Protecting ivy:his hidden obsession

The silence in the Mondragon mansion didn’t feel like peace. Rather it felt like a vacuum, sucking the oxygen out of everyone. Seven days. It had been seven days since the death of Mrs. Marga Mondragon, the only woman who had ever looked at an orphaned Ivy and seen a daughter instead of a charity project. Now, the scent of funeral lilies had been replaced by the sharp feeling of greed and hatred. Ivy sat at the end of the long dining table, her hands folded tightly on her lap. Opposite her sat Kristoff and Jocelyn,Marga’s biological children they weren't mourning they were hovering like vultures over a fresh kill. “Read it again, Kristoff spat his voice trembling he was in his fifties, bloated by excess, with eyes that had long ago lost any feeling of humanity. The family lawyer, Mr. Sterling, cleared his throat, his fingers trembling slightly as he adjusted his spectacles. “The will is quite clear, Mr. Mondragon. To Jocelyn and Kristoff, Mrs. Mondragon has left twenty percent of the total estate and liquid assets, to be shared equally. The remaining eighty percent including the New York real estate, the shipping firms, and the primary residence is left entirely to Ivy Mondragon.” The sound that left Jocelyn’s throat was animalistic. She stood up so abruptly her chair moved backward. “Eighty percent, To a stray, to a girl who doesn’t have a drop of Mondragon blood in her veins Ivy didn’t flinch. She had spent years perfecting her mask of composure. “Mother saw me as her daughter, Jocelyn. She saw how you and Kristoff treated her like an ATM. She knew that if she left the legacy in your hands, the Mondragon name would be bankrupt within a year. “You little b***h, Kristoff growled, leaning over the table. The smell of expensive whiskey and desperation rolled off him. “You think you’re going to walk away with our birthright You think you’re going to sit in that mansion while I scramble for scraps “Twenty percent of a billion-dollar empire is hardly scraps, Kristoff,” Ivy said quietly. “It’s more than enough to cover your gambling debts. If you don’t squander it. Kristoff’s face turned a dark shade of purple. He looked at Jocelyn, a silent, understanding passing between them. Ivy felt a chill feeling down her spine. She knew her siblings were selfish, but the look in Kristoff’s eyes wasn't just anger. It was predatory. “This isn't over, Jocelyn hissed, clutching her designer bag. “Inheriting a fortune is one thing, Ivy. Staying alive long enough to spend is another.” With that, they walked out of the room, Mr. Sterling sighed, closing the leather-bound folder. “Ivy, my dear... you need to be careful. I’ve known your brother a long time. He’s... dangerous. And his son, Jordan, has been spending time with the wrong crowds in the city. “I’ll be fine, sterling,” Ivy lied, her heart beating faster than she expected. “I’ll hire extra security. I’ll change the codes.” “Security can be bought, Sterling warned. “Just be careful who you trust. *** Night fell over New York like a heavy cover. From the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Mondragon estate, the city looked like a sea of diamonds, but to Ivy, it felt like a cage. She walked through the dark hallways, the portraits of Mondragon ancestors staring down at her with judgmental eyes. She didn't belong here, they seemed to say. She was a mistake. She reached her bedroom and locked the door, leaning her back against the door. Only then did she let her guard down, a single tear dropped. She missed Marga. She missed the only person who had ever made her feel safe and loved. Click. The sound was faint, barely audible over the hum of the central heating, but it made every hair on Ivy’s arms stand up. It had come from her balcony. She froze. The doors were supposed to be locked. She moved toward the nightstand, her hand reaching for the emergency panic button, but before her fingers could graze the plastic, a shadow detached itself from the heavy curtains. “I wouldn't do that if I were you. The voice was deep and carried the weight of absolute authority. Ivy gasped, turning around. Standing in the center of her room was a man who looked like he had been carved out of the New York night itself. He was tall, handsome and wore a black suit that screamed wealth and power. His skin was light, glowing in the moonlight, and his features were dangerously handsome, “Who are you?” Ivy whispered, her voice trembling. “How did you get past my security. The man took a slow, predatory step forward. His eyes dark, piercing, and terrifyingly intelligent he scanned her from head to toe. There was an intensity in his gaze that felt like a physical touch. “Your security is a joke,” he said, his tone bored. “And as for who I am... surely you recognize the man your mother almost went into business with before she died Ivy’s breath hitched. Walker Jordan the youngest billionaire in the city In the country, he corrected her. What are you doing in my bedroom, Mr. Jordan If you want to talk business, call my office. If you want to offer condolences, send flowers. This is breaking and entering. Walker didn't look bothered. He reached out, his hands picking up a framed photo of Marga from her dresser. “I’m not here for business, Ivy. And I’m certainly not here for condolences. “Then what are you here for He turned his gaze back to her, and for the first time, Ivy saw the obsession in the depths of those dark eyes. It wasn't just a business visit,It was a hunt. “Your brother has already put a price on your head,” Walker said, his voice dropping “By midnight, there will be three men entering this house through the kitchen service entrance. They aren't coming to talk. They’re coming to ensure that eighty percent of the Mondragon fortune returns to the rightful heirs. Ivy’s body became cold. That means i have to call the police. “The police are on Kristoff’s payroll, Walker countered, moving closer until he was standing directly in her personal space. She could smell him sandalwood, expensive tobacco, and something electrifying “You have two choices, Ivy. You can stay here and see if you survive the night, or you can come with me. “And why would I go with you she challenged, her pride momentarily outweighing her fear. “I don't even know you. Walker leaned down, his lips inches from her ear. His heat was overwhelming. “Because I’m the only man in this city who wants you more than they want your money. And unlike your brother, I don't want you dead. He pulled back, his eyes locking onto hers. “I want you bound to me, “Forever” Before Ivy could scream, the sound of glass shattering echoed from downstairs. The heavy thud of boots on the staircase followed. “They’re here,Walker whispered, a dark, smirk playing on his lips. He reached out a hand. “Decide Ivy, Death in this house, or life in mine. But be warned... my protection comes with a price you might find even more terrifying. Ivy looked at his hand, then at the bedroom door as the handle began to turn. The choice was no choice at all, but as she pressed her palm into Walker Jordan’s, she realized she wasn't being rescued. She was being claimed.