[MAX]I’m ready to take a break and hand over the counter to Patrick when the rainbow girl walks into the café/diner, and the bell chimes over her head.Her eyes find mine in an instant, and I stop whatever I’m doing for reasons I don’t even want to know.“Hey!” She walks over to me, leans on the co
[AVA]“Nope! Still not picking up his phone,” Sean says, shaking his head, trying his damnedest to keep it together.I can’t blame him. If Brian walked out on me this way, I would freak out like hell. Fuck, I don’t even know what I would do. I would probably have a meltdown or something.Perhaps tha
[MAX]I glance over at Gabriella as we drive toward the old factory. Her hair is even more vibrant in the sunlight, and I can’t help but admire how it contrasts with her serious expression. She’s been silent since we left, probably sensing the urgency of the situation. I appreciate that she’s here,
I look around, hands on my hips.I see guards and a few couples taking their dogs for late-night walks, but no Aaron. I run a hand through my hair, frustrated. I don’t know why I’m getting so worked up about this, but I can’t shake the feeling that we’re running out of time. I just hate seeing Sean
[AARON]I sit on the edge of the cliff, looking out at the river below. The sound of rushing water drowns out my thoughts, giving me a much-needed moment of peace. The sky is a deep shade of twilight, and the first stars are beginning to twinkle. This spot has always been my sanctuary, the place I c
[AVA]“I don’t care what your damn problem is, Aaron, but you don’t get to scare me like this!” The way Sean is pacing in front of us and shouting at Aaron (obviously) makes me wonder if I should interfere and tell him to give it a rest. I mean, we found Aaron, shouldn’t we just, I don’t know, get
[SEAN]I’m so mad at Aaron that I don’t even have the words to express it. Not only did he scare me for the millionth time tonight, but he also embarrassed me in front of Ava, the only real friend I have these days. Ever since I decided to come out and the news spread like wildfire in our filthy ric
[AVA]I can’t believe this is happening right now.God, this is fucked-up. This is the kind of mess that one needs to avoid at any cost. My only problem? I’m feeling absolutely powerless in front of these two brawny guys.The moment Max saw my bruises, he jumped to conclusions. He snapped at the dri
[BRIAN]When I pull up at Ava’s old address, I have only one goal in mind.To find Max and get the hell out.Why? Because this place always gave me the creeps. Not only is it the most notorious part of the city, but it’s also slightly dangerous.When Dean and his family went bankrupt years ago, I di
He walks back to the couch, and for the first time, I notice a camera that’s already been set up.My stomach tightens.He grabs the camera stand with one hand and drags it closer to where I am. Adjusting the angle, he makes sure it focuses directly on me. Then he straightens, his gaze locking onto m
[AVA]I might have lost consciousness because the next time I open my eyes, the bright lights make me wince and squeeze them shut again.“Ah…” I whimper, only then realizing my ankle is badly bruised.“You’re awake.”A deep male voice rings in my ears, and I look up—only to find the same staff guy w
[AVA]Once Brian leaves, I sink back onto the couch, my fingers dialing Max’s number again.Maybe if he picks up, I can convince him to drop by on his own, and Brian wouldn’t have to go.But every call goes unanswered. And the more I try to convince myself it’s no big deal—that Max is just being him
I run my fingers through his wet hair. “Because I can’t stop thinking about what happens next. About who’s behind this. About how this doesn’t just affect me but everyone around me.”“You don’t have to figure everything out right this second, Ava.”“I know,” I whisper, but knowing and believing are
[AVA]I finally feel a little better—enough to let Brian freshen up after his long flight.He kisses me on the forehead and promises to join me soon.Maybe he knows that if I’m left alone, my mind will start spiraling again, drowning me in guilt. And once that happens, I won’t be able to focus on an
I unlock the door and pull the door open, only to find his familiar handsome face looking back at me.He’s dressed in a white shirt and blue denim jeans, and I don’t think he could look any better.I know, I know. I probably sound like some horny bitch, but I don’t care. It’s Brian. And being horny
[AVA]After dropping me off at Brian’s penthouse, Aaron insists on staying until Brian returns.But I can clearly see the disinterest on his face—he can’t stand another bored minute with me. So, I do what I know is right.I ask him to leave.Maybe out of formality, he insists once more that he doesn
[AVA]“I’m sure she didn’t mean it, Ava,” Miranda tries to say, but she might as well accept that her daughter will never see me as someone to be trusted.Whatever I’ve done to piss this woman off, one thing is certain—I don’t care anymore. I neither have the time to bother myself with her nonsense