Page 25 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)

I held out a hand, but rather than shake it, Jackson crossed his arms over

his chest.

He had an inch or two on my six-foot frame and probably twenty extra pounds of bulky muscle, but it took much more than brawn to intimidate me. Even on days like today, when the world was spinning the wrong way.

With my hand still extended between us, I met Jackson’s stare. A rush of familiar confidence sped through my veins as I refused to break first.

This. This is what I’d needed all day. A chance to put on the face I wore into intense negotiations. A chance to prove I couldn’t be bested. A chance to be the powerful man I was in the city. This guy didn’t know it, but he was doing me a huge favor by being an asshole.

I returned Jackson’s fiery glare with ice. To his credit, he lasted longer than most. But when he began shifting his weight from one foot to the other, I knew I’d won.

He dropped his arms and held out a meaty paw.

We shook, both of us squeezing harder than necessary, until he released me and I dropped my arm. The muscles in my shoulder burned a bit from holding out for so long.

“That was interesting.” Hazel smirked. “Jackson, do me a favor. Hook up that new keg of Miller Lite for me.”

“Sure.” He grunted and turned. But before he took a step, he spun back. With both hands placed on the bar, bracketing my water, he leaned forward to speak low. “I don’t care how much money you have. Hurt them and you’re dead.”

I nodded. “Understood.”

Jackson pushed off the bar, then disappeared down the hallway and out of sight.

“Don’t mind him,” Hazel said, propping a hip up against the bar. “He’s just protective of Thea.”

With one sentence, I was back on edge. Except now, my nerves were muddled with jealousy. A bitter taste spread across my tongue and I took a sip of water.

Thea had told me last night she wasn’t in a relationship, but did she have a history with Jackson? I loathed the idea of Thea with another man. My primal instincts reared up and I swallowed the urge to tell Jackson, I had her first.

But Thea wasn’t mine. I didn’t have a claim over her. Still, I liked her.

A lot.

Being with her all those years ago had been uncomplicated and freeing. Visiting with her last night in that old shed had brought it all back.

I liked how she didn’t expect anything from me. She didn’t have a hidden agenda. I liked how she quirked her eyebrow when she asked questions.

I liked that, above all else, she was a good mother. She thought about our child first and foremost.

Something I needed to do too, instead of worrying about Jackson and Thea. With another sip of water, I swallowed down my jealousy. It would likely surface again—Jackson wasn’t the only one possessive of Thea—but not today.

“I’m not here to hurt Thea or Charlie,” I told Hazel.

“I know that,” she said, getting her own glass of water. “Like I said. Don’t mind Jackson. We’re all just looking out for Thea.”

My spine stiffened. What had happened in Thea’s life that she had such fierce protectors? Was it her childhood? Or a man? Could she, or my daughter, be in danger?

“Is there something I should know? She’s not in trouble, is she?” Because whatever the problem, I’d make it disappear.

“No.” Hazel shook her head. “She’s not in trouble. But Thea has spent her whole life fighting. Don’t make her fight you.”

“Why would she need to fight me?”

She sipped her water. “For Charlie.”

“Ah. I see.” Everyone here was worried I would start a custody battle. “I won’t take Charlie from Thea. I told her the same last night.”

“Good.” Hazel nodded. “Don’t get me wrong. If you do want a fight, my money is on Thea. You might have a bigger bank account, but that woman is fierce. She’ll wipe the floor with you if it’s for Charlie. But she’s fought enough.”