His Entertainer

chapter 41

      HERMANN RODRIGUEZ POV.

We hit Wilmert's place hard, blasting through security like it was tissue paper. 
We fanned out, taking positions in the foyer, waiting for the big cheese to show.
I took point, a stillness settling over me that was foreign even to me.
This wasn't some street fight this was a raid on a fortress.

Wilmert Grants strolled in,
smirk plastered on his face, his goons trailing behind like loyal puppies.
"A little early for the wedding, Hermann," he drawled, all smug self-importance.

"I'm not here for your damn wedding," I cut him off, my voice low and dangerous. "I'm here for Ivy."

He laughed, his goons joining in, a chorus of irritating chuckles. I rolled my eyes.

"Think your balls are bigger than mine, Rodriguez?" he sneered, trying to act tough.

"Oh, they are," I said, a slow grin spreading across my face.  I watched the color drain from his face as my words sunk in.

"Last warning, Hermann. Get off my property," he spat, the bravado already cracking.

"No, this is your last warning, get out of my sight" I spoke each word with rage, my hand tightening on my piece. A goon of his leveled a shotgun then,
I was faster, my shot echoed through the hall, followed by the wet thud of his body hitting the marble floor. 
The air filled with the coppery tang of blood.

All hell broke loose. 
Guns barked, a deafening roar of chaos. The elegant foyer became a war zone. Then, a voice cut through the noise.

"Stop!"

Ivy stood between us, her eyes blazing. "How dare you show your face here?" she yelled, her voice tight with fury.

"I—" I started, but she cut me off.

"You bastard" she said, her gun aimed at me.
This wasn't the Ivy I knew, the one standing infront of me felt venomous. 
I raised my hand, signaling my mem to stand down.

"Guns down!" they yelled.

"Hey, I'm sorry," I said, my voice soft, approaching slowly.

"Don't move," she snapped.

"Okay, okay," I said, dropping my gun and  bulletproof vest.  "It's just me."

"Tell your men to back off," she demanded.

"Hermann," Miguel called, but I ignored him.  "You heard her," I told my guys.

"Sir—" Carlos started.

"Carlos, I don't need to say it twice," I growled.  "Ready," I said to Ivy. She nodded, her face a mask.  "Take him," she ordered sharply.

A pinch of the heart, that's what it felt like. But I understood.  I'd driven her to this. 
Wilmert watched, a smug grin on his face. His goons grabbed me, dragged me to some room, threw me inside, and slammed the door. 
If this is what it takes to talk to her, then so be it.
_______________________________________
                  IVY SILVER POV.

As Hermann was dragged away, I saw the hurt in Miguel and Carlos’s eyes.  They looked like they wanted to argue, but they didn’t.  They just watched.

“Go,” I said, my voice flat, already turning back towards the mansion.

“He came here for you, Ivy!” Carlos yelled, the pain in his voice raw.  “That guy… he’s not what you think he is.”

“Just go,” I repeated, my voice sharper this time.  I didn’t want to hear it.  I didn’t want to think about it.

Inside, I found a guard waiting.  “Where is he?” I demanded.