He leans over the bar to talk quietly, even though the only people that remain are Blaine, two older regulars, and myself; none in which could care less about the drama that just went down. They see that shit and worse, every other week.

“One day it’s not going to be me that they send. It’s going to be some asshole cop trying to be brave and prove a point that puts you in cuffs. Remember that shit before you end up in a cell.”

I release my grip on the bar and stand up straight, rubbing my middle finger over my left eyebrow. “I’m in hell no matter where I’m at,” I say stiffly.

Mark gives me a somewhat sympathetic look and stands up to leave. “Just don’t make me come back here again today. I’m going to get my ass handed to me if I don’t take someone with me next time. Got it?”

I lift a brow at him. “You know it, Officer.”

He turns to walk away.

“Hey.”

He stops walking and turns around.

“How’s the new ink?”

Smiling, he lifts his arm, showing off the eagle I put there last week. “It’s as good as it was when you put it there.”

I nod my head. “Alright. See you in a few weeks for the next one?”

He laughs. “No one’s better than you. That’s why you better keep your ass on the outside world. I can’t finish this sleeve with you behind bars, taking out every asshole that looks in your direction.”

I give him a half-ass smile. It’s about all I can manage right now. “Good. Now get the fuck out of my bar.”

“On it. I’ve got other shit to do anyway. Real criminals to deal with.”

Blaine pats him on the back and nods at him as he walks past him and out the door.

He waits a few seconds before turning to me and pulling out a cigarette. “What the fuck you going to do about Brian?”

I walk out from behind the bar and take a seat on top of one of the tables, bringing a bottle with me. “What I have to do.” I tilt back the bottle of whiskey and then hold it between my legs, clenching it as tightly as I can. “As soon as I find the fucker . . . he’s dead.”

I LOOK UP FROM MY uncle Mark’s huge TV when I finally notice him leaning over the couch above me, repeating my name.

“Huh? Were you saying something?” I look up with wide eyes and shake my head as I take in his amused expression. “What?” I ask again.

He laughs and walks around to plop down on the couch next to me, nudging me with his elbow. “It’s your day off, kid. Why in the world are you here on my couch, eating my chips?”

I smile back at him and try to pretend to act normal. “Oh . . . no reason. It’s just been a while since we’ve hung out. That’s all. I figured you could use the company.”

“Seriously? More like I could use some sleep. I feel like I haven’t seen my pillow in days.” He grabs the bowl of chips out of my hand and starts digging in, eyeing me over curiously. “Have you heard from your mom? She said she was going to call you when she got back from California.”

Annoyed, I shake my head. I don’t even know why he bothered with that question when we both already know the answer. “Does she ever really call? Come on. She’s too busy dealing with her perfect little life and current fuck to worry about her only daughter.” I roll my eyes and grab a handful of chips, eating out of the palm of my hand. “I could be dead in a gutter for all she knows.”

“I would never allow that to happen. She knows that.” Mark gives me a look of sympathy. “She’s always been selfish, Avalon. It’s nothing personal towards you. Trust me. I dealt with her for fourteen years, until the day she moved out of your grandparents’ house. She wasn’t easy having as an older sister.” He stands up and hands the bowl back to me. “Why do you think she can’t keep a guy around for longer than a few months? The woman is annoying as shit.”

We both smile.

“And because she sucks at communicating,” I say matter-of-factly. “Very much.”

“Exactly.” He pulls out his phone when it goes off in his pocket. “Shit. I should take this. I’ll be back.”

“Alright.” I turn back to the TV and try to get back into my show when Mark disappears into the hallway to take his call.

The real reason I’m here is because Madison is at work and I didn’t want to be alone in my thoughts all day. I tried for a few hours this morning and all I could think about was picking up my phone and messaging Royal to ask him why he was such a dick. Yes, things got a little sexual between us. We were both drinking and vulnerable. That’s it. There’s nothing to be mad about.

I haven’t spoken to him since he dropped me off at my car the other day and for some reason, that bothers me. I’ve gone days without talking to Colton before and have never felt this way.

I figured if I spend most of the day at my uncle’s that he could at least keep me busy so I won’t give into this silly temptation to make a fool of myself. I don’t even want Royal to know that he’s crossed my mind since the other day.

Mark appears back in the living room about ten minutes later, looking more exhausted than he did when he walked away. He looks down at me on the couch and rubs his hands over his face, clearly tired. “I need sleep. Lots of it. You’re welcome to stay here until your dinner with Colton tonight, but if you bother me I’ll cuff your ass and shove you in the back of my police car until I wake back up.”

A small smile appears on his tired face and I can’t help but to smile back.

This man is who I take after. He’s the one that I’ve grown up with since I was fifteen, and he’s more family to me than my mother ever will be. I love him for that and am lucky to have him around. I don’t know where I’d be without him.

“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.”