t want to face the idea that it could be true. One of the country’s most notorious gangsters couldn’t be his father. Bruno’s legend was filled with dark spots of torture and murder.
Bruno had a sadistic urge that Ivy had met during her last experience with him. Bruno had beaten her, caged her, fondled her at will, and turned her into his personal slave. All the while Dax had steered clear, turning a blind eye to the torment she went through only to enjoy her in the nights when she came to him for sanctuary.
Maybe that was how she’d gotten into his heart. He’d never given it much thought, how she wormed her way into his affections, but he did now. Seeing her being put through humiliating experiences, and showing up each day with fresh bruises, he was amazed that she didn’t complain; she never simpered or withdrew.
How she held on to her strength was a mystery to him, but it was the respect he had for that strength that wouldn’t allow him to lose her. She was a woman to be admired and revered, he was still in awe of her even today.
‘We can do blood tests if—‘
‘Why would I want proof of it?’ Dax asked, springing out of his seat and storming toward the fireplace. ‘I don’t want to think that my biological father has…’ He couldn’t bring himself to say the words.
‘Felt up your wife?’ Mauri asked. Dax whipped around, bearing his teeth at the idea of any man touching Ivy. ‘I know what happened at the beach house. No one knew at that stage what was happening between you and Ivy. Tell me, when did you know that you loved her?’
‘You think I’m going to tell you?’
That particular realisation hadn’t smacked him in the face until he lost her. He had known that something was going on, that something inside of him was changing. But love was a foreign concept, and Dax hadn’t recognised it until she was removed from him. Ivy had known – that woman was too smart for her own good sometimes.
‘I’m interested,’ Mauri said. ‘I always considered you to be my son and now that you’re happily settled—‘
‘You want to come in and fuck it all up for me?’
‘No. I want to offer you more. As I understand it you’ve been working security at a strip club,’ Mauri smirked and actually laughed. ‘That’s a bit beneath you, don’t you think? You’re practically a weapon in your own right. Your skills are lethal in the ring and outside it when you are enforcing. If there’s one thing you know how to do it’s how to take a man out. How do you subdue yourself when you throw out a grabby customer?’
‘I know how to restrain myself,’ he growled, scowling at Mauri’s amusement.
‘Did Ivy work there? I can’t imagine how you would have reacted if a patron tried to take liberties with—‘
‘I would never let her work in a place like that,’ he said.
‘You shouldn’t have been working there either. Neither of you will have to worry about descending into those kind of positions if you consider my offer. All I am suggesting at the moment is that you consider it.’
‘Does Brad know you’re making this offer? Does Bruno?’
‘Brad is happy for you to come back and join us.’
‘I’m not coming back just because you can’t control your operation.’
‘You can control it, and we can offer you more. I am offering you a position here, a position of authority. You and Ivy can live right here at the mansion and you can keep your place in the family.’
‘Until you’re gone and then—‘
‘I think you can hold your own,’ Mauri said. ‘Once you’re back, and they know there’s nothing that they can do about it, you will all accept each other. Then when I am gone, you’ll already have a foothold.’
‘So I’m supposed to be grateful? No.’ Dax shook his head. ‘I’m not considering anything until I know you’ve laid it out to everyone. I’m not coming back to start a war with anyone. Truth is, I don’t care enough to fight for the sanctity of your enterprise.’
‘I think you do,’ Mauri smiled. ‘Why else would you be here?’
‘I came because Brad said you had something to say.’
Mauri rose to his feet and came to stand in front of Dax. ‘Here’s what I have to say: I want you here, I want you running things, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.’
‘Whatever it takes?’
‘What’s your biggest problem? What’s the biggest barrier to you coming home and taking your place at my side where you belong? Is it Ivy’s objections? Or are you worried about Brad, Trystan, and Bruno?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘When you do, tell me, and I’ll take care of that problem for you.’
Mauri began to shrink back, but Dax grabbed his shoulder, which was something he’d never done in the past. Both of them looked at the point of contact, stunned that it had even happened, but Dax didn’t release his hold. Reminding himself that he was no longer a lackey, and that he was stronger and faster than Mauri, he had nothing to fear here.
‘Don’t touch a hair on my wife’s head.’
‘There are other ways to take care of problems,’ Mauri said. ‘I want to show you my commitment to this proposal. If talking about it with the others will alleviate your concerns then I’ll take care of it. I have already set in motion a plan to persuade you.’
‘What plan?’
‘When it comes together, I will clue you in. For now, I’d like it to remain a surprise.’
Mauri backed away and went to drink the rest of his Scotch. ‘It’s not going to happen,’ Dax said though he lacked the conviction he’d held when he first came in.
‘I want you to take my proposal back to Ivy, she will have to approve, I understand that. You must remind her of what luxury we can provide,’ Mauri said, holding his hands up to the mansion they were in. ‘She can have anything that she wants; money will never be a barrier for her again. That kind of lure can be powerful for a woman of her background.’
‘What do you know about her background?’
Mauri didn’t respond to the question. ‘Next Saturday I am holding a party downstairs. I want you and Ivy to be my guests here. You will be safe at a party, you’ve attended them here before. Until then, consider what I’ve said, talk it over, and we’ll find a minute during the party to talk alone.’ Mauri went to the door he’d emerged from and turned back to smile at Dax. ‘Thank you for coming, son. You look strong and healthy. Ivy is good for you, I can tell. Send her my regards.’