Page 114 of Ivory's Ruin Romance

“No offense, but I’m not fond of sharing.” He claimed Ivory’s hand and guided her into his lap before she could take a seat of her own.

Ivory laughed and wrapped her arm around his shoulders, looking down through her lashes. “Who’s keeping who? I don’t think I’m giving you a choice.”

He tightened his grip on her waist and shook his head, leaning in close to whisper, “That’s two.”

She shivered but straightened and asked, “Oh, by the way, do you have plans tomorrow morning?”

“Tomorrow?” He glanced over at Riley and narrowed his eyes. He’d been serious about not sharing. “No, but I work from nine to two.”

“Perfect.” Riley swiveled towards the stove with a spoon in hand. “Then I call dibs on taking her to the shooting range.”

His eyebrows shot up, and he looked back at Ivory, who had sprouted a mischievous grin. “Sounds like you two are getting into more trouble than I anticipated,” he muttered.

FIFTY-SIX

“Wow, that felt…”

“Scary? Good? Scary-good?” Riley suggested.

Ivory shook her head as she slid into the passenger seat. “Fun,” she concluded with a grin. Next time they went shooting, she wanted to bring Nia and the guys, too. Maybe they could call it a triple date.

Sunrays beamed through the windshield of Riley’s Sedan and heated the leather interior until it almost burned, contradicting the cool breeze outside. Luckily, neither of them minded rolling all the windows down, and fresh air poured inside as the engine started.

“I’m going to need a lot more practice, though,” Ivory added.

“Hey, you did better than you give yourself credit for.” Riley adjusted her braid and pulled out of the shooting range’s parking lot. “Enough to prove you’ve got talent.”

Ivory laughed. “I couldn’t even hit the target on the first two rounds.” Shooting a gun felt a lot different than anything she’d done before. Collecting knowledge and mapping out the sky didn’t come close to handling raw, physical force.

“On your first two, sure,” Riley said. “But after that? You hit the mark more often than half the guys I know.”

“You’re kidding…” She glanced over, and Riley pursed her lips. If that were the case, she’d hate to rely on those guys in a real shootout. Riley, on the other hand, looked like a natural with a rifle or a handgun. “Maybe we women have higher standards,” Ivory muttered.

Riley’s smile widened. “Or you’re a perfectionist. Either way, I’m game to take you again. Although something tells me Adrian will call dibs on your next visit.”

“Mm, I think you’re right about that.” Ivory grinned and bit her lip. Something about the image of Adrian hitting the target dead center made her blood rush. Even though it’d only been a few hours since they saw each other, a pang of absence spread through her chest at the thought. “Oh, shoot!” she exclaimed as they turned onto the main road. “Completely forgot to put on my seatbelt.”

“Looks like you’ve gotten more used to two wheels than four,” Riley teased.

Ivory shook her head and clicked the buckle in place. More like she was used to holding onto Adrian as they drove. It didn’t feel right without him in front of her. Or beside her, for that matter.

Glancing at her phone, she sent him a quick text that they were finished. By now, he would be getting home from his shift, and all she wanted was to be back in his arms. To let him tell her everything would be all right, in a way only he could.

He’d explained the details of the fight he and Raptor planned, and though it answered most of her questions, a pit of unease still formed in her gut. Both men were putting their safety on the line—and she didn’t put it past Jace or Jun to pull a dirty trick that would get one of them killed. Her learning to shoot hadn’t been necessary, but the more ways she could protect herself, the better.

“Hey, this thing with the Dragons…” she started, unsure how to word her question. Of all people, Riley would be the best to ask. “I know the guys are gonna be fine, but I feel like it’ll only make Adrian worry if I’m there. I don’t know how to support him without being a distraction.” He could handle himself, and Raptor would be fighting by his side, but there had to be something else she could do.

Riley glanced over with a sympathetic smile. “Oh honey, he’s gonna worry just the same as you worry about him. Being there or not won’t change that, but somehow worrying together is a lot better than worrying alone.”

Ivory nodded and looked down at her hands.

Riley sighed as she switched lanes. “You’re good for him, you know. Most people will see you two and think you’re the one who needs protecting, but I know my brother, and he needs what you give him just as much.”

“Thanks,” Ivory mumbled. “I want to be there for him the same way he’s been for me. In fact, you’ve all been so kind and welcoming.” She glanced out the window at passing traffic. “But I—”

She chewed her lip. There had been something else on her mind, and it was about time she admitted it. “I don’t think my family will be so accepting. Since meeting him, I’ve been so much more of who I want to be—confident, secure, and happy, but I don’t think my parents will see that. Some days, I don’t think they even see me. They only see what they want me to become. Adrian doesn’t fit into that.”

Riley hummed, nodding as if this wasn’t unexpected. “You know, I’m shit at advice. I’d rather duke it out than talk about feelings. Just ask Raptor.” She chuckled, then sobered before continuing. “However, I do know a weapon more powerful than a firearm, and that’s self-respect. It can be hard to stand up for yourself, especially to the people you love, but it’s worth it. Show them the value of your choices, even if it takes time. That’s what counts in the end.”

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