AFTER AN YEARIris POV:The weight of exhaustion was like a heavy cloak around me, making every movement feel like wading through thick molasses. I stirred reluctantly, each muscle in my body protesting against the effort required to rise from the bed. The remnants of sleep clung to me like a shroud, whispering sweet promises of rest and comfort, but reality had other plans.Quinn’s voice cut through the fog, its deep, authoritative tone breaking the spell of my drowsiness. "Stand up, peasant. Make me my breakfast."I groaned inwardly, struggling to shake off the remnants of sleep. With a slow, deliberate effort, I pushed myself out of bed. The coolness of the tile floor against my bare feet was a small relief from the oppressive heat of the day.As I reached the kitchen, I could feel Quinn’s gaze on my back, her concern palpable. “Wow, are you okay?” she asked, her brow furrowing in genuine worry as I opened the fridge. The cool air whooshed out, mingling with the warmth of the m
Ace POV:The brightness of the hospital room hit me hard, making my eyes squint in irritation. I blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the harsh light that felt like needles piercing through my skull. My head throbbed with a dull ache, and I reached up instinctively, feeling the cold touch of the IV needle and wires connected to my body. Glucose dripped slowly from a bag beside the bed, feeding into my veins.I hate this shit.A sigh escaped my lips as I tried to calm the erratic rhythm of my breathing. My thoughts were a mess, fragmented and blurry as I attempted to piece together how I had ended up here. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled my nostrils, and it only made me feel more out of place."You're awake," a nurse's cheerful voice broke through the haze, her overly bright demeanor grating on my nerves.Why the hell is she so happy? I glared at her as she bustled around the room, checking my vitals.Before I could respond, the door swung open, and I saw my friends— Ai
Iris POV:Here I am, trying to enjoy my lunch in the quiet corner of the restaurant where all the staff hang out. It's a little refuge, a spot where I can just breathe, away from the prying eyes and the constant buzz of the kitchen. The familiar hum of chatter fills the air, blending with the clinking of cutlery and the soft whir of the ceiling fans above. My plate of food is steaming, a simple meal that should be comforting, but my appetite is nowhere to be found.I can feel their eyes on me—Jeremy and his buddies—watching me from across the room. Their gaze is almost palpable, a heavy, unwelcome presence that makes the air around me feel thicker, more oppressive. Clearly expecting me to look devastated or sad or desperate enough to try and talk to him. But they’re wrong. Idiots.I focus on my food, trying to ignore the knot of tension tightening in my stomach. Gosh, can’t I work anywhere without being embarrassed? It’s like no matter where I go, I can’t escape the feeling of
Iris POV:I stood in the dim light of the New York subway station, the chilly air seeping into my bones despite the early hour. My nerves tingled with anticipation, every sound and movement around me amplified as I waited. Quinn stood beside me, her brows furrowed in concern as she noticed my restless energy."Are you sure you're okay?" Quinn's worried inquiry mirrored my own unease, but I forced a nod, trying to appear calm. My tapping feet, however, betrayed my anxiety, drumming a nervous rhythm against the concrete floor.I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, the hands moving sluggishly as if mocking my impatience. The early hour only served to heighten my anticipation, the quietness of the station amplifying my every thought. I was caught in a loop of anxiety, the minutes stretching into what felt like eternity, each second adding to the weight of my thoughts.Pacing back and forth, I struggled to contain the restless energy surging through me. My mind was a whirlwind o
Iris POV:Warmth enveloped me like a comforting embrace as I slowly drifted back to consciousness. A tingling sensation spread through my chest, and for a fleeting moment, I felt an unusual sense of peace. But as I gradually opened my eyes, the sight that greeted me sent a jolt of shock coursing through my body like a lightning strike.I was lying on my side, and there, nestled against me, was Ace. His face was tucked into the curve of my breasts, his cheek pressed against my nipple as if he had claimed the spot as his own. His touch was gentle but possessive, with his hands resting lightly on my waist while one of his legs was draped sensuously between mine.I blinked rapidly, my mind struggling to process the surreal and inappropriate scene before me. My body tensed in disbelief, and then, unable to contain the horror that gripped me, a scream erupted from my throat, shattering the fragile silence of the room."ACE!" I yelled, sitting up abruptly and instinctively covering mysel
Ace POV:As I got out of my car and marched toward the mansion, the biting cold of the night gnawed at my skin, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging within me. Every step felt heavy, burdened by the chaos in my chest. The darkness seemed to close in around me, a fitting backdrop for the mess I was tangled in. My breath came out in short bursts, the chill doing nothing to calm the searing heat of frustration that boiled under my skin.I had sent Ares to bring Iris here tonight. There would be no interruptions— just the two of us, face to face, with nowhere left to hide from the truth. My mind raced, heart pounding as I approached the massive front door, my hand stopped for just a split second before I shoved it open with more force than necessary. The door slammed against the wall, echoing through the silent halls like a thunderclap.And there she was— standing in front of the couch, frozen in place. The dim lighting cast soft shadows on her face, highlighting the fear
Author POV:Hudson’s voice came out sharp, edged with panic as entered the room. “Is everything okay?”Despite the calmness Susan tried to project, her heart thudded with an unease she couldn’t dismiss.She had seen enough in her life to recognize the grim signs of violence, and the scene in front of her was disturbingly familiar. Years of dealing with the mafia's twisted underworld had hardened her, but it never got easier."I cleaned her body, but I didn’t see any blood," Susan replied, her voice steady but cold. "Only scratches.""Scratches?" Hudson's voice faltered."On her chest and waist," Susan continued, her gaze hardening. "And lots of finger marks. Someone left bruises."A silence filled the room, but it wasn't the kind of silence that brought peace. It was tense, heavy, like a predator circling just out of sight. Susan’s eyes narrowed, her mind turning over the details. She’d seen violence before, but something about this unsettled her in a different way. She knelt besid
Iris POV:As the clock struck 7 in the evening, I found myself sitting on a crowded bus, exasperated and a little irritated by the situation. Caleb was beside me, his presence unwavering and annoyingly insistent. He had practically dragged me onto the bus after I mentioned walking back to my apartment. Sure, I wasn’t feeling one hundred percent, but it wasn’t like yesterday’s fever— just a mild one now, nothing serious. Still, Caleb insisted on accompanying me, acting as though I might collapse at any moment. I appreciated his concern, but it was suffocating.Last night, though, that was a blur. A dark, unsettling memory that I was determined to push away, even as fragments kept surfacing. Someone had forced me into something I didn’t want, and the memory of it lingered like a bad taste in my mouth. It had felt like a game, a cruel one, and while I was glad it was over, I couldn't shake the weirdness of it all. My skin crawled just thinking about it.Yet, despite my resolve to
*MATURE* Without another thought, I slid down from the counter, the movement quick and precise, my eyes never leaving hers. She took a step back, startled by the sudden intensity in my movements.“I have to cook,” she stammered, her wide eyes locking with mine. She could see it— darkness, lust, raw and unfiltered, burning in my gaze. She knew exactly what she had done to me, temptation and hunger, a need so deep it felt like it might consume me.“Oh~ you should have thought about that before you started that little show of yours,” I growled, my voice thick with desire as I advanced on her, my steps quick and purposeful.She tried to run away, but there was nowhere to go. In a matter of seconds, her back hit the counter, and she stumbled slightly, regaining her balance by gripping the counter’s edge. Before she could react further, I was there, looming over her, trapping her between the solid counter and my body, so close that our chests brushed together with every breath. I lea
Ace POV:Even with the tension building in the room, my focus stayed on the phone in my hand.The screen lit up, displaying the contact details of the one person who made me rethink everything.Iris. Her name seemed to burn into my mind.For the past half hour, my finger hovered over the dial button, hesitating, refusing to move forward.Yesterday morning, I'd been a fucking dick to her.The way I treated her, the words I spat out—they still gnawed at me, but nothing haunted me more than the look in her eyes. The hurt. The disbelief.She'd always been the one person I never lashed out at, the one I protected from the ugliness of my world.And in one moment of misplaced anger at Agostino, I'd turned that ugliness on her.She had always looked at me like I was more than the monster everyone else saw.I hated how her pain lingered in the back of my mind.I deserved it, every bit of it, but now... I was afraid to call her.What if she taunted me?What if she threw those same words back in
Ace POV:"I mean, really?" I muttered, driving the knife into the table with a heavy thud, the sound echoing through the dimly lit basement.My chest heaved as I caught my breath, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away.The man lying on the floor, once so full of defiance, now barely had the strength to whimper."That eyepop literally looked me in the eyes and then turned around, snuggled into her cheeks like it was nothing!" I exclaimed, the disbelief in my voice masking the seething anger that still simmered beneath the surface.I turned to the lifeless form on the floor, eyes narrowing in frustration.His screams had subsided into faint, muffled groans, his life slipping away with every shallow breath."Shh... Can you like keep your fucking voice down? I'm talking," I snapped, as if he could still hear or care.His head lolled to the side, the last traces of life fading from his bloodshot eyes."Snacks knows he makes me jealous," I muttered to myself, pacing back and forth as I recounte
Ace POV:The door creaked open with a suddenness that made Mini jump in surprise.Hudson strode in, carrying a file, his face set in an expression that could only be described as serious.Mini, perched on my lap just moments before, scrambled to her feet with a haste that betrayed her flustered state.Her cheeks were a bright pink, a mix of embarrassment and shyness flushing her face as she quickly buttoned up her shirt.She offered Hudson a shy, somewhat awkward smile, her eyes darting to the floor as if unsure where to look.Hudson's gaze swept the room, and his eyes fell upon Snack, the tiny gerbil who was now perched on the edge of the table, his little feet twitching with curiosity.Hudson's face twisted into an expression of disbelief, mingled with a hint of amusement."What the fuck is this?" Hudson's voice cut through the room, carrying a blend of incredulity and faint humor. He stared at Snack, clearly not expecting to find a eyepop in the middle of whatever business he had w
Ace POV:I took a final glance in the mirror, scrutinizing every detail of my reflection.The fight had been brutal, and the adrenaline still pulsed faintly in my veins, but I couldn't let Iris see any of it.With a deep breath, I again sprayed more cologne, hoping the scent would mask the faint, metallic odor of blood that clung to my skin."Boss," a voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see one of the guards standing behind me, breathing heavily like he'd sprinted to find me.His chest heaved, but he maintained his posture, extending a pendant and my phone towards me.I nodded, a small smile forming as I took the pendant. Without it, I always felt off-balance, like something essential was missing.Clasping it around my neck, I met Ares' eyes and gave him a curt nod.With one last adjustment to my shirt, I picked up the bouquet of flowers and ran a hand through my hair, trying to tame the mess it had become."Mini," I called out as I stepped into the hall, my voice echoing throu
Ace POV:There was a thud beside me, followed by a collective gasp from everyone in the shop.I straightened slowly, my hand instinctively moving towards my concealed weapon.The man who had been standing beside me was now sprawled on the floor, blood pooling around his head.In one fluid motion, I gripped Edrick by his collar and started to drag him deeper into the shop."Move!" I hissed, shoving him ahead of me. His eyes were wide with terror, all his earlier bravado evaporating in the face of real danger.The air erupted with gunfire. Screams filled the shop as customers and staff alike scrambled for cover.Bodies fell, some diving for safety, others crumpling lifelessly to the ground.The sweet scent of flowers was quickly overpowered by the acrid smell of gunpowder and fear.We took cover behind a table stacked high with flowers, the blooms now a flimsy barrier between us and whoever was trying to kill us.I scanned the shop, looking for any avenue of escape.The front was out of
Ace POV:"Liam!" we both exclaimed, frustration evident in our voices.He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and flopped down on the couch, looking completely unconcerned.We both laid there, breathing heavily. I backed away from her and we sat up on the couch as she adjusted her dress, pouting.Within moments, all my friends had gathered around the couch.Felix, Aiden, and Alex had clearly been roused from their beds, evident by the fact that they were only wearing pajama pants. The others were dressed but looked just as groggy.They all looked like they might fall asleep here if I let them."Why the hell did you call us?" Susan asked, laying her head on Aiden's lap, her eyes half-closed with sleepiness."I specifically told everyone to meet me here at 9 sharp, and it's already past 11. Motherfuckers!" I snapped, gritting my teeth in frustration.I noticed Iris glancing around at everyone with concern as she sat beside me. Her cheeks were flushed with shyness while Liam alternated b
Iris POV:I got off the bike with a sense of urgency and swiftly reached for the cake from Leo. My movements were precise and careful."You're really dramatic," Leo said with a puzzled expression as he removed my helmet, his fingers brushing my hair away from my face."No. The way you drive the bike is disapproving," I said, my tone laced with concern. "The cake could have easily fallen off and been ruined if you hadn't been careful."I took a quick peek into the box to ensure that the cake was still intact.Thankfully, it appeared to be unharmed, its frosting and decorations still perfectly in place."Sweetie, I do bike stunts all the time," Leo replied with a playful smirk, his confidence evident. "You think I can't handle a cake that was literally placed in the gas tank of the bike?""A cake is like a fragile newborn baby," I said with exaggerated seriousness. "We have to handle it with the utmost care. You wouldn't be doing stunts if you had a newborn baby with you, would you?"Le
Iris POV:We both jolted at the sudden sound of a voice from outside the door."Iris!" Aiden's voice cut through the silence, causing Liam to let out a weary sigh."This boy," Liam muttered under his breath, "is such a brat. He'll bicker with you like a stray dog but can't stay away for even a moment."I couldn't help but giggle at his words. "I suppose today has been eventful enough. I'll fill you in on the rest of the story later," Liam said, rising from his seat to open the door.I sighed deeply, giving my cheeks a few quick smacks to wake myself from the flashback.The door swung open, revealing Aiden with a mischievous smirk, followed by Susan, Felix, and Hudson as they filed into the room.Susan immediately flopped onto the bed, resting her head on my lap as she cheerfully munched on a chocolate bar.The group's curious eyes darted between Liam and me, their expressions laced with suspicion."...What happened?" I asked, trying to clear the dryness from my throat as I addressed t