Royal Savage

by Victoria Ashley

  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.”

  “Am I too smart for that though?” I question, ignoring everything he has just said. “What is your deal with Royal that you think you’re so much better than him?”

  He lets out a dickish laugh, as if the answer to that is obvious. “Look at him, Avalon. Open your pretty little eyes and look. He’s dangerous, twisted in the head, and doesn’t care about anything around him. He will hurt anyone that gets in his way. You have no idea of the shit he’s done in the past; shit so fucking dark that I don’t even want to bring it up.”

  “That’s the past,” I point out. “He’s not going to hurt me. In fact . . .” I stand up and lean over the table. “He’s done nothing but try to keep me safe. When I’m with him, he gives me his full attention. He doesn’t let me out of his sight, which is the total opposite of you. All you’ve tried to do for the last four months is keep me at a distance and pretend like I’m not even in the same room.”

  “That’s not fair,” he complains. “You know damn well that my job keeps me busy.” He reaches across the table and grabs my hands. “Stay away from my brother and come to my place. You can stay there every night if you want to. Hell, you can even move in.”

  A feeling of discomfort takes over as he rubs his thumbs across the tops of my hands. His touch is making me feel sick to my stomach. “Colton.” I pull my hands away and sit back down to get away from him. “I don’t want that. We’re done.”

  “No,” he says while jumping to his feet and rushing over to my side of the table. “Don’t do this to us. You’re going to regret it.”

  He desperately reaches for my hands and attempts to pull me to my feet. “Don’t touch me, Colton.” I keep trying to sit back down, but he keeps pulling at me to stand up, his grip on my wrists tightening. “Let go, asshole!”

  Out of instinct, I lift my knee and connect it to his balls. He instantly releases my wrists and doubles over, holding his precious jewels. “Shiiit!”

  “Fuck you, asshole.” I reach for my purse and lean in close to his ear. “Don’t ever put your hands on me again. You never did know how to touch me right.”

  I look around me and take a deep breath when I notice everyone watching us. “I’m leaving. Just eat your damn food,” I say harshly.

  Shaking, I rush out the door and jump into my jeep, slamming the door behind me.

  I’m so pissed off right now that all I want to do is choke Colton and scream at the top of my lungs.

  Right now, I feel stupid for ever dating someone like him in the first place. Him and that Misty bitch belong together. I never belonged in his world. I just wished I saw that earlier.

  Not giving two shits about anything at the moment, I pull out my phone and start typing.

  Avalon: I need to see you. I’m on my way to your house.

  A small wave of relief washes over me at the thought of seeing Royal. I have no idea what’s to come of it, but it’s the only thing I want to do right now and there’s no way I can fight it.

  I need to see this man’s beautiful, broken face, and I don’t care at what cost . . .

  PUSHING MY BLACK HOOD BACK, I run a hand through my sweaty hair and pull my last cigarette out of the pack, before tossing the empty package in the backseat.

  With tired eyes, I scope out the dump in front of me, while bringing the cigarette to my lips and lighting it, in hopes of calming my nerves a bit. I’m getting anxious, really fucking anxious, and my patience is running low.

  I’ve been sitting across the street from Pete’s house, chilling in my truck for the last thirty minutes, and counting down the minutes until he arrives. I know that stupid fuck will be here soon, and I plan on surprising him with a little visit before he can disappear and hide out.

  He gets off work at seven o’clock on the dot and arrives home a quarter after. I’ve done my research. His club might protect him when they’re in his presence, because they have no other choice, but that doesn’t do shit for him when he’s alone and in my hands.

  Taking another long drag, I watch as Pete’s broken down Dodge Neon pulls into the driveway.

  My heart instantly comes alive with adrenaline and my blood starts pumping as I watch him jump out of the brown shitbox and slam the rusty door shut. For being a mechanic he sure as shit doesn’t put any of his skills into fixing his own car . . .

  I wait until he’s pulling out his keys to unlock the house door before I step out of my truck and crack my neck, tossing my cigarette across the yard.

  Walking fast, I rush up the steps in three long strides and place my foot in the door, right as he’s attempting to close it.

  “Ah fuck!” Pete pushes against the door to close it when he notices it’s me, but quickly realizes that he’s fucked and I’m not going anywhere. “Crazy, dark motherfucker.”

  Lifting a brow, I stand up straight and kick his door open, sending him flying back to land on the floor. “I’m crazy as hell.” I cock a brow as I look down at him. “The devil is in my veins and he’s about to come out and play.”

  Slamming the door shut, I lock it behind me and grab his neck, pulling him up to his feet. I swing out my fist, connecting it to his mouth, then swing again before he can even recover.

  Cussing, he grabs his jaw and stumbles back, attempting to back away from me. “Are you fucking serious? In my own damn house.”

  “Dead fucking serious,” I say tightly. “I suggest you tell me what the fuck I need to know.” I pull out my knife and rub my thumb across the blade. “Or you’ll be riding that piece of shit bike one handed for a while.”

  He picks up an empty beer bottle and tosses it at my head, missing. “Shit!” He jumps over his couch and quickly falls to the floor to reach underneath it.

  I wasn’t born yesterday. I know he’s packing and most likely keeps an extra there for quick access.

  I spin my knife around and kneel down, stabbing it through his hand before he can pull his gun out.

  He screams out in pain and grabs at the knife with his good hand. “Fuck me! Shit! Shit! Take it out!”

  Pinning his free hand under my boot, I grab the knife handle and slightly twist it, leaning close to his greasy face. “Tell me when the fuck Brian is coming, you stupid piece of shit!”

  He doesn’t say anything, so I push down on the knife, making him scream out again as blood gushes from his shaking hand. “Okay!” He screams. “Okay. Okay.” He closes his eyes and takes a few small breaths. “All I know is that he’s coming to town either next week or the week after. He’ll be around for a few days visiting some old friends.”

  I suck in a deep breath and slowly release it. My whole body is screaming to cut his fucking heart out. “That’s all you know, Petey?” I grab the handle tighter and pretend to twist it again.

  He instantly cries out and starts squirming below me. “Yes! I swear. That’s all he said.”

  Leaning my head back, I growl out, before ripping the knife out of his hand and standing up.

  Pete rolls over and cradles his fucked up hand in his slightly less fucked up hand. “He’ll be contacting me once he gets to town. I know he’ll stop by at some point to visit. Fuck this shit. Brian can fuck off now.” He grabs his hand tighter and crawls to his knees in pain. “Fuck!”

  “I’ll be watching. Thanks for the info, Asshole.” I wipe my blade off on his dirty brown couch, before letting myself out and shutting the door behind me.

  I jump back inside my truck and look around for a cigarette, punching the steering wheel when I remember that I’m out.

  “Shit!”

  I run both of my hands through my hair and look over toward the passenger seat when I notice the light on my phone blinking.

  I�
��m surprised as shit to see who the message is from. I almost don’t open it, but realize that I can’t stop my fingers from moving.

  Avalon: I need to see you. I’m on my way to your house.

  I read her message a few times, taking in her use of words. She needs to see me . . . I get a small ache in my chest at the thought of her needing me.

  My heart sinks when I look at the time, noticing that it’s been almost an hour since she sent the message.

  Without taking the time to reply, I drop my phone into my lap and grip the steering wheel to get my thoughts in check.

  My plan was to stay far away from her so there’s no chance of pulling her into my hell, but the thought of her waiting for me has me pulling off and heading toward my house like an idiot, hoping that she’s still there.

  Fuck. If you’re smart . . . you’ll be gone.

  I STARE UP AT THE night sky while taking a bite of my Snickers bar and replaying tonight’s dinner in my head. I’m still so heated over our conversation and the way he handled me.

  The thought of me ever seeing something in Colton makes me angry with myself. It’s embarrassing that I dealt with him for as long as I did and makes me feel like an idiot.

  He was full of himself and always did well at making me feel as if I wasn’t good enough. I just looked past it for too long.

  Well I’m done now . . .

  I look down at my phone when it buzzes in my hand. Yes, I’ve been holding it, waiting for a response from Royal. My heart does a little happy dance, but then drops to my stomach when I see that it’s Madison and not Royal like I was hoping it’d be.

  Holding the candy bar with my mouth to free both hands, I open her text and read it.

  Madison: Please tell me you didn’t change your mind and you’re still with that douche face. Please!

  Avalon: Colton is long gone . . . I’m sitting outside of Royal’s house, waiting for him to get home. If he’s not back soon, then I’m coming home. You there?

  Madison: Oh damn! If you’re outside of Royal’s house . . . I better not see your ass for a long time. That man is . . . I don’t even need to say it. You’re not blind. Not anymore at least. If you leave before he gets home I will dropkick you.

  Avalon: Ha! Ha! Funny . . . I would love to see you try, short ass. BUT you’re right. I had to have been blind to deal with Colton’s shit for as long as I did.

  Madison: Fuck yes! And STUPID . . . so tell me . . . Did he pee his pants or at least cry this time? *crosses fingers*

  Avalon: Unfortunately . . . no. But yours truly did knee him in the balls. So . . . you’re WELCOME!

  Madison: YES! My life is complete now.

  Smiling from Madison’s last message, I look up from my phone when I hear a truck coming down the long driveway. My heart begins racing.

  “Please be Royal. Please be Royal,” I chant softly, while standing up to get a better look.

  My heart about leaps out of my chest with excitement when I see that it’s Royal’s black truck, but then quickly sinks at the realization that he may not even want me here.

  I sent him a message over an hour ago and he never responded. He may not even be expecting me to be here.

  Grabbing my candy bar from my mouth, I wrap it back up the best I can and watch as he exits his truck, slamming the door behind him.

  He stands on the other side of the truck for a few minutes, before his feet start moving.

  The first thing that I notice as he steps around his truck is that he’s wearing a black hoodie and his hands are stained in what looks like dried blood. The second thing I notice as the blue lighting hits his face is that the area underneath both of his eyes is bruised and slightly swollen.

  I toss my Snickers aside and rush down the porch in a panic, my whole body screaming to take care of him and pull him into my arms in comfort.

  Instead, I stop in front of him and gently run my fingers over his beautiful face as he stands there breathing heavily.

  “Holy shit, Royal. What happened to you? Are you okay?”

  He looks at me, his eyes tearing into my soul, paralyzing me. All I feel in this moment is his pain and suffering, and it feels like my heart is being ripped from my chest. Only Royal has the power to make me feel so damn much from one single look.

  “My hell is what happened. Nothing that you should be concerned with.”

  Swallowing, I pull my hands away from his face and drop them to my sides. I’m afraid to know this next part, but ask it anyways. “Did you hurt someone?”

  My heart beats wildly against my ribcage, waiting for an answer. “Not as much as he deserved.”

  Seeing the pain in his eyes is enough for me to understand, and I find my words coming out without me thinking. “You shouldn’t have stopped then.”

  His eyes widen a bit as if he wasn’t expecting my response, and he slowly starts walking at me. Unable to pull my eyes away from his, I walk backwards, stepping back every time he steps forward, until I’m pressed against the door.

  He brings his bloodied hands up to press against the door, pinning me in. Then he leans in until his lips are hovering above mine, only a small breath away. His voice is thick with emotion as he stares into my eyes and speaks. “You think I should have kept going?”

  I nod my head and grab both of his arms, squeezing them through the thick fabric. “If he hurt you, then yes.”

  He breathes against my lips, causing me to tilt my head and brush my lips against his, wanting to taste him.

  “What did you need me for? Did someone hurt you?” He questions in a tensed voice.

  I shake my head. “I just had dinner with Colton and broke it off for good. The only thing I could think of as I was rushing out of there was coming here.”

  He moves his body closer to mine, bringing his arms against the side of my head. His smell is so damn hypnotic, bringing me to close my eyes. “Yeah . . . and how did he take it?”

  Doesn’t he realize how hard it is to talk with him this close? He looks and smells too good to be true.

  “He wasn’t happy,” I admit. “He wanted me to stay with him, but when I refused he grabbed my wrists and kept trying to force me against him.”

  Royal’s jaw tenses and his gray eyes darken as he scans my face. “So he did fucking hurt you?”

  I smile small to show him that I’m okay. “When he wouldn’t let go I kneed him in the balls. The fucker got my message loud and clear. He was holding his junk and whining when I left.”

  Royal’s lips turn up into a half smile, making my insides melt from the beauty. “Good.”

  He finally backs away from me and digs in his pocket, pulling out a set of keys. After he unlocks the door, he turns to me. “You ready for that other tattoo?” He motions for me to walk inside first. “I could use the distraction.”

  “Me too. I’m more than ready.” I walk inside first, stopping and waiting for him to shut the door behind him and lead the way.

  “Go downstairs. Wait for me in my room.” He yanks his hoodie over his head, pulling it off, and looks down at his dirty hands. “I need to shower first and wash this shit away.”

  I look at his firm chest, pressing against his black tee, and swallow. It fits him so damn well, and looks extremely sexy, showing off his sculpted, inked arms. “Take your time,” I breathe softly.

  Pulling his eyes away, he turns and walks away, pulling his shirt over his head, before jogging up the stairs to the top floor.

  I wait until he disappears before walking down the hall and into the kitchen in search of some water or something to drink. My mouth suddenly feels extremely dry.

  “Whoa!” I cover my face with my hand and back into the wall when I see Jax’s firm ass, flexing as he fucks some leggy chick on the kitchen table. “Shit! I’m sorry.”

  Jax laughs and keeps going about his business as if he could care less. “What you looking for, babe?”

  I peek around my hand to see Jax roll his hips and then thrust forward hard as shit, making the
redhead scream out and grip the table. “I was just thirsty. I’ll go.”

  “There’s shit in the fridge. You’re not bothering us,” he says with a slight growl as he pounds into her again and turns away from me.

  “I’m good.” I back out of the kitchen and rush down the hall, feeling embarrassed that I just witnessed Jax fucking.

  “Oh. My. Goodness.”

  It was hot; extremely hot, I admit, and definitely not something that I’ve ever walked in on before. Well I did walk in on Madison once, but they were both under the covers . . . Thank God, but Jax . . . hot damn.

  Catching my breath, I walk down the stairs to the cool basement and let myself into Royal’s bedroom. I look around in curiosity as I take in his oversized bed that I slept in not too long ago.

  The memory of that night causes my heart to beat wildly in my chest. My body is still aching for him to touch me since he refused to that night, but I quickly shake off the thought and plop down in the middle of his bed to wait for him.

  Everything in his room is either black or gray. There’s a black chair that sits next to his bed, and across from his bed is a black, leather couch with gray pillows.

  Grabbing the remote off the nightstand, I turn on the huge TV that’s hanging on the wall above the couch and turn it on to keep me distracted.

  When I go to place the remote back, I notice a black knife. Letting my hands wander, I pick it up and look at it, trying to imagine what Royal uses it for. Oddly, it sends a surge of excitement through me.

  About twenty minutes later, Royal walks into his room, shirtless with a pair of sweats hanging low on his narrow hips. I can’t turn my eyes away as he stands there just looking at me.

  His body and hair is still wet, as if he just jumped out of the shower and got dressed without even bothering to dry off first. It’s a glorious sight to take in, and all I want to do is run my tongue over his slick body and lick the water off. Screw the bottle of water I was searching for when I walked in on Jax. This looks much more fulfilling.