He wasn’t lying when he said he wouldn’t be at school the next day, or the next, or even the day after that. I wasn’t exactly looking for him—it just seemed weird that Eros was present and he wasn’t. The green organism moved, and I kept my eyes locked on it. Where had he even gone? What exactly does he do?“Boo!” came a voice from behind, and I scrambled away from the microscope, heart thudding in my chest. “Told you, Leo,” Jade snorted. “He’s here, but not with his senses.”Leo sighed, “Yeah. You’re right.”“Now pay up.”We were in the biology lab, lab coats over our regular clothes, and in front of us lay a dissected owl pellet—an experiment long forgotten as Leo counted dollar notes and handed them to a beaming Jade.“You guys are unbelievable,” I huffed, returning to the microscope.“You know what’s unbelievable?” Jade leaned across the table, looking at me dreamily. “That your phone’s been off all day.”With that feigned look, I knew I was in trouble. “Uh, yeah. I had issues wi
"I highlighted the main points from last week’s lectures. You missed quite a bit." She bit into an apple, talking through a full mouth. "But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered." I flipped through her notes and couldn’t help but smile. "Thanks, Nat. Really." She made it so easy to be around her, as if she were bent on proving me wrong about every incorrect assumption I had. Not once did she turn her gaze away from me, and unlike me, she wasn’t conscious of the whispers around us. Slowly, I was getting the hang of it. I carefully set her books aside. "I should be done with them by tomorrow—maybe even before your first class." She waved me off, swallowing. "No, take your time, Myles. I’m not exactly in a hurry to get them back. Besides..." She shrugged. "If I take them, they’ll just sit in my locker untouched." "Noted." I bit into my hamburger, savoring the flavor until it turned to ash in my mouth, noticing she was watching me. "More notes?" I asked through a full mouth. She smiled,
I dashed down the stairs and stopped in front of Diego, ready to pounce at the first wrong word out of his mouth."Where the hell is it?!" I snarled.Diego rose slowly, his movement calm, leisurely, and the men with him followed suit, the table groaning as it scraped across the floor. Their eyes flicked between Diego and me, alert, as though waiting for some unspoken signal.One of them shifted forward, his gaze fixed on me, jaw clenched, but Diego held up a hand. “Stand down!” he gave the man a rough shove. “This one’s stronger than you think.”Realization hit, bitter and fast. These men weren’t here by chance. I was the reason they’d gathered. Every clue the fucker took it. "Diego, where the hell is my money?!"He chuckled, "What money? You don't have any money."I marched up to him, fists clenched, eyes blazing. "Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about! Twenty thousand! Give it back, now!"My stepfather tilted his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Twenty thousand,
The automated voice repeated, "The number you're trying to call is switched off, please try again later..." I let the phone drop, leaning back against the wooden pew chairs as my gaze lifted to the rink. Just in time, I saw George slam the puck hard into the post, then spit, his eyes landing on me with a silent challenge. The rivalry was a quiet one, as though we were in some sort of silent competition. Days ago, I might have thrown him a grin, but now I was too busy glaring at my phone, waiting for it to ring... any ring. Just like Eros had said—still no sign or word from Myles. It had been five days since he’d vanished and four days since his phone had gone dead. Yet I kept calling, dialing the same number over and over, hoping each time he might finally pick up. A shadow fell over me. I looked up to see Coach Daniel settling beside me. Slowly, I turned my phone screen down and looked out at the rink. "I thought you’d jump right back into the rink once you were back." He began,
I leaned against the door, heart racing with a mixture of dread and frustration. "Shit," I whispered, feeling the sweat dampen my shirt and the bandage beneath. "Shit!"He knocked again.I held my breath, wishing more than ever that I hadn’t come to the door, hoping he’d just go away. A chill seeped through me, filling every part of me with unease. How did he even find this place?Another knock.I glanced through the peephole. He was still standing there, massaging his temples, his face unreadable. I winced, remembering his rules about noise.I pressed my back against the door, reminding myself those rules only mattered in *his* place, not here."Myles," his voice filtered through the cracks in the door. "Open up, Myles."I turned back to the door, replacing my fear with frustration, twisted the knob, and pulled it open again, coming face-to-face with the smirking figure in front of me."I was about to come in through the window," he said.I glared. "What the hell are you doing here?
**TRISTAN**I felt his eyes on my back as I moved to the sink, holding the used chopping board. Turning on the water, I paused, then called out, “Something you want to say to me?”His response was quick. “Like you shouldn’t be here? What do you think you’re doing?”It was an hour since his mum left and he hadn't spoken a word to me, he didn't have to; the irritation on his face when I moved was loud enough.The fruit particles washed down the sink. Hanging the board on the wall, I picked up the bowl of fruit salad and walked to the counter where he sat, setting it before him. I leaned down, holding his gaze. “We had a deal: you be available whenever I need you, and I keep my end.”“I told you I would make up for that...”I raised a brow. “Now how would you do that? By screwing me twice as necessary?” Even as I said it, the words tasted bitter, but something had to drive the point home.He winced, recoiled back into himself, then looked away, nodding. “If that’s what it’d take, then ye
**MYLES**I was awakened by bickering in my room, and even in my sleep, I frowned. The only voice I recognized was Tristan’s; the other, a feminine voice dominating the “conversation,” was unfamiliar.“…You think you’re just going to tell me you had nothing to do with this and I’m just going to believe you? You know me better than that, Tristan Emiliano Medici!”“You also think if I had a hand in this, I’d be here with medical help?” Tristan’s voice was tired as always. “I just want to know how you got into med school.”“Take that back!” she screeched.I flinched. If this was what Tristan dealt with, I could understand why he made silence a rule. Despite myself, I grunted, and immediately felt two pairs of eyes on me.“Great,” Tristan gritted, “you woke him up.”And I didn’t want to be. There was a stranger in my house—one stranger, and one enemy whom I let use me whenever he wanted. It wasn’t exactly a holiday.I began to push myself to a sitting position, but then froze, falling bac
My throat went dry and rough when I tried to gulp. His expression was too blank to tell if he was joking, but I could see the challenge in his eyes. I shouldn't have said anything."I'll pay you. But not now," I said, glancing at the wall. "I'll get it in a week.""No," he cut in, his voice still quiet. In a flash, he was in front of me, grabbing my chin and glaring into my eyes. "I want it now. Come on, give it."A week ago, I would’ve shoved him aside, thrown the cash at him, and demanded he leave. But not today. Right now, I didn’t even have a hundred to my name.As if reading my mind, he dropped his hand. "Then suck it up. You'll never be able to pay me, so get used to being indebted to me."The admission hits like a punch to the gut, and I can’t bring myself to look at him. Exhausted, I glance away, the fever creeping up. He was right. I was going to be forever indebted to him—so indebted I'd do nothing but watch him invade every part of my life. Minutes later, he took the tray
Hiiii. Blue Haze here. When I started this book, I had no clue where it would drag me — or how deep I’d fall with it. The fact that my first step into this chaos found even a shred of success? Still shocking. But none of it would’ve meant anything without every single one of you. The story isn’t over. There will be a Book Two — and no, I still don’t know if Myles is breathing or rotting (but if you’ve made it this far with me😏, you know hope is a dangerous thing). Thank you for the likes, the comments, and the Gems — they were the only reason I kept going when the story got too...loud. --- BOOK 2 SYNOPSIS Tristan Medici has two goals: burn his uncle’s empire to ash and stand once more on the rooftop where his entire world bled out dead. He was close. Too close. Until the news came — a revelation so impossible, so gutting, it made him want to rip apart the only person he’s ever truly loved. But that was then — when life still held a little innocence...high school. This is no
"...breaking news tonight from St. Augustine Hospital regarding the tragic death of the only son of a local worker. Authorities have confirmed that Astor, 19, fell from the rooftop of this very hospital late last night in what officials are calling an apparent suicide....”More ramblings from the reporter on TV, words I can barely register. I feel like a husk, a husk full of nothingness... as though my soul had been snapped into two.El Refugio is a kaleidoscope of colors; I can barely see the Boss through bloodshot eyes. He shouldn’t be standing this close to me, knowing what I could do.But it seemed as though he understood, for he had his goons surround my chair, while Al sits beside me, watching closely.It was Al who’d broken the news, the first person I saw after I revived in that white, empty room that contained only a bed and the drip attached to my wrist.Ripping it out didn’t hurt as much as it should. The excess bleeding didn’t kill me. Ripping off the soft wallpaper and po
MYLES What more do you have to lose before you realise it isn't meant to be...Myles... your mum is gone... her heart failed and...'...You should have left me there, why do you have to bring me out...''I'm sorry.''...What are you doing...''Retribution.'I'm at the center of her ward, shoulders slumped, staring at the empty hospital bed as if she might still be here, and all I needed to do was just wait and soon I'll be hearing her voice...Carino, are you okay, Carino...But... she's gone.I knew it before the mayor said it. The way he had clenched at the wheel, his voice when he cursed, hollow and weak, with every word he dropped, it lost meaning.I should have sensed it sooner though, when Diego dropped all of those cryptic words before he pulled the trigger on his own self. It was all because of this.Retribution."Sir," the nurse beside me breaks the silence, the pity in her eyes looking at me frozen on the floor, "You need to get treated."I looked back at the bed, feeling m
*You first.*I shut my eyes. I think of my mum, Tristan, and Jade, wishing I’d actually spent my time with them instead of hiding away like a maniac. Maybe in another life…Another bang. I stay still, waiting for the pain to hit, but once again, it doesn’t. I’m still on the floor, brows knitting in confusion, listening to grunts, fists slamming hard against skin, muscle, and bone—then curses. One voice sounded like…Diego?I opened my eyes, and there he was—my stepfather, right on top of Connor. The gun was out of reach beside them, and Diego’s fists slammed hard against Connor’s face. It hit me then—Diego was a burly man, something I never really noticed before.Did he come to save me? Pigs couldn’t fly though, so I had to be dreaming…“Get off me, swine,” Connor struggled, but either Diego’s sudden rage was overpowering, or Connor was too dazed from all the beating.The gunfire outside resumed.“I told you,” Diego roared into Connor’s face, “I told you I was gonna get you if you dou
MYLESNo way out…The only window is barricaded with iron rods, ones I had desperately tried to pull down. But the air from the window gave me a clue as to where we really are — the salty scent of the ocean brushing past my nose.There’s nowhere to run to; the walls are thick. It’s been hours since I was left here, without anyone coming to check on me. Every time I hear footsteps, my heart skips, waiting for the lock to shift, but there’s nothing — just the sound of their footsteps retreating.I’m still groggy, so after hours of pacing, I’m seated at the far end of the room, watching the door, waiting for the last step I’d hear before it all goes blank.I wrap my arms around my knees, shutting my eyes. Mum… Was she okay? Hopefully, the mayor was there and wouldn’t let Diego move her.Perhaps she’d be alright… Perhaps I should think of myself and not Tristan. But I can’t stop — can’t stop wondering if staying away was the right choice. And now, like everything that involved me, he was
DOMENICO"Nico... Nico, what the hell are you doing? You know this won't work."Nico felt the cold chill run down his spine as the voice filtered into his ears, trying to infiltrate his numb senses."What do you know, brother?" he muttered, watching the smoke swirl up to the ceiling. "This isn't politics where you seduce your way into things."Nico stared at the city from his window. In Viktor's background, he could pick up the faint noise of traffic and his own car blazing down the road. He didn't need to be told he was being tracked.So predictable."Nico...""I can't get the memories out of my head." His voice was quiet, eyes on the light far away. "You used to drive so fast to get me out of trouble, arriving just seconds before I got my head blown off."Nico rubbed at his eyes, the silence on the other end of the line too loud. It settled — the ghost of another time, memories he couldn't even reach.He let out a small chuckle. "The bar fights, we used to do it together. Remember w
TRISTAN "Where the hell is the Boss?!" I growled, slamming my fist against the thick glass demarcation. "You fucking tell me where the Boss is right now!" But the goon keeping watch only took a long look in my direction, shook his head, and walked out the door. My throbbing fists clenched against the glass. This… all of this was frustrating. Being dragged here, Nico ignoring me, throwing me into this compartment that felt like a damn asylum… and worst of all, not knowing how Myles was faring. All of it fueled my pacing, my yelling—despite knowing no one could hear me. There was a telephone on the wall at my side, the only way to communicate with the outside. But in my rage and fear, I couldn’t think clearly. I’d tried pleading once, but the goons had looked straight through me, as if I were a ghost, before stepping out. There was no way to escape. This place didn’t even have windows. Punching the glass was useless—my knuckles had already begun to bleed. I raked my finge
TRISTANThe phone pressed to my ear wasn’t mine, but from it seeped my uncle’s voice. He sounded strange—void—and with every word he spilled, it dawned on me why there were three goons behind me, pressing a gun to the back of my head. "Follow them peacefully," the boss ordered. My brows hardened and knit together, my eyes narrowing at the florist, who kept giving us nervous glances, but not once did she reach for the phone to call the police. They had warned her… or she understood the atmosphere’s language and realized it was better to stay out of it. "Cut it out, Uncle," I gritted out, the flowers hanging loosely in my hold. "Can we do this later? After I take Myles to the hospital?" There was silence for seconds before his voice came on again. "Look back at the car, Tristan. Do you really think you're in a spot to negotiate right now?" What did he mean by—? Myles was staring at me, his jaw set, his eyes soft yet unreadable. Beside him, Jade was climbing out, her hand
EROSWhat was there to look at? Nothing interesting at all. Just his father strolling out of his brother's apartment, expression sullen and knuckles dripping blood that wasn't his.Guess there was a limit to the incompetency love makes you take. Sometimes you just get to hit your favorite things even when it hurts you.He was curious what his reaction would be when he found that thing dead.On the fence shrouded by tall trees, Eros watched his father wipe the blood off his hands. Then, flinging the hanky behind him, he turned to two of the goons, barking out orders.Eros pulled his hoodie up, eyes still a little drowsy from his escapade at Tristan's condo. He waited... patiently... any moment now.The old man's eyes scanned the house one last time. Then his phone rang, and he slipped into the car with his men, and the car sped off.Eros smiled... this was it.With a couple of moves, face mask set in place and the smooth, cold steel against him, he dropped down to the floor, still shro