**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
**MYLES** I opened my eyes to birds chirping outside my window, pecking against the glass. Then, the harsh morning light penetrated my lids. I rubbed my eyes, waiting for the usual pain to hit me out of nowhere. When it didn’t, I sighed in relief—Mum was right; all it took was a visit to the doctor. Or, in my case, Tristan bringing one. Speaking of Tristan, I struggled to turn, my eyes landing on the empty sofa holding only a gift package. He must have left. I couldn’t help but wonder when. I glanced at the digital clock on the table. 10:45 a.m. I frowned. I never slept this hard when I was stressed and healthy, yet I still felt so damn groggy. I climbed out of bed, eager to leave what was becoming my second home. I bit back a groan as a slight pain nudged my sides when I stood up. Just as I was about to head to the bathroom, I sensed movement beside my bed. I turned and, seeing Diego, furrowed my brows, my eyes hardening. “What the hell are you…” My frown faded when he lowered his
**EROS** Eros stumbled down the hallway, dread twisting in his chest as he searched for the son of a bitch. Tristan, of all days, had decided not to show up. The locker—the spot where they had agreed to meet—was empty. He stopped in his tracks, anger pulsing through his veins. Teeth clenched, he glared at the locker, his entire body tensed. He’d nearly ended up under the guillotine because the idiot couldn’t control himself, and now he couldn’t even be bothered to show up? The memory of Nico's words sent a chill down his spine. They hadn’t been a joke. Eros could still picture Nico’s face when he’d told him everything he knew about Myles. It had been a desperate play, a scramble to prove himself. Maybe he’d gone too far when he’d dug up that photo, but he needed Nico to know where his loyalties lay. Nico had paced, a look of dark disbelief on his face as he stared at the picture, then he chuckled. “So that’s all it took? A pretty Latino?” The mocking laugh made Eros’s heart sink.
Eros wasn’t wrong. Following a goon, hands buried in my pockets, I stepped into the hall, a hundred stares landing on me. I cursed under my breath, grimacing for everyone to see. If I’d known I’d be stumbling into an event at the Boss’s home, I’d have sat this one out. But it was too late for regrets; at least it was quiet here, with a classical tune in the background—every bit different from the loud thump of the club I’d just left. “This way, sir.” The butler called, leading me up a grand staircase. The carved balustrades were a magnificent work of art; Uncle Nico had always had an eye for beautiful pieces, taking his time with them, unlike my father, who had drifted from everything he grew up with. I looked up, and there he was at the top of the stairs, looking down at me. I held his gaze, my grimace intact so he’d understand just how pissed I was.“Oh, come on.” My uncle rolled his eyes. “Fine, I made a mistake with the timing and should have notified you. I forgot… Come here.
**MYLES**The plan was to keep recovering until next week. I’d let Mum keep me home Wednesday and Thursday, but by Friday, I couldn’t wait any longer. The moment I walked into the barn, I felt his eyes on me—like a velvet knife, slicing through my clothes and into my thoughts. But I didn’t look back at him. Instead, I turned to the far end of the room, where Leo was watching Jade, who was struggling to pull on her boots, frustration written all over her face.They were next on the ice rink for the figure skating club, but Jade looked ready to explode. Then, her eyes met mine. The boots dropped from her hands, her eyes widening. "Myles," she mouthed.I smiled, and in the next second, she was racing toward me, throwing her arms around me in a tight embrace. I held her too, ignoring the attention she’d drawn and the slight pain digging into my sides.“You’re going to be the death of me,” she whispered, something warm and wet soaking into my shirt. “You’re going to be the fucking death o
**Oh God!** I groaned through a mouthful of tacos, licking my fingers. "I love your mum, Myles! Oh my God, this is so good." Leo, seated on Myles's study desk, shot me a look that screamed, *Seriously, Jade?* Meanwhile, Myles, standing beside him, chuckled and kept explaining his math working. We were at his house. I sat cross-legged on his bed next to a tray stacked high with tacos. Natalie was nowhere to be found—she had left the room with Myles's mum twenty minutes ago. A smile spread across my face, warmth filling my chest, as Myles gave Leo a playful slap on the back of his head. He had no idea how happy I was. It was obvious why he'd hidden his address from us—Myles was ashamed of where he lived. But suddenly, he wasn’t anymore? What changed his mind? Whatever it was deserved a kiss on the cheek. I loved the coziness of his room as much as I loved his mum, with her cute Mexican accent. I groaned again. "Oh God!" Leo turned to glare this time. "Really? Are you going
**MYLES** *Today. 6pm.* His text had said, and at that moment, my stomach sank. Even the laughter around me couldn’t drown out the unease twisting in my gut. Two hours later, after everyone had left, I pulled my hood over my head and walked to the deserted road where I was always picked up. There he was—not his driver, but Tristan himself, sitting behind the steering wheel. My brows knit, more in annoyance than shock. Great. So much for those two peaceful hours before the storm. Gone. “The front seat,” he said as I approached, not even glancing at me. I slid in next to him, shutting the door behind me. He started the ignition and pulled onto the road, his expression still unreadable. I studied the side of his face, trying to gauge his mood or his thoughts, but it was blank. The tension filling the car gnawed at my insides, warning me this wasn’t good. I turned to the window instead, refusing to let his mood swings keep me on edge. But no matter how hard I tried to relax,
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