Back to You by Sia Wales Page A

head to foot in motorcycle leathers. My jaw drops. His hands are moving animatedly as he talks to an unseen companion.
    From what I can see, it has to be J.. He’s young, with brown hair sticking out of his helmet, and is the most beautiful creature alive, even from behind. I cannot imagine that anyone, including gods and goddesses, could remain unmoved before him. I can make out a corner of his perfect jawline, his skin is smooth and pale. Even from afar, it seems to have the consistency of ice. Just the thought of him sends shivers through my body. He takes a few steps in my direction, revealing the person he was talking to. It’s Donn, now lit up by the dim bar lights. Frowning, seemingly furious, dark circles surround Donn’s eyes. He grabs J. by the collar and barks something into his face at close range. His lips form a hard line, and deep creases line his forehead, crowned by golden brown hair. He tries to back out of Donn’s grip. I can’t understand if he’s yelling at him or just snarling into thin air by his face. But Donn keeps him locked in his steely grasp effortlessly. But it’s obviously harder than he’d like to let on.

Complications
    J. struggles and seems to have lost his mind. Or at least that’s what it looks like from the jerky movements his head makes. He seems to have launched himself into Donn and, through the noise of the party and Iris blasting out the speakers, I hear the clash of the impact. Two rocks crashing in a landslide.
    “Oh, no!”
    I cry, burying my head in my hands. But I keep my eye on the scene through the cracks of my fingers.
    Donn’s chest heaves, and he’s breathing heavily. I leap down from my seat and work my way through the crowd to get to them as fast as I can. As I pass, some people smile at me, others wave. But I ignore them and head toward Donn, wanting to hear what is being said while hiding in the crowd.
    “I see you’ve changed your mind,” says Donn, his voice as calm as ever.
    J. nods, visibly upset.
    “How can you bear it?” he roars. Then he takes a deep breath and looks around.
    “I can’t help myself,” he growls. “I want her now!”
    Donn’s stare is fixed on J’s. He’s immobile, focused.
    “I know that,” he replies smiling before his face turns somber again. He raises an eyebrow, but instead of his usual impenetrable glare, he seems in a good mood. I wonder why, and Donn answers my question. His onyx eyes focus on J., but then travel past him to settle on me, his fingers almost piercing J.’s leathers to keep the vampire in his grasp.
    Then he looks back at J..
    “You have to deal with it,” Donn suggests, his voice cold and hard again. “You have to learn to keep control, especially when Stella’s around.” A shiver runs through J.
    “You can do it,” continues Donn. “And it’s your only way out. Because if you hurt her, if you even try to lay a finger on her in an dishonorable, uncivilized way…” Donn’s lip curls, revealing his teeth, but his face remains dark. His voice leaves no room for doubt.
    “Wait,” interrupts J. His voice becomes a shrill. He chokes and gets his breath back. He grasps his head between his hands, sweaty and soiled from the handlebars of his bike.
    “I didn’t know what I was doing.” His voice sounds dull and raspy.
    Donn’s head shakes almost imperceptibly, then his composure returns.
    “Sure. I hope so,” he says, not unkindly. “You seem open to learn, and Aaron could explain the rules to you.”
    “Aaron taught me everything.” J.’s fists clench.
    “Then try to keep your cool,” Donn stresses sternly. “I gave you a chance. He vouched for your actions once. But we don’t give second chances.” I notice that he says “we” as if speaking for “the family.”
    Donn’s stares at J. with a hard, threatening expression on his face. My heart suddenly begins to race.
    J. takes a step back, perhaps terrified that his vague answer could trigger something horrific.
    “Donn,”