More than three hours had passed at the raucous party, and I had engaged with about five guys, including three who claimed to be straight. Despite the wild atmosphere, I had refrained from drinking, prioritizing clear-headed encounters over inebriation. Scanning the crowd for Kolton, I couldn't find him anywhere, but I had a hunch he was still in that room. I had no idea what he was doing or who he was with, but he had been locked away for most of the night.

Finally, Kolton emerged from the room and found me in the kitchen. He held a beer, but his demeanor suggested he was sober, unlike the intoxicated partygoers around us. I sipped a beer and lit a cigarette, keeping my word to not get drunk as hell at this party. Coming here was already a random decision, so I definitely won't be partaking in alcohol, as it could put me at a serious disadvantage.

 Leaning against the refrigerator, Kolton surveyed the kitchen while I deliberately avoided his gaze, creating a moment of awkward silence. The kitchen was not overly crowded, with a few people scattered around, some engaged in deep make-out sessions. My gaze swept across the room and I suddenly froze as I spotted one of Monster's men lurking in the shadows, his eyes locked onto mine with a malevolent glint. A shiver ran down my spine, and my heart raced with fear and uncertainty. In that instant, I knew it was time to make a leave. The once vibrant party now felt like a menacing trap, and I yearned to return to the safety of my own world, far away from Monster and his menacing enforcers.

"Ready to take me home now?" I inquired, tilting my head slightly to the side. Kolton grinned, but it appeared he might actually be a bit tipsy. I rolled my eyes internally and continued to smile, not letting my thoughts show on my face. I began to walk away from him and I hoped he followed. When he began to call after me, I realized he was. I walked back to the car so it'd be obvious that I was ready to leave.

The night was dark, with few streetlights in the area. I leaned against the car, waiting for Kolton to open it, my heart pounding.  As I stood there, my heart conflicted with a swirling blend of emotions. On one hand, the sight of Monster's men at the party sent shivers of fear down my spine, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows of my life. On the other hand, there was an undeniable surge of desire welling up within me as I watched Kolton, looking irresistibly seductive in the dimly lit night. Frankly, I prefer to gaze and fantasize about Kolton than have my mind wander off to Monster and his men. So that's what I did.

As Kolton strode down the pathway, his gaze locked onto me, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing at the corners of his lips. I couldn't help but notice it, and it left me feeling a bit bewildered. Was I puzzled by his expression? Absolutely, but I chose to keep my confusion to myself. At that moment, he appeared stunning, the night's magic working wonders in him,

When he finally approached, instead of opening the car, he pressed himself against me and kissed me passionately. In the fervor of the moment, I eagerly reciprocated his kiss, my arms entwined around his neck while his hands rested firmly on my waist. Our connection intensified, and the seconds seemed to stretch into an eternity before Kolton eventually pulled away. As our eyes locked, a charged and unspoken understanding passed between us.

"Just so we're clear, this doesn't mean I want to be your boyfriend or anything," he warned.

"I don't care," I breathed out, pulling him back into another kiss. I reached behind me, opening the car door to the back seat, and we both climbed in, the car's confined space not deterring our ardor.

——

I awoke in my bedroom, naked and lying on my stomach, with one arm hanging off the bed. I groaned softly and blinked my eyes open, surveying the familiar messy room. I turned my head and noticed Kolton sleeping beside me, also unclothed.

"Wow," I muttered, lifting myself up and sitting on the edge of the bed. My gaze traveled over his body. "Do you usually just stare like that?"

"Well, what else am I supposed to do when I wake up with you naked next to me?" I asked, a mischievous grin on my face. Kolton sat up, giving me a bemused look, and we locked eyes. He sat up and pulled me to him then kissed my lips. I smiled as he moved me away. Kol rolled his eyes and then got off the bed. I stared at him as he looked around the room, then pointed out his boxers for him. He flashed me a smile and then took it up.

"Do you need to shower?" I inquired.

"I'll do that when I get back home," he replied. I couldn't help but wonder if my bathroom wasn't up to his standards, but I didn't press the matter. Kolton gathered his clothes and dressed, opting to wear the same jeans from the previous night.

"Hey, hey, where are you going?" Kol asked me. I stopped where I stood, with one of my sheets around my waist, but because I wasn't as tall, it dragged on the floor. Kol cocked an eyebrow at me. He was now in a pair of jeans, the jeans he wore last night.

"To shower. Just wait here, I'll be back."

"No, I gotta leave now." He said to me then took a step to me. He placed his lips on mine in a kiss. "Okay, whatever." I shrugged. He found his top and pulled it over his head, onto his body, and then finally, put on his shoes. I picked up his jacket and passed it to him and after taking it, he walked out of my room. I decided to follow him down, not caring if I was only wrapped in a sheet. 

"I'll see you around then." He said as he reached his car, and I was just in front of him. I nodded my head. "Yeah, whenever your satanic brother decides it's the right time for me to be his personal servant, I'll see you then." Kol smiled.  I nodded, feeling a sense of intrigue and attraction toward him, despite the complex situation. He kissed me once more before getting into his car and driving away.

When I got back in, Bird was just coming down the steps. He furrowed his eyebrows at the white coverlet I had around my waist but didn't comment on it. Instead, he said, "So you had a guest last night."

I smiled.

"What is he, a one-night stand or are you seriously considering it this time?" he asked and I chuckled.

"No. He's just... He's just sex I think. He's the guy." I said to Bird as he walked into the kitchen. I followed him in and hopped onto the kitchen table.

"What guy?"

"You know the guy. The guy we missed. He's the snitch." I tell him. He paused and looked at me.

"And you fucked him? Is this some type of twisted game you're playing with him?" Bird's voice carried a hint of skepticism as he scrutinized my actions. He retrieved a jar of peanut butter and a bag of sliced bread, proceeding to select two slices. His inquisitive gaze met mine, prompting him to question my intentions with Kolton.

I finally answered, "No, it's not. I just like him--well his body. His personality takes a while to get used to."

Bird continued to assemble his sandwich, spreading a layer of peanut butter on one slice of bread. His tone revealed his confusion and disapproval, "Yeah, I guessed that much. He ratted you out, man, how could you like him?"

"I don't like him! Well not entirely. He's good in bed okay, I'm not going to marry the guy and live happily ever after." Bird placed one slice over the buttered slice and then pressed it down a bit. He blinked up at me. "Whatever, man, do what you do." He picked up the sandwich and took a big bite. I sighed softly.

I don't like the guy. I like his face and his body, but I don't like him. He's got a bad personality and he's a rat. Why would I ever be interested in someone like him? I'd be fucking stupid if I actually liked him, which I'm not. 

As I chatted with Bird, a quick memory of last night's run-in with Monster's goons flashed in my head. It was like a nagging thought, hovering in the background, ready to burst out. But I chose to keep it locked away. I couldn't exactly put my finger on why I decided not to tell Bird. Maybe it was the fear of getting deeper into some shady mess, or maybe I just didn't want to weigh him down with my crap. Either way, I figured it was better to keep that part of the story to myself.

I grabbed the bread and peanut butter to start making a sandwich for myself. Before I could even start pasting, I heard the front door bust open. My eyes widened and I contemplated if I should go out there. I slowly began to walk out to the living room, until I heard a voice shout; "Daniel Scott!"

"Oh shit."

Before I could run I was captured. I didn't even understand how I was caught, but there was someone behind me, keeping me in place, and now someone in front of me. I furrowed my eyebrows as the realization came to me. Panic coursed through me as I desperately searched for a way out of this dangerous situation.

"Hey! It's you! Wow, strange seeing you here." I chuckled softly. "Mind letting me go?"

"You fucking set us up, you two-faced bastard!" The man with the fiery beard spat out, his accusing words directed squarely at me. Bird intervened, positioning himself between me and the burly figure behind me, his hand firmly pressed against the man's chest to keep me safe. I exhaled a mixture of frustration and fear, instinctively gravitating closer to Bird, seeking refuge in his protective presence

"What's this all about?" Bird asked them. I recognized them instantly—those two brawny guys from the other day. Why had they reappeared in my life? What had I done to inadvertently become entangled in their problems?

"We got arrested that night. Your stupid ass scheme got us arrested."

"So then why are you not in prison?" I asked him and shook my head. The bigger one stepped to me and I flinched back, a little behind Bird.

"Bail."

"That's a lot of money, man." Bird said. Buffy, with the red hair and angriest look in his eyes, nodded his head and then looked at me. He seems like the leader of the two. The other, although larger in stature, didn't carry the same aura of ruthlessness. "Money that we need to get back."

"Look, guys. I can't pay you back. I don't have any money. Hell, I'm owing a guy right now. I can't pay someone back."

"We saw you today, with your friend." the sidekick said. I cocked an eyebrow. "Who Kol?"

"He was supposed to be dead."

"No, funny story actually... He has a twin. And his twin is actually bruised and beaten." I chuckled. I wasn't sure if I should've revealed that information.

"I want Kolton," he said savagely. My eyes widened. "Why?"

"Kolton was our target, and we wanted him. You're going to deliver him to us," Bald Head Dude asserted. I cleared my throat and took a step forward, moving out from behind Bird. "How exactly am I supposed to do that? What happens if I refuse? How does any of this even involve me?" I questioned in rapid succession. The sidekick chimed in, "He's your boyfriend, isn't he? Get him to us. You screwed up the plan." Me?

How do they even know Kolton and I were together? Were these two imbeciles stalking me? This is just great. After spotting Monster's men, now this? When will I catch a break? Seriously, can life get any more messed up? It felt like the world had turned against me, and I couldn't help but wonder when, if ever, I would catch a break.

"How could I have known he had a twin?" I protested.

"Yeah, well, you should've."

"Wait a minute, were you planning to harm that guy and then pin it on him?" Bird inquired, his eyebrows furrowed. I shifted my gaze between the two menacing men. Hold on, what?

"He ruined everything for us," the leader added.

"Wait, you guys are insane! I can't—why do you even want him dead?" I raised my voice, looking between them in disbelief. The leader (the redhead) stepped closer to me, his voice taking on a low and intimidating tone. "Your boyfriend owes us a significant amount of money, and you're going to deliver him to us," he growled. I tried not to show the fear that was creeping in, but I couldn't help but flinch slightly.

"He's not my boyfriend. And what's in it for me? I'm just supposed to hand someone over without any compensation?" I challenged them both.

"Do this, and... you won't die. How about that?" 

My jaw dropped. But at this point, in this current situation, I knew there was nothing that could have been done to save me.  "Fine. Whatever."

"Good. Get us Kolton."

"Why do you want him dead? How much does he owe you?" I pressed, but they remained tight-lipped. After a tense silence, they looked at Bird. "We'll catch up with you, brother."

I continued to stare at the space they had vacated, my mouth hanging open in disbelief. I still couldn't fully grasp what had just transpired. Bird turned around and walked away without uttering a word.

"Who are those guys again?" I muttered as I entered the living room to join Bird. I hadn't even changed out of my makeshift bedsheet and so much has already happened. Bird settled onto the couch. "Boris and Har."

"Great, now that I have their names, it'll make all the difference. Thanks a lot," I retorted sarcastically, my tone dripping with cynicism. Bird chuckled at my response. "Look, just give them what they want, and you'll save your own skin. Is it really that difficult?" Bird inquired. I let out a scoff and turned away, making my way back up the stairs to my room.

The daunting task of delivering Kolton to Boris and Har loomed over me. How on earth was I supposed to pull that off?