Page 34 of Riot

“Who the fuck are you?”

Riot’s words are cold and harsh, and Jackson swallows whatever retort sits in his throat as his eyes dart to the leather kutte Riot’s wearing.

But then he does something supremely dumb.

“None of your business.” He stands, placing himself in front of me, as if trying to shield me and Seren from Riot.

It’s a lit match to a line of gasoline. “Oh, it’s my business. You’re in my fuckin’ seat.”

He turns to look at the bench behind him. “Yeah, well, it’s taken now.”

Riot’s eyes narrow on him, his fingers curling into fists at his side.

“Riot, it’s fine,” I say before he can throw a punch. “He’s a…” I pause.Who is Jackson to me?“He’s a friend.”

Riot’s gaze slides to mine, and fire blazes in his eyes, but it’s not for me. Never for me. “Friend?”

“We went to school together,” I explain, my mouth dry. “Jackson, this is Riot.”

Jackson doesn’t say a word to Riot but glances at me. “You know this guy?”

I don’t like the way he looks at Riot, like he’s something dirty. My irritation flares.

“He’s family.”

“You’re still in my fuckin’ seat,” Riot challenges. Even bruised and battered, he looks like an avenging angel. “Move.”

“Dude, there’s plenty of space. Why are you making it weird?”

Riot’s gaze flicks to me then back to Jackson.

Is he angry at how close we’re sitting?

“I’m not gonna repeat myself, Jason?—”

“Jackson.”

“—but if you don’t move before I finish speakin’, I’m gonna cut your dick off for so much as breathin’ in the direction of my girls.”

If it wasn’t for the fact he delivered this threat with the scariest grin I’ve ever seen, I would have melted at that.

His girls?Are we his?

Focus, Ivy. He just threatened to cut off Jackson’s dick.

Jackson doesn’t move, and Riot’s grin becomes even more unhinged.

“Riot, don’t.” The words bubble out of my closed throat as panic claws at my chest.

Seren cries, sensing my tension, and Riot’s attention flicks to the pram. The monster retreats, and he immediately softens.

“She okay?”

I don’t want to take my eyes off him and Jackson, but I turn, placing a hand on her stomach before I pick her up out of the pram, holding her to me as I rock her little body. “She’s fine. Just fussy.”

Satisfied, Riot’s gaze shifts back to Jackson before he claims the seat next to me.

“Butyoudon’t have to be so rude,” I chastise as Riot trails his fingers over Seren’s head.

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