Dhalia POV We step through, and suddenly, the quiet is replaced by a cacophony of screams and shouts. “I don’t get it. Why did they all hide upstairs?” I ask, bewildered by the lack of logic. “Because their first instinct is to try the doors, and when that fails, they rush upstairs to try and escape through the vents. Only the vents are closed off,” Jax explains, laughing at the futility of their efforts. But I still feel uneasy, not just by what’s happening but by how casually they’re moving through this place. As we descend, I see another body, this one slumped against a wall. I recognise him. A man sits next to it, covered in blood, holding a knife. “Cafe,” Jax mutters, clearly addressing the man. “Don’t sit in the middle of it, go to the cafe.” The man nods and stands, his shoulders shaking as he cries. Blake leans in close to me, his voice low. “Do you remember the case? Your body froze slightly like you recognised him.” “I do,” I whisper, my voice shaky. “It was six years
Dhalia POV Jax is clearly annoyed, and I can sense the tension radiating off him as we continue to search for Carl. He started off slow and methodical, but now it’s obvious he realises we’re running out of time. We’ve found the others, the ones who hurt me, but Carl… Carl is hiding well. Each of the ones we’ve found so far was wearing a mask that matched theirs, a clear indication they were aware of what was going to happen. “He’s not wearing white.” Chase’s words cut through the silence, drawing my attention. I look at him, trying to understand. “They knew, whether by talking to each other or someone else. Somehow, he’s got a black overall on. What numbers were there in the hunters?” Chase continues. Jax sighs, seeming to realise Chase is right. “Thirty-seven. So, we’re looking for someone with thirty-eight or higher.” As we continue to move through the building, Jax starts stopping everyone, not just checking their numbers, but insisting they raise their masks. The faces of th
Dhalia POV Blake is standing close, smiling down at me. His head dips, and his lips brush against mine. "Maybe we should have our own fun, without them." His words melt me, and I nod quickly, his mouth capturing mine in a kiss. My arms reach up, wrapping around his neck as I start to feel safe again. But that feeling is short-lived. “Oh, Sweetness,” Jax’s voice cuts through the darkness, and I tense instantly. Blake pulls us deeper into the shadows, trying to keep us hidden. “Sweetly, so sweetly, I will find you,” Jax’s voice is low, taunting, and it sends a shiver down my spine. Blake’s hand clamps over my mouth, trying to muffle my breathing. “I can smell you, Sweetness. And I’m guessing Blake is trying to silence you, but he’s failing—I can hear your breathing,” Jax continues, his voice laced with amusement. I stop breathing, terrified that even the sound of my heartbeat might give us away. But Jax chuckles, as if he can sense my fear. “I bet you bleed so sweetly on my knife
Jax POVI cradle Dhalia in my arms as the car glides through the softly lit streets, the city outside a blur of shadows and fleeting lights. I'm not sure what I had expected tonight, but it certainly wasn't this. The entire time, I was convinced she would say her safe word, bolt, and never look back—just like everyone else had done before her.But here she is, clinging to me like I’m her anchor in a storm. It’s as if what just happened didn’t terrify her, didn’t make her question my sanity. We sit in silence, both awake yet enveloped in our own thoughts. I don’t care what anyone says—she’s not the type to exploit us for a story or money. There’s no evidence, just strange coincidences.My fingers absentmindedly trace patterns along her back, and she nestles even closer, her warmth pressing into me. But then, the thought creeps in, uninvited and unsettling: What if? What if she really is working to sell a story about us? After hearing everything, seeing everything, would she really do t
Jax POVWhen I wake up, the bed beside me is empty. Dhalia is already up and out, leaving me to face waking up alone. We didn’t get back until nearly four in the morning, and the weight of last night’s events lingers heavily in my mind. Her words echo in my thoughts, and I find myself strangely comforted by them, even as doubt creeps in.“Morning,” Chase greets me with a smile as I walk into the kitchen. I sit down, sensing the tension in the air. Something’s off, something big, but Dhalia doesn’t seem to know. It’s clear from her cheerful demeanour that she’s oblivious to whatever has everyone else on edge.I eat in silence, choosing to ignore the underlying tension for now. “What’s your plan for today, Sweetness, now that you’re safe?” I ask, trying to keep things normal.“Today, I have something planned,” she replies, grinning at me. “I’m going out, meeting Keeley, and then I’ll be back here later.” Her smile is infectious, and despite everything, I can’t help but smile back at her
Dhalia POVI get in the car and am driven into the city, trying to keep my thoughts steady. This morning, before anyone else had woken up, I made countless phone calls, desperately searching for a place that could see me today. It took a while, but I finally found somewhere that had time for me.As I step out of the car, I thank the driver and start walking, the early morning air sharp against my skin. My phone rings, and I answer without hesitation. “Hey, Keeley,” I say, already feeling a sense of determination settle over me. Tonight, I’m getting the answers I need.“Just calling to see what you’re up to?” she asks, her tone light and casual.“Currently shopping, but then I’m heading over to Bound In Ink,” I reply, and she laughs on the other end of the line.“What? Why are you going there?” she asks, amusement lacing her words.“For a tattoo, why else?” I laugh along with her, but there’s a knot in my stomach that doesn’t loosen.“What time are you getting there? I might meet you,”
Dhalia POV The guy looks at me as he sets up.“Have you ever had a tattoo before?” he asks, and I shake my head. “If it’s too painful, let me know,” he says, his tone kind. I nod and stay still as he begins, the sensation more annoying than painful. “You came in just in time,” he comments as he works. “By tomorrow, it probably wouldn’t have been visible anymore.” I nod, the reality of what I’m doing settling in. After last night, I’m more determined than ever to do this. I need something permanent, something to show I’m not leaving. Forty-five minutes later, he’s done, and he’s been chatting with me the whole time, making the experience surprisingly comfortable. Leaving the shop, I realise I’ve planned this all wrong. I need to get changed and ready to meet Keeley, but I don’t want to bother the guys. I book a taxi and wait for it to arrive, making sure the bandage on my neck is securely in place, hiding the mark. Back at the house, I nod at the guys on the door as I walk in. The
Dhalia POVI don’t move. I just sit there, staring at Keeley, my mind reeling, unable to comprehend what she’s saying. “You’re lying,” I manage to choke out, my voice trembling. “We’ve known each other since I was like four!”My mind races to make sense of it all. How could my stepdad have paid her to be my friend at such a young age? It doesn’t add up.Keeley rolls her eyes, her expression almost bored. “Your parents were friends with mine, Dhalia. That’s the only reason we even played together. I never really wanted to be your friend. By the time I was eleven, I wanted to live my own life, without you tagging along. But then your stepdad wasn’t happy after… well after you killed your own sister. So he paid me to stay close to you. I was young, but I knew the money was worth it.”Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I’m at a loss for how to respond. My mind is battling a storm of emotions—confusion, anger, betrayal. “Fine,” I finally say, my voice shaky. “So he paid you to be my
Dhalia POV After shopping today, I felt a sense of relief I hadn’t experienced in what felt like forever. It wasn’t just about the shopping itself, though I did need some new clothes—my body has changed so much in the past year. No, it was more about finally getting out of the house, about reclaiming a little bit of the freedom I’d been missing. The walls of our home, which once felt like a sanctuary, had started to close in on me. Chase and Jax, in their well-meaning but intense desire to protect me and ensure I had time to heal, ended up suffocating me without even realising it. Don’t get me wrong—I love them for how much they care, but I didn’t need to be housebound for months, or placed on bed rest for weeks after giving birth. I know some women would relish the idea of doing nothing but resting and being pampered, but it drove me crazy. That’s why, when Chase casually mentioned going shopping, I jumped at the opportunity. I was out the door and in the car before he could even t
Chase POVI watched Dhalia as she moved through the store, her steps light and full of purpose, and it hit me—I might have gone too far. In our well-intentioned but overzealous efforts to protect her and Jacob, Jax and I had smothered her. When I casually mentioned the idea of going shopping, I expected a discussion, maybe some hesitation. But instead, she practically bolted for the door, grabbing her coat and leaving without a word. That was proof enough. We had suffocated her under the guise of safety and care.Seeing her so happy to be out, to be free to do something as simple as shopping, was a wake-up call. We had reduced her life to the confines of our home, restricting her to the roles of mother and partner, leaving little room for her to just be herself. That’s why I suggested she could return to work if she wanted to. Jax may not like the idea—he’s still riding the wave of his overprotectiveness—but after more than six months of keeping her tethered, it’s time we give her bac
Blake POV The last few months have been a whirlwind, a mental and emotional gauntlet that none of us expected. It wasn’t the physical demands that took their toll on me—it was the psychological strain, the constant push and pull of trying to navigate our lives while Chase and Jax became increasingly overprotective of Dhalia. My attempts to ground them in reality often felt futile, like trying to anchor a ship in the middle of a storm. Dhalia, poor Dhalia, bore the brunt of their overzealous protection. At five months pregnant, they decided it was too dangerous for her to continue working. Mind you, her job was sitting in a cozy little bookstore, reading and managing sales. There wasn’t anything remotely strenuous about it, but they convinced themselves—and her—that it was unsafe. It seemed harmless enough at first, just a precaution. But by the time she hit seven months, their obsession to shield her and the baby from every possible harm became all-consuming. They wouldn’t let her
Jax POVAs I sit on the couch, the book resting on my lap, I find myself absorbed not so much in the story itself but in the little marks I’ve made throughout its pages. These marks have become something of an obsession for me. They’re the places where I’ve seen Dhalia react—whether it’s a quiet gasp, a tear rolling down her cheek, or that subtle squirm of excitement that she can’t quite hide. Whenever she reads with me in the room, and I catch one of those reactions, I make sure to mark the page number. Later, when she’s done, I go back and read those specific sections, trying to decode what it is about these words that stirs something inside her.It all started small. At first, I only marked the pages that elicited a blush or a quiet moan—scenes of sex that clearly struck a chord. It didn’t take long to realise that it wasn’t just those moments that mattered to her. She would also react to the tender, the heartbreaking, and the unexpectedly sweet moments with an equal, if not more p
Dhalia’s POVMy eyes are glued to the door. In front of me are three small boxes, one for each of them. They are late, though. They promised to be back by four, and now it’s a quarter past. I’m trying to be patient, but it’s harder than I’d like to admit.Two months ago, I opened my bookstore, and it’s been incredible. Twice a week, we host book clubs, and I’ve made it a point to bring one of the guys with me to each session. It’s hilarious watching their faces as we dive into the discussions. The women seem to enjoy it too—something about discussing steamy romance scenes with a bit of eye candy in the room.The door finally creaks open, and I sit up straighter as they walk in.“You’re late,” I say, trying to keep a straight face.“By fifteen minutes, Angel. Cut us some slack.” Blake winks, leaning down to kiss me. His hand reaches for one of the boxes, but I slap it away.“Don’t touch.”He chuckles, rolling his eyes.“Why do I get the feeling we’re in trouble, Sweetness?” Jax asks as
Chase POVI stay stood in this room, shocked by what she's done. She went above and beyond, I was expecting a small, shop, nothing big. This though, is huge. We made sure that everyone knew not to mention anything to us about it.They weren't allowed to mention the location, the colour of the store, nothing. We wanted her to be in control and do it all alone without our input and she has."I've got something to show you," she grips my hand and guides me back through to the book store part, walking through she stops by some books, and hands me one.There, on the cover is a pink fucking unicorn. She found one? I stare at her and she laughs."Pink unicorn," she smiles up at me."You're fucking crazy, you read it?" I stare in amazement as she nods."I did and I'll admit I didn't enjoy it a single bit, but I had to get it, read it because that's the next book you're reading."My head tilts. "Please say you're joking?" She has to be. Her head shakes, and she places the book back."No, you m
Jax POVI watch as she walks towards us, the dress is stunning, long and golden. She stops in front of me and smiles."If they don't hurry, we will be late," she glares towards the door."Leave them alone Sweetness, they were having some fun before getting ready." We both laugh and I wrap my arms around her. A lot has changed in the past three months, a lot of her stepdads businesses are now fully hers. Although we take care of a lot of them.She wasn't comfortable taking over the strip clubs, bars, and such. So we sort a lot of it out for her. She straightens my tie and I chuckle. Her arms wrap around my neck and she reaches on her toes to kiss my lips."I love you Sweetness," I whisper as I wrap my arms around her and pull her closer. My mind goes back, and I begin to wonder if we would ever have found her had Carl not set her up? It's scary to consider that, to consider where she would have been.Justin's plan was to do what Carl had once she returned to him, so would she still be
Dhalia POV His words float around in my mind. He should have told Jax and Blake, then maybe they would understand the whole issue he has. Something tells me after he does something with them, it brings back what happened with his father. I fight to figure out what to say to him, other than he should tell Jax and Blake. “Do they know any truth in what happened?” I stroke along the scar. “No, I thought them believing it sent me over the edge would stop them from doing anything. It did, but part of me still craved them. Which of course Jax noticed, and made it happen.” “You need to tell Jax the truth.” After everything, he still believes that Chase runs because he’s repulsed. “Jax can’t know. He will blame himself for what my father did.” He’s not wrong, Jax will blame himself to some degree. “What happens if he finds out the truth, Chase? Then how will he feel? Knowing that you kept on lying to him?” “He can’t find out, only we know.” I laugh. “So every man there that day is dea
Dhalia POV After eating, I found myself with more energy than before. Which sucks as I was ready to go to bed. Jax and Blake are currently messing around. I say, messing around, but Blake is more taunting him to get a punishment. It’s nice to see, and it reminds me of at the start. “I’m going to finish my book,” I jump up and walk off. I could have fallen asleep earlier, now though? I’ve got too much energy. Grabbing the book I sit down and begin reading it. About ten minutes later, the movement of the door has me turning to it. Chase walks in with a smile. “So, I found a book.” Really? “You found a smut book that involves a frickin unicorn?” He nods. “I did very well, thank you.” Wait, no! “Pink unicorn, it has to be a pink unicorn.” I watch as he sighs and sits beside me. “Pink is impossible! I have searched and I can’t find it!” His outburst has me laughing. “How about a human-unicorn that’s pink? I found one of them.” “No, it’s a pink unicorn, not half and half Chase. So y