Page 69 of Riot

Pushy bastard.

His persistence to push for dinner is moving my discomfort to something else entirely—fear.

“I’m sorry, Jackson, but life’s kind of crazy right now, what with my daughter’s illness and my sister being pregnant. I just… I don’t have time.”

His brows continue to slide towards each other. “Women have babies all the time and still can have dinner, Ivy. You’re doing it right now.”

Something in his tone sets my teeth on edge. It’s the patronising thread through those words, as if I’m overreacting for taking care of my pregnant sister or letting my daughter cut back on my social life. The fine hairs on my nape are standing to attention.

“Do your ears not work? Do you need me to write it down?” Katie’s voice is loud. “She said no.”

“And that was a prick thing to say,” Dayna snaps.

He slides his gaze towards her, and I see the moment his mask slips, just for a fraction of a heartbeat.

“I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I just want Ivy to understand that her life isn’t over because she had a kid at eighteen.”

There’s that note of derision again, like his words don’t match his feelings on the matter.

“Didn’t you hear? She’s dating a biker. He’s so attractive,” Katie drawls. “Like, sinfully so. Ivy’s getting the best sex of her life.”

What in the fresh hell is she doing?I’ve never so much as held hands with Riot, let alone fucked him. My cheeks flame as Jackson flicks his gaze towards me.

“The guy from the park?”

Shit.Katie nods at me, urging the lie. “Uh… yeah. Riot.”

Jackson’s jaw flexes as he takes a measured breath. “I didn’t realise you were into old men and criminals, Ivy.”

The bitterness in his tone would curdle milk, and it pisses me off. That’s not who Riot is. Sure, he’s not a saint, but he’s a good man—better than the pushy snob standing in front of me.

“He’s twenty-eight,” I counter. “Hardly old.”

“He’s a degenerate.”

My heckles rise, and I lean forward, my jaw clenched. “Watch your mouth.”

Anger flashes in his eyes, but it’s quickly snuffed out. The monster behind the nice guy act slips out of its cage once more.

He regains control remarkably fast.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” I don’t buy the switch in his demeanour at all. I’ve tangoed with the devil. I know exactly what kind of man Jackson is beneath the suits and fucking fancyhair. “I’m just worried about you, Ivy. You’re hanging around with dangerous people.”

Funny, because the only people who have ever been dangerous to me were not bikers.

“Do you mind, Jackson?” Dayna asks. “This is a private lunch. You’re not invited.”

He keeps control this time.

“And this is why I date women.” Katie’s smile is a little feral. “Let me break it down for you. Girls like older men. They’re sophisticated, they have cars and houses and the ability to pay for dates. They’re not living on their daddy’s charity.”

My chest seizes at the look he shoots, but Katie just smiles like he’s a naughty toddler.

“If you change your mind about dinner, Ivy, please let me know.”

“I won’t.” I stand, tossing my napkin on the table. “I need to use the ladies’ room.”

I don’t look back as I weave around the tables and head into the ladies’ room. My heart is cantering beneath my ribs as Dayna steps in behind me.

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