Page 76 of Riot

I’m sorry if I crossed a line.

I read it once, then twice, my jaw so tight, my teeth ache. Every word in that statement has my anger boiling.

“I didn’t know you were so nosy.”

My head whips over my shoulder to see Ivy standing in the doorway holding Seren. They’re wearing matching pyjamas, which would have me rolling my eyes if it was anyone else, but the two of them look fucking cute—and I would tell her that, but my brain is short-circuiting over the contents of the card in my hand.

“What line was crossed?” My words are terse and unyielding.

Ivy steps into the room, shifting Seren in her arms before she snatches the card from me. “Nothing.”

Anger bubbles through me. Not at her—never at her—but at the thought someone might have done something she didn’t want.

I grab her wrist, the one holding the card, and lock my gaze to hers, trying to control my emotions. “Did someone hurt you?” Low and menacing, that’s how my words come out.

She blinks and then the smile dies on her face. Terror clutches my chest.

“Oh. No. Riot, whatever you’re thinking, no. It’s not like that.”

I close my eyes, rubbing my temple with my free hand. “You need to explain because I’m about to lose it.”

“No one hurt me,” she says quietly, pulling free of my grasp.

I don’t want to let her go, but I do, and a moment later, her fingers trail over my face. I open my eyes to meet hers, and it feels as if the air between us is charged.

“What does it mean then?”

Seren tries to grab my beard, and I give her a finger to latch onto instead, my gaze not leaving Ivy’s face.

“When I went for lunch yesterday with my friends…” She breaks off, and my stomach plummets. I knew she was upset. If they did or said something, I’ll tear them limb from limb. “Jackson was there.”

My teeth clench. “That fuckin’ kid from the park?”

“Yeah. He was a little pushy about having dinner together, and he said some things that weren’t polite. Anyway, Dayna gave him a mouthful about it when she saw him at work this morning. I guess he felt bad and sent these to apologise.”

Jealousy flares inside me, a possessiveness that I’ve never experienced. “You like him?”

Her hand drops from my face. “How did you jump to that conclusion from what I just said?”

“Ivy.” My voice rasps over her name. I need to know.

She blows out a breath. “I did, but… not anymore. Not like that. That’s kind of why it was awkward.”

“But he didn’t hurt you?” I press, needing to be sure of that fact.

“No, he didn’t. He wouldn’t. Despite his attitude yesterday, he’s a nice guy.”

Of course, he would. Nice guys are always the fucking worst.

“He gives you so much as a bad feeling, you tell me.” I will rip his fucking guts out of his throat if he won’t take her no for an answer.

Ivy laughs, stepping back from me and sitting on the couch. “You don’t have to worry. I’m fine, and nothing is going to happen between me and Jackson, which he knows now.” She settles Seren in her lap. “Since this little lady isn’t sleepy, I was going to put on a movie. Do you want to watch something with me? Unless you want to go to sleep?”

I’m suddenly wide awake. “Sure. Don’t pick something sloppy to watch. I can’t face another one of those chick flick things.”

My anger is still fresh as I sit next to her, letting Seren grab my finger again, but my gaze locks onto Ivy’s profile. The thought of anything happening to her has unsettled me more than I want to admit.

I stare at the flowers. I don’t know shit about those things, but I do know the bigger the arrangement, the more expensive, and that bunch is fucking huge. The prick dropped money on them to apologise for a ‘nothing’ incident. Yeah, he ain’t let that shit go, even if Ivy thinks he has.

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