I lean against the wall, folding my arms across my chest.“He wants us to work together on this. To figure out who those bastards were and why they came after me. Do you think we can do that?”For a long minute, he doesn’t say anything.And I once again feel right to know that whatever differences w
[AVA]“Your dear friend saved you, Ava. But who would save your dear mommy?”The words hit me like a goddamn freight train. My blood runs cold, and a sick feeling twists in my gut. I’m staring at that note, trying to keep my shit together, but it feels like someone just kicked me in the chest.I gla
[AVA]When I wake up, I’m in my bed, staring at the ceiling fan lazily spinning above me.The dull throb in my head reminds me that I passed out earlier, but the softness of the sheets is a stark contrast to the cold tile floor I collapsed on.I’m not sure how long I’ve been out, but hopefully not t
[AVA]“Where the hell are you?”The second I answer the call, Brian’s voice snaps through my ear, straight to my skull.I pull the phone away for half a second, hoping to shake off the weird woozy sensation in my head.“Ava? Ava? What the fuck, Ava? Don’t go silent on me now. I’m dying here.”I pres
The call disconnects, and it takes me another fifteen minutes to pull myself together.Knowing that he cares so much makes me want to cry and dance at the same time. Honest to God, I have no idea how I ended up with this man in my life. Do I even deserve him?Probably not. But that’s not going to st
[AVA]After Mom and Dad leave for the safe place Aaron arranged for them, we ride back to the hospital.I’m still a little shaken up by the threat to my parents, but knowing they’re safe for now, I allow myself to feel slightly better.Once we arrive, the nurses inform us that Sean is awake.My hear
Miranda's fingers tremble as she presses them to her temples. "Stop it, both of you," she whispers.For once, Coraline listens. She clenches her jaw so tightly I swear I can hear her teeth grind, but she doesn't say another word.Aaron, though—he’s still simmering, his shoulders tense, his hands fle
[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
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
Miranda's fingers tremble as she presses them to her temples. "Stop it, both of you," she whispers.For once, Coraline listens. She clenches her jaw so tightly I swear I can hear her teeth grind, but she doesn't say another word.Aaron, though—he’s still simmering, his shoulders tense, his hands fle