Page 48 of Riot

Toby, I understand, but Ivy? The lies and half-truths they keep telling her are piling up, and I’m done with keepin’ shit from her.

“You don’t think Ivy’s gonna be more worried and pissed-off when she finds out the truth? I know she’ll be because I’m fuckin’ pissed you never said anything too. I love Maylie.” Mace’s eyes flash. “Not like that, you jealous prick. She’s your old lady, but she’s my family now, too. Her, Ivy, Toby, and Seren are important to me. You can’t keep hidin’ shit. It ain’t fair.”

I can tell the moment he realises I’m not just talking about Maylie’s complications.

Secrets have a way of coming out, and Ivy’s not gonna handle it well when it does.

Mace stares at me as if he’s contemplating how to hurt me without leaving any evidence. “It ain’t our decision what Maylie tells her siblings, Nate.”

I come to my feet in a move so quick, my head momentarily spins.

“Fuck you and fuck that. You know that ain’t even right. Ivy is a woman now, Mace. She ain’t a kid who needs to be protected.”

No, she’s not. Her curves have filled out since she had the baby, but it’s not just her appearance. She seems older, more mature. Having her daughter has changed her so much from the girl I first met.

Back then, she seemed like a broken doll that needed to be fixed, glued back together, but now… she’s stronger than they give her credit for. Ain’t many who could go through what she has and come out the other side of it still mostly whole.

Mace also comes to his feet, drawing himself to his full height. If he’s trying to intimidate me, it ain’t working. I knew Mace back when he was a scrawny kid with a bad attitude and the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“I don’t disagree, but right now, Maylie needs to be as relaxed as possible. If that means holding back on certain things until she’s ready to tell Ivy, then that’s what we do.” Oh yeah, he definitely knows I’m talking about Ivy’s prick ex and not just Maylie’s pregnancy. “Don’t get involved.”

Fucker. He wants me on the front line when it suits him but asks me to step back when I have an opinion?

That ain’t happening.

I shake my head. “Love you, Mace. Love you more than I love my actual brother and sister, but right now, I’m findin’ it fuckin’ hard to even look at you.” I don’t mask the disgust in my tone. “You two have your priorities fucked up, and although you think you’re doing the best in this situation, you’re not. What do you think is gonna happen when Ivy finds out that her ex has been dead all this time?” I hiss in a quiet whisper.

He doesn’t answer. He knows there won’t be a single thing any of us can say that will justify it.

“It’s cruel what we’re doin’ to her,” I continue. “She has a right to know that the father of her child, the man who tormented her for months, whorapedher, is no longer a threat to her and her daughter.”

Saying those words is a spark to a flame, fuelling the fire that hasn’t stopped burning since I learnt the truth.

“Let’s just get Maylie through this pregnancy, and then we’ll talk to Ivy.”

Months… that’s how long he wants to keep this a secret.

“That’s fucked up, Mace.”

His eyes narrow. “You’re pushing this mighty fuckin’ hard. Why?”

Because I love her.

“Because I care about her,” I snap.

His penetrating glare feels as if he’s invading my thoughts. “She ain’t yours to worry about.”

That statement pisses me off. “So, what? I’m good enough to be your fuckin’ bitch, but not good enough to be part of your family, is that it?”

His anger disappears between one blink and the next. “I didn’t say that.”

I scoff at him. “Fuck you.”

I walk away before I do something I can’t take back. Anger pulses through my veins, and not just because of my brother. This whole situation has me like a powder keg, ready to explode.

He grabs my bicep, and I tear out of his grasp. “I’m leavin’ before either of us makes this shit worse.”

“You’re family,” he says, his grip tightening. “You know that. But I won’t risk Maylie’s health over this. Any stress could hurt her and the baby.”

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