51. Chapter 51
Chapter fifty-one
Maddox
I watch the color drain from Ivy’s face, Emily’s eyes twinkle in satisfaction.
“Emily," I grit out.
“What?” She shrugs.
“What is she talking about?” Brady chuckles and glances at Ivy.
“They didn’t tell you?” Emily crosses her arms.
“Emily. Now isn't the time,” I warn.
He frowns. “What is she talking about, Maddox?”
Fuck. Not tonight. Definitely not tonight.
“Nothing. Why don’t I get you home.”
“She’s been fucking him," Emily sneers. “Has been for years.”
Ivy jumps from the stool, her eyes frantic.
Brady looks at her, before looking at me. “Ivy? And you?” He lets out a dry laugh. “No way. She wouldn’t even spread those pretty little legs for me.”
“Watch your fucking mouth," I snap, taking one step farther to bump my chest with his.
Her searches my face, and he must see it, because he scoffs. “Wow.” He looks over to Ivy. “So that’s why you ended us. You were too busy riding my brother’s dick?”
“Brady,” Ivy hisses. “It wasn’t like that. And how dare you when you were screwing anything with a pulse.”
“It wasn’t like that huh?” Emily waltzes up to Ivy. “What happened in the barn, Ivy?” She lifts a brow. “I followed y’all.” She peers back at me. “I’m pretty sure what I saw was fucking.” She faces Ivy, her hands planted on her hips. “I would know. He’s fucked me plenty of times.”
The hurt on Ivy’s face practically rips my heart out. I bolt toward Emily, right when Brady’s fist connects with my jaw. Shaking my head, I lunge, tackling him to the ground before he can do any more damage. Loud voices filter around me, and I feel two arms catapult me off of him. Cooper holds my arms, as Hoss and Shorty wrangle Brady.
“You stole her from me!” Brady yells as he fights against their hold. “You took him from me too,” he spits. “You took dad, and you just couldn’t help yourself. You had to take her too.”
“Enough!” Shorty growls. “Penelope, call the station!”
“You good?” Cooper asks as I break from his grip.
“I’m fine," I grit out. My eyes scan for Ivy, and when I find her, Emily is still in her face, spewing her venom that I take complete responsibility for.
I take one stride on the way to my girl when Laiken comes out of nowhere, her palm meeting Emily’s cheek with a force I had no idea she had in her.
“ That’s the last time you will insult her or my brothers.” Laiken’s tone is sharp, her eyes blazing.
Holy shit, I’ve never seen Laiken even get remotely angry.
“Don’t worry guys. I’ll take out the trash.” Dakota saunters up, grabbing a fist full of Emily’s hair before leading her out the exit, kicking and screaming.
I look around the room, examining the shit show that just took place when my gaze lands on Ivy in my sister’s arms. And I’m terrified that I just lost her.
After the officers spoke with Penelope, I convinced them to let Laiken take Brady home. The last thing he needed was a night in jail to compromise his place at the fire house and I knew tonight was just a bad night in general. Add in the Emily show, and he was bound to blow.
Dakota has her arm around Ivy. I watch them leave through the front entrance as I walk over to Cooper.
“Ivy is driving Dakota,” he says, running a hand over his clean shaved face.
“I’m sorry it came out this way.” I palm my neck. “We planned to have a normal conversation and let everyone know.”
Cooper just shakes his head. “I’ve known for a long time, Maddox. Honestly, I was surprised it hadn’t happened yet.”
“You knew?” I ask.
Amusement shines on his face. “You demanded to be the one to care for Ivy’s horse when she left. In my barn.” He points to his chest. “You staked your claim in a lot of subtle ways, man. And I caught on pretty quick.”
“And what do you think about it?”
I shove my hands in the pockets of my jeans, waiting on his answer.
“I think if you make each other happy, what else matters?” He slaps my shoulder. “Let’s go Romeo. I’ll drive.”