Lorenzo

She’s here.

Right in front of me.

My mate.

I watch as my little mate lunges at Lia, engulfing her in a tight hug with her small delicate arms. “I’m sorry I ran away. Please tell me you’re not hurt.” She cries out.

Lia puts her arm around my mate’s shoulders, smiling at her softly. I’ve never seen such expression on Lia’s face. She’s always been so stoic and composed. “I’m fine, Ivy. I’m not hurt. You’d be surprised how good I am at fighting.” She chuckles patting my mate’s back before turning to me.

“What are you doing here? And how did you find me?”

“I followed your scent.” I smirk.

Lia just laughs it off, probably thinking I’m joking. She has no idea how true my statement is. I really did smell her when I came to this club, but I had no idea my mate was with her.

“Yeah, right. – Lia sighs – Sorry, but I have to talk to Vegas about those fuckers. They put their hands on me and Ivy even when we said ‘no’. The club that owns this place doesn’t take lightly to that.” Lia smirks cruelly, as if she knows something I don’t.

“I’ll trust you on that. – I nod – So how about you talk to that Vegas while I escort your friend out?”

My mate looks frightened at the prospect of leaving her friend and I don’t blame her. She just got fucking assaulted! If it weren’t for Lia already beating those men, I would kill them for putting their hands on my woman.

“It’s okay, Ivy. This guy’s a friend.” Lia assures with a smile then whispers something into her ear, making my mate release her from her arms before she gives me a shy smile.

So her name is Ivy.

Ivy. Symbol of love, friendship and eternal life. How fitting.

“Shall we, my lady?” I bow chivalrously, offering my hand to my sweet mate.

Ivy giggles cutely, putting her tiny hand in mine. “We shall.” She curtsies. Oh my sweet mate. Absolutely adorable.

I keep Ivy’s hand in mine as I lead her to the other room, where I know Blake is. I’m surprised he didn’t hear the fight, but in his defense, the rooms are quite far from each other. The main room is by the entrance and that’s where most people stay. I have a feeling not many know about the other rooms here. No one just wanders around a club out of boredom.

“Ivy? – Blake notices us first, jumping from the bar stool he was sitting on – What happened? Why are you with him? Whose blood is this?” He asks frantically, glancing around us to seek his woman. I understand his panic. If I saw my woman’s friend walk in covered in blood with my woman nowhere in sight, I would panic too.

“This is…”

“I know who this is. Where’s Lia?”

I decide to answer, seeing how Ivy seems too shaken up to do that. “Some guys bothered them, so Lia beat them up pretty badly. She said she’s going to talk to some Vegas and sort it out. I decided to take Ivy here to you.”

“And why are you here?” Blake folds his arms over his chest, but I don’t miss the quick glance he throws at my and Ivy’s joined hands.

“Funny, your woman asked the same thing.” I chuckle.

I see three guys come up to Blake, flanking him on both sides, seeming ready for a fight. “Blake, any troubles?” The brunette on his right asks.

“It’s fine guys.”

“You know him? Of course you do.” The blonde chuckles quietly.

“Lorenzo, you still haven’t answered my question. Why are you here?” Blake sternly asks, glaring at me.

“I think this is not the right moment to talk. – I start, catching the wary glances from pretty much everyone here – Maybe we can find somewhere more… private. Even better, take Ivy home and then talk.” I suggest, gesturing at all the watching people.

“Fuck. Guys, take Ivy home. I’ll go look for Lia.” Blake tells his friends then goes behind the bar. Guess he really knows the owners to just stroll around the place like this.

One of the three guys tells Ivy to come with him, but I don’t let go of her hand, getting a confused glance from her. “I’ll take Ivy home myself.” I say with a low growl. None of those boys are getting near my mate.

“You really think we’ll let our friend go with someone we don’t know?” The brunette scoffs, wordlessly challenging me with his glare.

“Blake knows him, Dave.” The blonde retorts with a chuckle.

“But he didn’t say whether he’s a friend or not.” ‘Dave’ rebukes harshly. I smile internally. He's good.

“Fine then. One of you may come with me. I don’t know where Ivy lives, anyway.” I take off my jacket and wrap it around Ivy, hiding her from the curious looks she gets. She’s mine! Any fucker that tries to touch her will lose their fucking hands.

“Let’s go sweetheart. I’ll take you home.” I urge quietly, placing my hand on Ivy’s lower back and steer her through the club to the exit. I don’t miss the three guys following us, one of them carrying what smells to be Ivy’s belongings.

Ivy doesn’t say anything as I lead her to my car, but she keeps staring at me. I don’t show it, but I love how her eyes don’t stray from me. She’s a curious little thing, I can tell she has questions, but she doesn’t say anything. I can almost hear the little cogs running in her head as she tries to figure me out.

I can’t wait to see her reaction when she learns what I am and what she is. But I won’t rush her. She’s a human, she doesn’t feel the mate bond like I do. Which means I need to earn her love and trust.

I open the passenger door for my little mate, bowing chivalrously as I help her get in. She giggles cutely, thanking me in a sweet posh British accent.

I ignore the guy getting in the back, knowing exactly why he’s here. It’s quite nice to know that my mate has such reliable friends. Even though they’re males.

“Sweetheart, mind putting the address in the GPS? I’m not exactly familiar with the city.” I request, not taking my eyes off the road.

“Sure.” Ivy smiles shyly before doing as I asked.

We drive in silence and I’m itching to just grab my mate’s hand and keep it in mine forever. But I know I can’t do that yet. It might scare her off.

We arrive at our destination in less than half an hour, and for some reason this place smells familiar. The guy in the backseat, Dave, gets Ivy’s belongings and leaves the car. I help my little mate get out of the car then, holding her small hand in mine, lead her inside, following Dave.

We go to the top floor, then Dave leads us to one of the 5 apartments, punching in the password before letting us in. Why does he know the password to my mate’s home?!

“Oh, it’s Lia and Blake’s place. I live next door, but Lia asked me to come here instead.” Ivy explains, no doubt seeing my displeased expression. I didn’t even bother hiding my anger of knowing that some men know how to enter my woman’s house.

“Why would she ask you to come here instead of your place?” I question, slightly curious about Lia’s intentions.

“Maybe it’s because it’s bigger than mine, or because the guys never came to my place.” Ivy shrugs with a small smile. Now I feel assured. No man was in my woman’s house.

“I’m glad to hear it.” I mutter quietly.

“Hmm? Did you say something?” Ivy glances at me with a cute confused frown.

“Nothing at all, sweetheart.”

“Why don’t you move from that door already and take a seat? The guys will be here soon, so will Lia and Blake and you’re blocking the entrance.” Dave mocks with a laugh.

I gently take Ivy’s hand in mine and take her further inside, letting her sit on one of the couches. The whole place is decorated exactly how I expected Ghost’s place to look. Compact, modern and minimalistic, with very little color.

“So, who are you?” Dave sits comfortably in the armchair in front of me and Ivy, giving me a questioning look.

“My name is Lorenzo Rey. I’m a friend of Lia’s from... work, you could say.” I chuckle.

Dave stares at me skeptically for a moment, before realization hits him. “You mean that work. – he smirks – I can’t say I’m surprised.”

“You know?”

“Yeah. She told us a while ago.”

Ivy turns from me to Dave with a confused little frown on her cute face. “Know what? What am I missing?”

“Lia will tell you one day. It’s not up to me to reveal that.” Dave tells her, but all it does is make my mate pout dejectedly. Sweet lord she’s so adorable!

“Ivy, trust me, you want to hear it from Lia.” I tuck a stray lock behind her ear gently, getting a quiet gasp as my fingertips skim over her soft skin.

“You better stop touching her if you value your hands, man.” Dave warns lowly.

“Your threats don’t scare me, boy. It’s not up to you but to Ivy to tell me to stop touching her.” I growl. Who does this boy think he is, threatening me!

“Ivy?”

My mate looks at Dave then at me, then back at Dave before throwing her arms in the air. “Oh come on! Keep your testosterone war away from me, alright?! I don’t want any part in it!” She glares at us, daring us to say something.

I struggle to keep my smile from showing. She’s so adorable when she’s angry! The way her nose twitches, the way her brows scrunch, the way her sweet voice gets an octave higher as she tries to assert her dominance, the way her little hands curl up into fists, the way her chest rises as she pants in anger. My heart is about to melt as I watch her.

My cute little mate.