Chase POVOnce inside, I lock the door swiftly, a small sense of security settling in as the click resonates. Not stopping there, I stride into the bathroom and repeat the action—slamming and locking the door behind me. My sanctuary.Climbing into the shower, I turn on the water and sit under the relentless spray. The warm streams do little to soothe the chaos raging inside me. Anger courses through my veins, hot and unyielding. Clutching my head, I let out a scream—a raw sound of frustration and pain that fills the steamy air.I’m not sure how long I sit there, lost in a tumult of emotions, before exhaustion overtakes me, and I fall into a restless sleep right there in the shower.The feeling of disgust and repulsion follows me even through my sleep, tainting my dreams with its bitter aftertaste. When I finally wake, I’m cold and stiff, the water long turned cool. Shutting off the water, I step out of the shower, hastily throwing on a pair of sweats. My movements are mechanical, driv
DhaliaBlake left in the midst of a quiet morning. He said goodbye with a quick kiss and a brief mention of a meeting. Left to the rhythm of my own thoughts, I started cooking, only for Jax to insist I sit down instead. We stayed in a strained silence; my mind was tangled up in the events of last night.Watching Chase and Jax together had been an intense experience, different from anything before. But then everything shifted—Chase became defensive, pushed Jax away, and fled. The sound of doors slamming and Chase’s distant scream had punctured the tense quiet of the house.I had the urge to go to him, to see if I could offer some comfort, but Jax advised against it, saying that Chase was too raw and might lash out. It was clear the confrontation wounded Jax deeply; the hurt was unmistakable in his eyes, a reflection of his confusion and pain caused by Chase’s abrupt shift.Throughout what happened, Chase had an arm around Jax, not in rejection or resistance, but rather holding him clos
Dhalia POV“You had it beaten into you that relationships are weaknesses, right? That showing emotion is a weakness. That being gay or wanting to be with a man is a weakness. If you showed signs, he beat the hell out of you. If you cried, he beat you some more until you covered it all.”Chase just stares, a stoic mask hiding the storm underneath. “I did it. Every night with those men, I forced myself not to cry or show weakness. I only did it once. So you know what, Chase? If it’s a good thing and it’s working for you, I’ll build up the same walls. I will lock everyone out, and then I won’t give a shit. I will be happy to walk away from everyone in my life like they mean nothing.”He shakes his head slowly, a hint of something else—perhaps indignation or fear—at my suggestion.“Maybe that’s the way to fix Jax and Blake,” I continue, pressing further, “Tell them to lock everything behind a wall. Ignore things if they hurt, get too much.”“No!” His response is a fierce growl, breaking h
Jax POV. I ran out and have been claiming I need to work as my alibi to get away from Chase. The remorse is gnawing at me; declaring I was done felt harsh and impulsive. All day, his look of sheer terror has haunted me. That raw fear in his eyes after my words—it’s all I can focus on.I know why I walked away. My words were aimed at hurting him back, a petty jab born out of frustration and pain, knowing it would only escalate our conflict. Now, I find myself lingering outside Blake's room for hours, using his meeting as a pretext to hide my reluctance to face what I’ve done.As the door opens and people walk out, I take a deep breath and step inside. Blake greets me with a smile that fades as he reads my expression. He pauses mid-step, a resigned sigh escaping him. “How bad this time?”“Worse than ever,” I admit, the weight of the situation settling over me as I collapse into a seat. Blake joins me, his presence a silent support.“It can’t be that bad, Jax,” he probes gently.But it
Jax POV“Jax, I...” Chase falters, struggling with his words. “You didn’t take advantage. I agreed, yes. I might have said no, but I didn’t physically try to stop you. Part of me wanted it to continue, which is why I never really put up a fight. You didn’t force anything.”His assurance should relieve me, but guilt still gnaws at me. “That’s how it feels to me,” I confess. His reaction, and his words also confirmed that I took advantage of him.“No! Jax, you know full well I can make it clear when I don’t want something. We’ve been there before, and I've made it perfectly clear I didn't want to, and you’ve respected it. This time, I let you. Yes, I said no, but that was more about me not agreeing with myself.”His words help ease the tension in my shoulders.Chase then shifts his gaze to Dhalia. The shift in their relationship and connection is different, and it indicates a deeper conversation has taken place. Maybe now he's not shutting her out?“Three months,” he suddenly declares,
Blake POVAs I finish getting ready, my thoughts wander to what will happen in a week. She’ll be safe, free to make her own choices. But the nagging question remains. Will she choose to leave us? Once dressed, I walk through the house to her room. I'm not sure why I'm eager to see her again.Stepping inside, I hear the shower running and decide to wait on her bed, listening as the water stops moments later. She emerges wrapped in a towel, her presence filling the room.She pauses, a smile lighting up her face when she sees me. “Yes?”“Nothing. I figured I would watch you get ready,” I shrug nonchalantly, though my interest is more than casual. I want to be part of her routine, to share even these simple moments.She smirked at my response and nodded, then moved to the vanity table. It’s a new addition, one I suggested knowing it would make her mornings easier. They all agreed, and I arranged for its delivery, a surprise I hoped she’d appreciate.I watch as she brushes her hair, settin
Blake POVWith how quickly that picture of her heels spread across the news outlets, anyone would think she was naked. As soon as we get to the VIP section and sit, someone brings the drinks over. We should have thought about inviting her friend. I need to discuss things with Chase and Jax.Walking over to the guys, I decide to get Keeley. "Someone grab Keeley, make her aware she's coming here." I watch two of them walk away."Andy is here. Do you want us to join?" Chase points to Andy, who is walking towards us."No, it's the casinos, so there's not really much you two can help with," I explain before walking down to meet him."Where are we talking?" His eyes briefly go to Chase, Jax, and Dhalia before I point to a side room. Walking through, we sit down."So what's the issue, Andy?" I ask, and he moves, sliding his phone towards me."This is."He waits, and I reach over, taking the phone. My eyes read the news article. It's about Dhalia's stepdad going missing. His businesses are st
Chase POVWe all sit there, staring at each other, the weight of Blake's idea hanging in the air like a storm about to break. Each of us has our concerns about what it would mean for her to go back to work now, the risks, the dangers. For me, the idea of her returning there is out of the question. It’s a risk we can’t afford to take.Blake breaks the silence with a laugh, though it’s more forced than genuine. “You know, we could just tell her we want her to stay,” he says, a hint of desperation in his tone. “Then she’d know exactly how we feel.”But both Jax and I shake our heads almost in unison.Blake turns his frustration toward me, pointing an accusatory finger. “Of course, you wouldn’t agree, Chase. You never let anyone in.”He thinks he’s got me figured out, that my reluctance is about keeping my walls up. But it’s not that simple. “No, Blake, it’s not about that,” I respond, my voice firm. “I don’t want her to feel obligated to stay just because we helped her or because we want