Page 24 of Puck and Prejudice

“I ended up with a broken nose and a concussion.” I take another sip of my beer, and my eyes connect with Izzie’s. She’s frowning, and I want to know why. “Do you have a comment, Izzie?”

She winces as if she’s surprised that I put her on the spot. “No comment.” She pushes her chair back and stands up.

Maybe it’s the alcohol making my tongue lose, but I ask, “Where are you going?”

“Why do you know want to know? Are you my daddy now?”

My brows arch, and my thoughts go straight to the gutter.

“Damn, I wishIwas her daddy,” Frederico says once she’s out of earshot.

I guess I’m not the only one who turned her comment into something dirty.

“I don’t think she meant the double entendre,” I grumble.

“I don’t know… she probably did,” Caroline interjects.

I’m glad that Jane and Chad are not sitting close to us and don’t hear her malicious comment.

From the corner of my eye, I see Wickham leave the table as well. I couldn’t stop him from coming to Triana, but I was glad he sat far away from me. I follow him with my eyes and see him disappear into the hallway that leads to the restrooms. Knowing him, I doubt he needs to pee. I bet he’s going after Izzie.

I shouldn’t care. Izzie isn’t a naïve eighteen-year-old girl. She doesn’t need my protection. I try to pay attention to what Frederico and Grayson are saying, but my mind is elsewhere. I last in my chair for a couple minutes before I go after Izzie.

* * *

IZZIE

My face is flushed. I can’t believe Jackson asked me point blank if I had a comment about his story. I usually would have, but I made the mistake of picturing Jackson fighting some hooligans and got all hot and bothered. I never had a thing for brutish men before, but the issue with Jackson is that he doesn’t act like he’d go all savage on someone’s ass. He’s proper and cold, and even when he was upset with me, he suppressed his anger. After witnessing him play, I know what he’s capable of. I suppose it’s the combination of cold and explosive that’s making my head spin.

Splashing cold water on my face helps a little, but I’m still out of sorts when I walk out of the restroom. I planned to head to the bar and say hello to Manuel, but I bump into Gavin.

“Hey.” I smile.

“Hi, there. Fancy seeing you here,” he replies cheekily.

“We didn’t have a chance to talk much tonight, did we?”

He shoves his hands in his pockets. “No. Darcy and his friends have hogged all your time.”

“Well… you’re sitting a bit far from me.”

“Only because you’re right across from Darcy. I give him a wide berth whenever possible.”

“That makes sense.”

He tilts his head. “Does it? Sometimes I think I’m the only one who’s able to see his true colors.”

Iamcurious why Gavin dislikes Jackson so much. If Jackson’s going to be a part of Jane’s life thanks to his friendship to Chad, I need to know the reason.

“I’m going to the bar to get a drink. Come and we’ll chat.”

“You’re on, but I’m buying.”

I shake my head. I doubt Manuel will charge me. “Sure.”

We’re halfway to the bar when Jackson appears out of nowhere and blocks our path. “I see you couldn’t stay away from Izzie for very long.” He looks at Gavin—well, not looks, glowers.

“What’s your problem, Darcy?” Gavin asks.

---