Page 112 of Riot

If he dies because his doctor is an expert in fucking poodles and not humans, I’ll kill Mace.

“Do you want another coffee?” Maylie’s soft voice draws my attention, but I don’t take my eyes off the wall in front of me.

I shake my head. “No, thanks.” I glance at her as she sits. “You should go home, get some rest.”

She rubs a hand over her stomach. “I’m fine.”

“At least find somewhere to lie down for an hour.”

She peers around the room, wrinkling her nose. “I’ll just grab a kennel, shall I? Do you think Bruce the bulldog will mind sharing?”

“That’s not funny,” I mutter.

She nudges my shoulder. “Mace said he’s an actual doctor, Ivy. He used to be some fancy surgeon before he got struck off for misconduct. I don’t think he does any vet stuff, just owns the building.”

And patches up bleeding bikers.

“That doesn’t make me feel better.” My tone is flat as anxiety curls in my stomach the longer he’s gone.

“Your husband has a lot of explaining to do,” I say, leaning my head back against the wall behind me.

We both knew the club was dodgy, but this… this is a whole other level.

“I told him that no matter what, I’m delivering my baby in a hospitalwithmidwives.” She snorts, bemused. Her exhale is long. “The question is, do we have to buy Riot a collar and squeaky toy?”

I laugh, and shit, it feels good to let it out. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I couldn’t stop the bleeding, couldn’t wake him.

I don’t remember Mace getting there or the ride to the clinic.

All I could think was that I can’t lose him.

“Did you ever think our lives would be like this?”

Maylie considers this for a moment. “No, but I don’t hate it either. Mace makes everything better.”

I feel the same about Riot.

Those moments when we’re just existing in each other’s space are my favourite. Laughing at stupid movies, hanging out and talking nonsense… he’s the other half of me.

But he lied.

Yeah, he did. But sitting here, wondering if he’s going to make it, I can’t bring myself to care.

I try to imagine how Jackson would have handled Link’s lunatic brother. I doubt he would have put himself between us and a knife.

Ice crawls along my skin.Please come back to us, Riot.

As if she senses my thoughts, Maylie grabs my hand, squeezing it gently between her fingers. “He’ll be okay.”

“I know.” My voice cracks. “He doesn’t have a choice.”

“So… you and Riot? I can’t believe we didn’t see it. I mean, I knew you had a crush, but I didn’t know you were together.”

“We didn’t mean for it to happen.”

“Love’s rarely intentional.”

My leg bounces as I stare at the door, like Riot will just materialise. “Is Mace still pissed?”

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