I moved forward and Colton let me. I reached back for his hand with my head held high.
Jay turned his attention to Colton. “You let her act like that with anyone? I never had her pegged for a whore, or you for sharing.” Colton’s hand gripped mine tightly, but he kept his relaxed composure. I stiffened at the terminology, the echo of my mother in my head still, but Colton let out a low laugh.
“You just don’t get it do you?” Colton said to Jay. “We needed to know how deeply involved you were, now we know. Thanks to Ari. Your attempts to get me to fight you? Calling her a whore? Please,” Colton shook his head mockingly, “don’t be pathetic. Your friends are watching.” Tugging my hand, he pulled me into him. I looked up at him and he smiled at me, he dipped his head for another quick kiss. Well it was meant to be quick, I caught his head and maybe kept him in the kiss longer than intended. When I released him, we left.
Unaided. Unscathed. Triumphant.
We made it to my car before my legs gave way. Colton caught me and with his arm round me, I leaned against the front of my car. I noticed the two SUVs. My head rested on Cole’s chest.
He kissed the top of my head.
I looked up and Matt pulled me out of Colton’s arms and wrapped his arms round me. Then it was Theo.
“You have got to stop killing me Bit,” Matt growled.
I nodded, I felt the lump in my throat. “I know, I’m sorry,” I reached out and he grabbed my hand.
“You played that well.” I jumped at the sound of the voice.Tattoo Neck. I was pushed behind Colton in an instant. Matt and Theo were on either side of me, Connor pushed Corey behind him.
He stood in the shadows, smoking a cigarette.
“What do you want?” Colton demanded softly.
“Making sureyourgirl was ok,” Aaron shrugged and flicked the cigarette away. He stood straight. His eyes ran over me. I stepped forward. Colton protested but I slipped my hand into his.
“You told Colton where I was?” I asked.
Tattoo Neck nodded.
“Why?”
He studied me. Then he winked. “Be careful Arielle, let your boys take care of you,” he nodded to Colton and turned to walk away.
“Aaron!” I called. He stopped, he didn’t turn all the way but he turned his head a little. I took another step forward, Colton’s hand tensed slightly but he gave me the freedom to move forward.
“Thank you.”
Another nod.
“I don’t understand why,” I confessed.
Aaron turned back to me, he was still half hidden in the shadows – but I could see he wasn’t looking at me – his eyes were on Colton. “I told you, I don’t like being played. You fight fair, you win fair,” Aaron came out of the shadows, he looked straight at me. I almost stepped back into the safety of Colton’s arms. “My brother wasn’t fighting fair with you, I evened the odds.”
I swallowed hard. The alternatives of what could have happened had he not thought that, wasn’t worth thinking about.
Aaron’s eyes snapped back to Colton, “Game’s even now, you come across our way again, I won’t be looking to even the odds.”
I looked at Colton quickly and saw him nod in acknowledgment, I turned back just as Aaron disappeared into the shadows.
“Let’s go home,” Connor sighed. He headed to one of the SUVs, Corey following after sending me a huge smile. I think she was proud of me.
Matt and Theo headed to the other one, I hesitated at my car.
“I’ll ride with you,” Colton murmured. I nodded. Why was I suddenly nervous?
“We’ll follow,” Colton said softly to Matt. Matt looked at him for a long minute and then he nodded.
I smiled at Matt as I slipped into the driver’s seat.