After snuffing out his cigarette, Raven turned toward Ivy with a sly grin creeping across his face, edging closer to her with calculated steps.
âSweetheart, letâs just say todayâs scuffle was a quirky twist of fate, right? But donât you think a million bucks is a bit on the low. side? Maybe that amountâcould be⦠Nudged upward?â
Ivy had seen this coming from miles away.
âLook, big guy, you can skip the small talk. Moneyâs no object; I can offer you a better deal, but Iâve got a few conditions,â Ivy cut him off, assertive and straight to the point.
Raven did not get ruffled; he just nodded, showing a rare glimpse of patience. âLay it on me. If your terms are fair, weâre game. My crew and I are out here hustling for a fat stack of cash. Whatever you need, consider it done!â
Ivy stated, âFirst, you donât lay a finger on me. Thatâs non-negotiable and, frankly, for your own good.
Iâve got a condition Iâd rather not talk about. With the dough Iâm offering, youâll have no trouble finding other women. You wouldnât want to catch anything, would you?â
The buzz-cut man nodded in agreement. âRest easy on that score; we wouldnât dream of adding complications to our lives.â Raven rapped on the bed frame. âAlright, letâs hear the rest of your demands.â
âSecond,â Ivy locked eyes with him. âIâve already mentioned it. I want the person who put you up to this kidnapping to be delivered to me. The moneyâs negotiable.â
Raven and the buzz-cut man exchanged a glance. That was it? Ivyâs demands were surprisingly reasonable.
âArenât you scared weâll take your cash and ditch you?â Raven asked.
Ivy smirked. âIâm already trapped here; what more is there to fear? You work for money, and I can give you more. Why wouldnât you take the offer? Iâm sure my requests are well within your wheelhouse.â
Ivy just wanted to ensure her safety and find out who was behind this.
The buzz-cut man stood back, listening to the boss haggle with Ivy. Though he thought a million was already a hefty sum, money was money-the more, the merrier, right?
âI can handle that broad easy peasy,â he boasted brashly. âIâll drag her here myself!â
Raven shot him a warning glare. If he made it sound too easy, what leverage would they have left to negotiate with Ivy?
Ivy continued, âAs for the price, just name it. If I can swing it, Iâll give you the nod on the spot. If I canât, I wonât string you along.â Raven decided to cut to the chase, âI wonât gouge you-toss in another two mil!â
He held up two fingers to punctuate his demand.
She pondered silently, not responding immediately.
âGive me a moment to think.â
The buzz-cut man was uncertain about Ivyâs reaction. Could it be that she could not come up with that kind of money?
Raven observed Ivyâs expressions closely, but she did not seem overly distressed.
âOkay,â Ivy finally replied after a pause, giving a decisive answer.
âYouâre on! That puts ys at three million! Weâre hitting the jackpot, boys. Weâre millionaires!â The buzz-
cut man could not contain his excitement, jumping up and down.
He threw himself at Raven, patting his back vigorously to convey his thrill.
Ivy added, âBring that woman to me, and youâll see the transfer complete.â
Needless to say, the sight of all that money had these thugs seeing dollar signs.
Snatching Clara was a walk in the park for them.
Leaving the buzz-cut man to watch, Ivy, Raven took the rest of their lackeys and set out to grab Clara.