Ardy gasped.
Dani laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy, and he’s a pretty piece of flesh. I’ve just been around and seen too much.” She shrugged.
“I get you. I never could understand what girls saw in my baby brother, Liam.” Ardy rolled her eyes.
“How do hot dogs and fried sound for lunch?” Dani said loud enough for the kids to hear.
Rocket and Harley cheered, and Ardy found herself pulled into the special brand of magic children possessed.
They ordered a combo and opted to eat in the bench area set up. Ardy soaked in the information Dani provided between bites of food. By the time they polished it all off, Ardy felt a lot less apprehensive.
“You sit here and marinate while I take the little monsters to the bathroom.”
“Dani?”
The blonde paused and glanced over her shoulder.
“Thank you for everything. Life is a whole lot less scary with you around.”
Dani winked. “I like you, Ardy.” She nodded and disappeared into the crowds.
“Funny how things change. You sure as hell aren’t on your high horse now, are you?” a masculine voice said.
Ardy turned around and rolled her eyes. Brad. Being the mayor’s son, he was used to getting everything he wanted, which meant the chocolate brown-haired boy with brilliant hazel eyes didn’t taken rejection well.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Ardy said, refusing to meet his gaze. She’d learned a long time ago the best thing to do with bullies was ignore them.
“Please, everyone’s talking about how your daddy pawned you off like some kind of whore.”
Her head snapped up, and she saw red. “What did you call me?”
“I bet you’re wishing you hadn’t turned your nose up at me now, aren’t you? I could’ve helped you out of this pickle. Instead, you had to go to these savages. Their kind
of filth will never rinse off.” Brad sneered, making a mockery of his cupid’s bow lips.
“As usual, you’re off the mark. What I’m doing is nannying, and I’d never come to you, Brad. You only want what you can’t have.”
“Uppity bitch.” Brad spat the words out like poison, but she’d grown used to ignoring it.
“I’m sorry, was that supposed to hurt my feelings?” She gifted him with a bored expression. His face turned red, and he took a step forward. She opened her mouth to rip him a new asshole, and her words lodged in her throat. Demon stood behind him. His lips were pulled into a straight line, and his eyes practically smoldered.
“Is there a problem here?” The rumbling voice made her want to hide underneath the picnic table. Did he hear the entire exchange?
Brad tensed and slowly turned to face Demon. “No, no problem at all. Just a misunderstanding.”
“Not what it looked like to me,” Demon said. “I don’t like it when my people are fucked with. You might want to remember that for future reference.”
The blood drained from Brad. “Look, man, I wasn’t trying to disrespect you.”
“No, just her, right? ‘Cause it makes you feel like a real man to harass a woman?” Demon scowled. “Run back to your daddy while I’m feeling forgiving.” Brad glared at her before he turned on his heel and stalked away. “An ex of yours?” Demon asked.
She grimaced. “I’d never have such a lapse in judgment, that’s his problem. He wants what he can’t have, spoiled prick.”
“Figures. I know his type.” Demon shook his head. “Weak people with power like to lord it over others because they know deep down they ain’t shit.” The venom in his words made her look at him with fresh eyes. That was the voice of experience.
“It’s okay. I could’ve handled him. I’m tougher than I look,” she said. He glanced at her and arched a brow. She laughed. “Well, when I’m not so nervous.”
“I told you no one would hurt you,” Demon said.