“Just go to sleep, Mark. I know you need it.” I look up at the clock on the wall and grunt when I notice the time. As much as I don’t want to see Colton, it has to be done, and I’m the lucky lady to do it. “I have to meet Colton in less than an hour anyways. I’ll clean my mess and lock up on the way out.”

“Good luck. Just do me a favor.”

I stand up and wipe my hands off on my jeans. “Yeah?”

“Make sure you get it on video if he cries. The guys at the station would get a kick out of that.”

“Seriously!”

He nods his head. “Dead serious.”

“Why does everyone think he’ll cry? Does he really come off as that much of a pussy, Mark?” He nods again. “That’s it. I’m done with pretty boys. No more.”

“I’m surprised you dealt with that one for as long as you have. I just hope this guy on the Harley that Madison was talking about isn’t bad news. You’ve been so good for the last couple of years and I’d hate to see you mess up because of some guy. I’m up for you having fun and dating a tough guy instead of that pussy, but if he hurts you, I’ll have to kill him. Arresting him might not be enough.”

My heart instantly flutters at the mention of Royal. He’s definitely bad news; every single inch of his beautifully tattooed flesh, and I want nothing more than to run my tongue across it.

I clear my throat and close my eyes, mad that I’m letting my thoughts go there. “There’s nothing going on with Harley dude, so there’s nothing to worry about. Ignore Madison. She’s crazy and we both know it.” I wave my arms at him to move him along to his room. I suddenly don’t need his company anymore and can’t wait to escape him. “Now, get your beauty rest. You look a hot mess. I’ll be fine.”

“Better be,” he says while crinkling his forehead. “Don’t forget to lock the door. I’m passing the hell out while I have the chance.”

“Got it,” I mutter. “I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know what happened.”

I wait until my uncle disappears into his bedroom, before cleaning up my mess and locking the door on my way out.

Jumping into my car, I toss my purse into the passenger seat and look over at it. Then I start my jeep and look back over at it again, losing my will power.

“Ah . . . screw it.”

I reach into my purse and grab my phone out, typing out a quick message to Royal.

Avalon: Your cold attitude wasn’t necessary yesterday. No worries . . . I plan to keep my distance.

Letting out a long breath, my shoulders relax a bit as I look down at the message being sent. As soon as it goes through, I toss my phone back over to the passenger seat and head home.

I don’t check my phone again until after I take a quick shower and throw on my favorite pair of holy jeans and a thin, black top that hangs off my right shoulder. I don’t have to impress Colton anymore and it feels so good showing him that.

When I unlock my phone, my stomach does flips at the sight of Royal’s name along with three missed texts.

Royal: It was more necessary than you know, Avalon . . .

Royal: I almost lost my shit with you and I’m not sure you can handle it.

Royal: Where are you at right now?

Swallowing, I hit the box to his last message and stare at my phone, going crazy inside, as I try to come up with a response. Just the thought of replying has my heart racing so hard that I can feel it pulsing in my fingertips.

I let out a small breath when my phone starts vibrating in my hand to a call from Colton. That’s when I realize the time. Colton has never been a patient man.

“I’m on my way,” I say quickly into the phone. “Walking out the door now.”

“I’ll be waiting,” he responds. “I’m already seated at a table so try to hurry so I don’t look like a lonely idiot, please.”

“I’ll try my best,” I mumble. “Gotta go so I can drive.” I hang up before he can respond.

Feeling anxious, I decide now is not the best time to reply to Royal’s messages, so I lock the screen and quickly shove my phone in my purse.

Plus, I still have no idea how to respond, but his words definitely have my heart going crazy with curiosity. Everything he does and says does.

THE LAST TWENTY MINUTES HAVE been nothing short of awkward, as we’ve sat here making small talk. I decided to wait until after we order our food, so I can at least get some delicious food inside my stomach before ruining our little dinner date. We just got done placing our orders about five minutes ago.

“So . . .” Colton says over the top of his water glass. “Did it feel good to have my brother’s fingers inside of you at my parents’ dinner?”

Slamming my glass of soda down, I look him in the eyes. “Yes,” I admit. “Did it feel good to fuck your partner the other night and probably many other nights before that?”

His body stiffens and he anxiously fixes the collar of his black shirt. “There is nothing going on with Misty.” He tries to sound convincing, but completely fails. His guilty blue eyes give him away.

“Let’s not sit here and pretend that we have a chance of us working out, Colton.”

We both smile up at the waitress as she drops our food off and asks us if we need anything else. She walks away when we both shake our heads.

“And why is that?” He watches me with hard eyes as I dig into my chicken alfredo. “Because you’re fucking my filthy brother and probably getting gangbanged by his tatted up, biker friends? Is that the kind of shit you like now?”

Taking Royal’s approach, I do my best to stay calm. That seemed to really work Colton up at dinner a few nights ago, and pissing him off as much as I possibly can has just become my fucking goal now. I was going to play it as nice as I could. “Not yet.” I look up and flash him a smile, before taking another bite of my food. “I’m waiting until I can get Royal, Jax, and Blaine at the same time. The other boys were busy the other night.”

Leaning over the table, he slams his fist down. “Dammit . . .” He looks around to be sure no one’s watching, before continuing. “I’m sorry. I know you’re not sleeping with Royal. You’re smarter than that. I’m just upset because I want you back with me. This break is not working for me. I’m completely stressed without you.”