Lucas POVI slip away from Alissia, the cool midday air clinging to my skin as I leave her sitting on that bench, her mind clearly spinning from our conversation. She has no idea what she’s getting into. That much is obvious from the way her eyes widened when I explained what happens during a real murder—the mess, the loss of control. She probably thought it was like in the movies, neat and clean. But it’s not. Death is chaos.The way her expression changed when I told her about the bodily fluids—that was when I knew. She thinks it’s simple. She thinks I walk in, shoot someone, and it’s over. But it’s never that easy. Murder is an art, and like any masterpiece, it requires time, patience, and precision. In a way, it’s a lot like stalking. Not the person necessarily, but the location, the details. Everything has to be perfect.She probably doesn’t realize how much planning goes into each kill. You don’t just grab a gun and take someone out. That’s amateur work. No, you have to get insi
Alissia POVWhen I get back, the apartment is empty. Jenni’s not home, and honestly, that’s good. I need the quiet, the space, the time to process everything that’s happened. I need to type it all out while it’s still fresh in my mind, while the adrenaline is still buzzing in my veins.I open my laptop and begin typing, my fingers moving quickly over the keys. My mind is racing, replaying everything—the guy I just met, how he spoke, the way he moved, the sharpness in his eyes, and the cold edge to his voice.I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t hot. He was... really hot.I pause for a second, letting the image of him fill my mind. He was tall, with a broad, muscular build, a rugged face shadowed by a thick beard that somehow made him look even more dangerous. Tattoos peeked out from under the sleeves of his leather jacket, crawling up his neck and down his arms, like stories inked into his skin. And those eyes—dark, intense, like they could see right through me. His whole presence screame
Alissia POVMy heart pounds in my chest as I make my way to the door, hesitating for just a second before pulling it open.A man stands there, his face impassive, holding out a box.“Yes?” I whisper, feeling the uneasy twist in my stomach.“Boss said you need to wear this tonight,” he says, handing me the box without another word. Before I can ask anything else, he turns and walks away, leaving me in the doorway holding the box.Boss? Tonight? My mind reels. He must mean the guy I met this morning—the one I’ve been calling Jackson. I glance back at my laptop, wondering if the stalker hacker had anything to do with this, but it seems quiet.Great, I think, sighing. Now he’s giving me gifts.I walk back inside, placing the box on the tab
Alissia POVWhen I walk through the door, Jenni’s waiting for me, arms crossed and eyes full of curiosity.“You’re alive,” she teases with a slight laugh, her eyebrows raising.I groan, tired of the same reaction every time I return from one of these insane meetings. “Yes, and I’ve got all fingers and toes still attached,” I reply, wiggling my fingers at her for effect.“Are you sure they’re real and not just randoms playing pretend to get your attention?” she asks, a more serious note in her voice this time.I hadn’t considered that, but something about the way these men carry themselves, the chilling confidence, tells me they aren’t pretending. “I’m sure they’re not playing pretend. There’s no way they’re faking that.”She nods slowly, eyeing me cautiously. “I was reading your work,” she says, pointing to my laptop screen.My stomach drops, and I wince. “About that,” I say, walking over to close the file on the lapt
Alissia POVAs I stand back and take in the full picture in the mirror, I barely recognize myself. I look like someone else—someone bolder, darker.What am I getting myself into?“Woah,” Jenni’s voice snaps me back to reality. She stares at me, eyes wide. “Goddamn, Alissia, he’s dressing you up like the main meal. I’m just putting it out there.”I groan and roll my eyes at her comment.“You think I’m joking? Guarantee he’s planning to eat you, not dinner,” she smirks, clearly enjoying herself.“I don’t even know if we’re having food,” I mutter, still unsure of what tonight even entails. The dress doesn’t exactly scream ‘Don lesson.’ Maybe it’s a formal event? Or is this part of
Demitri POVI should’ve chosen the dress. Axel warned me not to get too involved, but the one they picked? It’s damn close to what I would have selected. Maybe I should’ve told them no slit, make sure it covers her shoulders—something a bit less revealing. But here we are, and she’s sitting there with the dress hugging her curves, the slit revealing just enough of her legs to make it impossible to concentrate.I try to focus on tonight’s business, but the way she’s seated, both her legs are showing in a way that has my attention splitting in two. Axel catches my eye in the rearview mirror, giving me a knowing smirk, as if he can sense the internal battle I’m facing.There are a few reasons for tonight. First, I want her to feel what it’s like for the characte
Alissia POVThe meal went… well? I’m not entirely sure. Twice, Demitri’s hand gripped my dress, covering my exposed thigh as if the sight of my skin was too much for him to bear. The second time, he held it so tightly, his fist clenched in the fabric like it physically hurt him to let me be exposed.Why does he care so much? If he didn’t want my leg on display, maybe he should’ve chosen a different dress? Now, it’s just the two of us left at the table, and he turns toward me, his sharp eyes catching mine.“Each day my work changes,” he begins, his voice steady but intense. “There may be days where you cannot join me, and days where you can be with me all day. I have a question, Alissia. What is your limit?”I blink. Limits again? Every man I’ve met so far asks me about limits. “I have no limits,” I say, the words leaving my mouth without hesit
Alissia POV“Thank you for the dress,” I say, looking up at him as we move, “but why?”He spins me around until my back is pressed against his chest, his breath warm on the back of my neck. “You want to portray the female character, right?” His voice is smooth, controlled. I nod, waiting for more. “How do you know how the female character feels? You don’t. The gift of the dress was meant to give you that same feeling—help you experience what your character would.”So this was all part of the research? His explanation makes sense in theory, but something still feels off. His eyes flick across the room, like he’s having a silent conversation with someone.I can’t shake the feeling that this dance isn’t just for me—it’s part of something larger, something calculated. He turns me and pulls my body closer to his, our movements fluid, but there’s a tension beneath it. His hand slides down my back, keeping me tight against him.Then his gaze shifts again. This time, I catch the moment he giv
Blake POVThe backyard is alive with laughter and music, a celebration buzzing with life. Today is Zane’s third birthday, and he’s tearing across the lawn, his little legs pumping as he darts between the tables. Not far behind him is Elijah, toddling as fast as he can to keep up with his older brother, his green eyes wide with excitement. I watch them both, my chest tightening with pride and love I never thought I’d feel.Demitri’s over by the grill, chatting with Axel while flipping burgers, and Lucas is putting up the last of the decorations that Alissia decided we “needed” at the last minute. As for Alissia, she’s cradling Keziah in her arms, bottle-feeding her while keeping a close eye on our two sons as they play. The whole scene is something I never dreamed would be mine—kids, family, this sense of belonging that goes deeper than I can put into words.Alissia made sure it was as close to a regular kids party as possible, no overly priced locations, just something simple at home
Demitri POVAs I pace quietly through the kitchen, Keziah nestled soundly in my arms, her tiny breaths soft against my chest, I feel the weight of it all—the life we’ve built, the family we’ve created. Axel leans against the door, arms crossed, his expression one of quiet amusement, a glint in his eye that tells me he’s up to something.“What, Axel?” I murmur, keeping my voice low to avoid disturbing Keziah.“Nothing,” he replies, though the smirk says otherwise. I narrow my eyes at him, and he finally chuckles, unable to hold back. “You know she’s three months old now, right?” he says, raising an eyebrow.I frown, not quite following. I grab my coffee, nodding for him to follow me as I head out of the kitchen. “And?” I prompt, confused by his insinuation.He shrugs, his grin widening. “I was just thinking… after Zane was born, you three were so caught up in the whole baby frenzy that you kinda… forgot a key point about Alissia. Next thing we know, Alissia’s pregnant again, and then w
Alissia POVI don’t know how long I’ve been out when a sharp, intense pain jolts me awake. I gasp, clutching my stomach, my heart racing as I try to make sense of what’s happening. The pain is undeniable, and as it fades, I feel Demitri’s hand on my shoulder, concern etched into his face.“What’s wrong?” he asks, eyes wide, and I can feel the tension ripple through the car as Blake and Lucas turn, alarmed.“I think…” I pause, sucking in a shaky breath. “I think I’m in labor.”Demitri stares at me, as if hoping he misheard. “This better be a joke, Alissia,” he says, his voice a mixture of worry and frustration. “We’re still an hour away.”I manage a laugh, but it quickly turns into a scream as another contraction hits, the pain searing through me. “Oh god, it hurts!” I gasp, squeezing his hand with all my strength.“Okay, okay, don’t panic,” Blake says from in front of me, though his voice sounds anything but calm. “Lucas, find something—anything—useful. Blankets, towels… anything. I'l
Alissia POVI rest my hand on my stomach, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves flutter beneath my fingertips. My book was published three months after we moved into our new home—six months ago now. And here I am, cutting things close to the wire, but there was no way I was going to miss this event, not for anything.Suddenly, I feel strong hands grip my shoulders, gently but firmly pushing me down into a chair. I look up to see Demitri standing over me, a smirk on his face. I glare at him, but he only shrugs and lets out a soft chuckle, clearly unfazed. The room around us is buzzing with energy, filled with authors at their tables displaying all sorts of extravagant setups—banners, exclusive bookmarks, even themed merchandise like mini handcuffs and… sex toys. Meanwhile, at my table, there’s just me and these three men. I have books and such and as well, but it's these three who are the main attraction. It wasn’t supposed to be this way, but none of them would even consider stay
Alissia POVThe marble floors beneath my feet are pristine, veined with dark streaks that run through the stone like rivers. In the center, an elaborate medallion design is inlaid, drawing the eye and adding a touch of artistry to the already lavish setting. Along the walls are portraits in gilded frames, each one depicting figures from history or perhaps ancestors I’ll never know. The sconces beside each painting cast a soft, ambient light, illuminating the dark wood paneling that lines the walls and lends an air of timeless elegance.I stand there, awestruck, and feel Demitri’s hand rest lightly on the small of my back, guiding me further inside. “Welcome home,” he murmurs, his voice gentle, yet filled with a pride that’s unmistakable.Turning to face him, I still can’t quite process what I’m seeing. “This… all of this… it’s ours?” I whisper, my voice barely more than a breath.“Yes,” Blake chimes in with a grin. “A real home for all of us, and a place where our family can grow.”Lu
Alissia POVThis week has been all about immersing myself in my book. The second draft is finally done, and I’ve been piecing together the perspectives of Demitri, Blake, and Lucas, capturing their unique thoughts and emotions. They’ve been surprisingly helpful, giving me these rare glimpses into their minds during moments I wouldn’t otherwise understand. But even though the draft is complete, releasing it isn’t quite on the horizon yet. There’s one major thing in my life that needs my attention first.Jenni nudges me, breaking my train of thought, and I glance down at the pregnancy test on the bed. “You know you actually have to look at it to see the results, right?” she teases, her chuckle light but encouraging.I groan, my stomach knotting with anxiety. “This wasn’t in the plan, Jenni! We were supposed to stick to the plan!” My voice is almost a whine, frustration spilling over.“Planning isn’t always necessary, you know,” she laughs, not the least bit fazed. “But if you’re gonna d
DemitriA week has passed since that date with Alissia, and every night since, I’ve tried to create small, ordinary moments with her. Even if it’s something as simple as sitting quietly with a book for ten minutes, I find myself drawn to carving out these snippets of normalcy for her—and, strangely, for myself too. It’s a shift that hasn’t gone unnoticed.Lucas and Blake have been watching me with a mix of curiosity and confusion, clearly wondering what’s prompted these small changes. They’re not ones to pry, but the unspoken questions in their eyes are obvious. Today, however, some things are going to change, and I need them to be a part of it. I’ve made up my mind, and there’s no turning back.When our car finally stops, we step out and make our way into the restaurant. The air is thick with the scent of expensive wine and seasoned wood, the atmosphere humming with quiet conversations and the soft clink of glass. Lucas and Blake follow behind, exchanging wary glances as I lead them
Alissia POVI sit on Lucas’s lap, my fingers hovering over the keyboard, absorbing his words, the intensity of his memories, and the raw honesty that drips from every line he’s just written. There’s something liberating about letting the story be real, about capturing not just the actions but the emotions beneath them—the twisted, obsessive need that drove him to act out, to lash back.“Go on,” he murmurs, his voice low and encouraging as he wraps his arm around my waist, anchoring me there. “Keep that line. Let it shape the chapter. Show how I felt, how my control slipped with every message that went unanswered.”His words sink into me, and I type out a few more lines, allowing myself to step inside his mind, to feel the frustration, the dark hunger that simmered beneath his surface. Lucas watches as I write, his eyes on the screen, reading every word as it takes form. I can feel the intensity in his gaze, like he’s reliving the moment, pulling me deeper into his world.After a while
Alissia POVAfter getting dressed, I step out and spot Lucas in the kitchen, focused and completely at ease, stirring something on the stove. The smell of spices fills the air, warm and inviting.“What are you doing?” I ask, hopping up onto the kitchen island to sit and watch him work, swinging my legs slightly.He glances over his shoulder, a small grin forming on his lips. “Well, I figured going out would just mean dealing with people and noise. So I thought we’d spend the night here instead—just us,” he says, his voice low and easy, as he turns back to his task. “Unless you’d rather go out?”I shake my head, smiling. “No, this is perfect.” I mean it, too. I don’t need anything extravagant. Being here, just the two of us, feels exactly right. He catches my gaze for a moment, a soft smile crossing his face before he goes back to cooking.He stirs a pot, then glances at me, curiosity lighting his eyes. “How’s the story coming along?”I groan, rolling my eyes, which makes him chuckle.