Lost in Paradise (Paradise Club #2)(83)

“I love you,” I say, wrapping my arms around him.

“I love you, too, sweetheart.”





31





ALEX





Ivy: I’m in Dubai with Pierre. I’m sorry but I won’t make it to the grand opening. Good luck.

Alex: Why won’t you take my calls?

Ivy doesn’t reply, and she’s left my message unread. I leave it for a little while, but then the anxiety of making sure she’s okay consumes me, and I reach out to her again.

Alex: Ivy, please. I miss you. I just want to know you’re okay?

Ivy: I need time.

Alex: Time to heal or time away from me?

I’m getting the feeling that Ivy’s done with me.

Ivy: I think time apart might be for the best.

Alex: The best for who?

Ivy: Me

Alex: I’m sorry I couldn’t be what you needed.

Ivy: I’m sorry you fell for a broken girl with so much baggage.

Alex: You’re not broken. You’re perfect.

Ivy: You deserve more, and I can’t give you that.

Alex: I don’t need more. I just need you. All I want is you Ivy, warts and all. I have baggage too.

Ivy: I’m sorry. I can’t.

Alex: I love you.

Sorry your message couldn’t be delivered.

Fuck. She’s blocked me.





Alex: Ivy blocked me.

Daniel: Sorry.

Alastair: Rough.

Jasper: Give her time.

Jasper: You still going to The Paradise Club opening?

Alex: Yeah I guess. Nate’s worked so hard on it.

Daniel: Will it be weird with her sister there?

Alex: As far as I’m aware she doesn’t know.

Alastair: Give her time, she’ll come around.

Alex: I fell for her.

Jasper: We know.

Daniel: It will work out in the end.

Alastair: Don’t fuck around at the resort unless you are truly done otherwise you will be.

Alex: I don’t want anyone else.

Jasper: We will make sure the ladies leave you alone.

Daniel: I’m down for more than one.

Alastair: Me too.

Jasper: Me three.

Alex: Thanks guys you’re really taking one for the team.

Jasper: What are friends for?





“Hey, Pierre, is everything okay?” I ask, surprised at seeing his name on my screen.

“I’ve sent Ivy to the day spa … she hasn’t gotten out of her bed all week. I just wanted to let you know she’s okay, and I think deep down inside, she misses you.”

“I’m lost without her, Pierre,” I confess.

“I know, boy. She is going through a lot, and it’s not my story to elaborate on, but what happened has taken her back to a time and place she never thought she’d be again,” Pierre explains to me.

“She doesn’t want me to wait for her.”

“Do you truly love her or is it lust?” Pierre asks me seriously.

“With all my heart, Pierre. I love her. I want her to be my end game,” I confess.

“Good! Because I know she feels the same way about you, but what you have or had has been damaged by that asshole. I hate him, Alex,” Pierre curses.

“Me too. Don’t worry I have plans for him.”

“You’re too pretty for jail, Alex. So don’t do any dumb shit.” Pierre chuckles.

“Don’t worry, he’ll live. We’re going to hit that family where it hurts … we’re going to take their business.”

Pierre is silent on the other end of the phone, then like it clicks he says, “Fuck, yes!” We both laugh. “I don’t know what you have planned, but take those fuckers down and make them pay with everything they have.”

“I promise you we will. Everything is in motion as we speak.”

Jackson Connolly is putting the final touches on our plan.

“Good luck, and know I’m looking after Ivy,” he tells me, “Oh, and by the way, Camryn and Olivia don’t know. Ivy mentioned that Olivia is in the States after running away from her wedding, and Camryn has had some ex-boyfriend drama that she doesn’t want Nate to deal with, plus she has the opening,” he explains.

“I promise they won’t hear it from me,” I reply before we say goodbye.





“Have you heard from Ivy?” Jasper asks as we head to the opening of The Paradise Club Resort via private plane.

“No. But I do know she’s back in London today. Some interior design crisis happened on the island, and Pierre had to leave Dubai early to deal with it. All I know is she’s doing better, but I’m still blocked.” I let out a long sigh.

“We could delay by a day if you want to go see her,” Alastair adds.

“Thanks, but as much as it’s killing me not to be there for her, she obviously needs the space.”

“How long are you going to give her?” Daniel asks.

“I don’t know. I don’t feel like it’s something I can push her on,” I tell them honestly.

“Uncle Pierre will come to the rescue and put the two of you together at some point.” Jasper chuckles.