People start whispering, talking shit about how ‘dangerous’ the two men look, but I ignore them all. Who the hell are they to judge? Stuck up assholes. Now, I really want to get out of here and away from this party.

I slam my empty beer cup down and take off in the direction of our uninvited guests. I’m both curious as to why Royal is here and why the hell Colton never told me he had a brother to begin with.

Colton turns to me and scrunches his forehead in annoyance when I approach him, Royal, and Jax in the driveway. I hadn’t even known it was Jax until now. He surprisingly smiles at me and lifts an eyebrow, before setting his helmet down as if he didn’t just have to kick me out of his house last night. “Stay with the party please. Tell them that I’m taking care of something and I’ll be right back. It will only take a minute. Just let me get rid of them.”

Jax and Royal both watch me as I brush my hair behind my ear and growl under my breath.

I swear my heart stops. It’s as if I’ve just walked into tattooed, bearded, man-bun heaven, and I’m hoping there isn’t an exit. I can’t help but to watch them watch me.

“Basement girl,” Jax says with a smirk, not hiding the fact that he’s surprised to see me here. “Sorry about the party. Next time, babe.”

Royal looks me up and down, but doesn’t say a word. His eyes cause shivers to run up my spine, chilling me to the bone.

“Oh great,” Colton complains. “It was their party you were at last night? Big surprise.”

I tilt my head and turn to face Colton. He’s really testing me today and I’m not beyond making a fool of myself in front of all of his fancy guests. “And what the hell is that supposed to mean, Colton?”

“Nothing,” Colton snaps, regretfully. “I didn’t mean it. This is just a big fucking deal for me, and these assholes showing up with their tattoos and motorcycles aren’t making me look good. To my guests they are viewed as uncivilized troublemakers. Royal has a bad image and reputation, and I don’t want that brought here.”

“So you need someone else making you look good?” I question, now completely pissed off by his disrespect. “I hardly think them showing up is going to ruin your chances with potential clients. They haven’t done anything disrespectful. What is your deal? I can’t stand it when you’re like this, which is happening more and more frequently.”

Royal smirks and leans against his bike, pulling out a cigarette. He seems pleased with my response. “Calm down big brother. No need to piss your fucking fancy slacks.” He lights his cigarette and takes a long drag from it, slowly blowing the smoke back out. “I just came to tell you that Riley fucking died yesterday. Thought you might want to know. Didn’t come to crash your little wine party.”

Colton throws his arms up and shakes his head, as if he’s just ready to get back to his guests. “Yeah, well I’m not surprised. That’s what happens when you live his lifestyle, and I won’t be surprised if you end up like him soon.”

Pissed off and looking as if he’s about to lose it, Royal tosses his cigarette down and steps up to Colton, getting in his face. “You’ve known Riley since you were in fucking diapers and that’s the kind of disrespect you show?” His jaw tightens as he wraps his tatted up fingers around Colton’s neck and squeezes.

“You’re a real piece of shit, brother.” He shoves him back, causing Colton to gasp and lose his balance.

I’ve known Colton to be a dick, but this is on a whole new level. I can’t even look at him right now without being disgusted. I feel like choking him my damn self, so I don’t blame Royal or feel pity for Colton one bit. Someone he knows just died and he shows no emotion, nothing at all. All he cares about is his stupid perfect life. “Colton, you’re an asshole. This is unbelievable. Un-fucking believable. I’m out.”

“Just great,” Colton yells out, running a hand through his perfectly styled, blonde hair, and rubbing his pink neck. He backs away from Royal and grunts, while looking over at me. “Why don’t you just leave with my brother here then? Go ahead.” He crosses his arms and watches me, testing me. “There’s plenty of room on the back of his bike.”

“Fine.” Clearly not thinking straight, I walk over to Royal’s bike and stop, swallowing hard as I look him in the face. Royal instantly grabs for his helmet and places it on my head, looking me in the eyes the whole damn time. He’s good with those damn things; too good. I pull my eyes away from his, clear my throat, and turn to Colton. “Enjoy your little party. I know you’ll show them more respect than you’ve clearly just shown your own damn brother. The one that I never even knew you had, by the way.”

“Marie . . .” he scolds, as if I’m a child. “I was joking. Don’t leave.” He clenches his fists at his sides as he watches me hop onto the back of Royal’s bike and scoot up behind him. “Get off my brother’s bike. It’s dangerous. He’s dangerous and careless.”

I suck in a deep breath as Royal starts his bike and grabs my arms, wrapping them around his waist with force. His hands feel rough against my skin, the total opposite of Colton’s smooth fingers. “Hold on tight, Darlin’, and don’t fucking let go.”

Colton’s eyes land on my arms around Royal’s waist and he grinds his jaw in disapproval. “Off. Now.”

I place the exposed skin of my cheek against Royal’s hard back, facing Colton. I’m doing this now. No turning back. “No,” I growl up at him, wrapping my arms tighter around Royal. “And my name is Avalon for the last damn time. Goodbye, Colton. Don’t call me until you’re done being an ass.”

Jax laughs from beside us and then hops on his bike, flicking his cigarette at Colton. “Later, bitch.”

Colton watches in disbelief as Royal takes off with me on the back of his bike. It seems his friends look just as confused as their eyes land on us.

I allow myself to watch his shocked reaction for a few seconds, before turning away and holding on for dear life. I’ve never been on a motorcycle and I can’t deny that I’m scared shitless right now.

Somehow escaping Colton seemed worth the risk. If there’s one thing that I hate, it’s judgmental assholes that think they’re too good for others, and that’s all Colton has been all day. I’m over it right now.