My heart is going a thousand miles an hour. I stare at Liam, my mouth slightly open, waiting—begging—for him to take it back. To tell me I heard him wrong. To say something, anything, that doesn’t sound like a death sentence.
But he just sits there, completely still, watching me with that cold, detached expression, like he’s already made peace with whatever nightmare is about to unfold.
And that’s when I snap.
“What the hell do you mean it’s already too late?” My voice is sharp, loud enough that a few people glance in our direction. I don’t care. “Why would you even say something like that?”
Liam doesn’t react. Doesn’t flinch. Just keeps staring at me like I’m wasting my breath.
I watch Sadie storm out of the coffee shop, her shoulders tight with frustration, her steps quick and uneven like she can’t decide whether to run or turn back and scream at me some more.I exhale slowly, running a hand over my face.She’s got fire, I’ll give her that.Most people don’t talk to me like that. Not without regretting it. But Sadie? She didn’t even hesitate. She came in here ready to fight, ready to beg, ready to do whatever it took to save Tamrin from Trevor.And honestly?I respect it.But I also know that kind of desperation gets people killed.I lean back in my chair, stretching my arms over my head as I watch
I straighten my cuffs, taking another slow glance around the room. Everything is set. The air is thick with the scent of fresh flowers, an overwhelming mix of roses, lilies, and whatever else the florist shoved into the dozens of arrangements I ordered. They’re everywhere—on the dining table, lining the staircase, covering every available surface. It’s ridiculous. Over-the-top. Makes my stomach turn.But Tamrin will love it.She’ll step in here, eyes wide, heart fluttering, and she’ll believe every single thing I want her to believe. That she’s special. That she’s different. That I’m different when I’m with her.I roll my shoulders back and check my phone. The car is five minutes away. Good.
The night feels like something out of a dream. The kind of night I used to fantasize about when I imagined falling in love.Trevor’s arm is wrapped around me as we sit on the sleek, oversized sofa in his living room, the soft glow of the dimmed lights making everything feel warm and intimate. In front of us, the massive glass doors are wide open, letting in the cool night air. Beyond them, the infinity pool stretches out into the darkness, reflecting the stars so perfectly that it looks like the sky has spilled into the water.I sigh softly, sinking deeper into Trevor’s body, letting his warmth surround me. His fingers trace slow, lazy circles on my arm, and I close my eyes for a second, just breathing him in. Everything about tonight has been perfect. The food, the atmosphere, the way he looks at me like I’m the only girl in the world.
It's been 5 years since my father was killedI remember it like it's happening at this very moment.He worked late like every other night of his life and on his way home he was hijacked by a bunch of stupid boys who not only took his hard-earned money. They killed him in cold blood.My mother came into my room at 4 am in the morning and shook me awake. The moment I opened my eyes I saw the horror in hers. She tried to keep it together as she told me that I was never going to see my father again.My body went cold, I couldn't speak and I couldn't move. My father was dead!I don't remember how the funeral went because I was numb the whole time. All I remember is that he was put in the ground and that was it.And today when I woke up that numbness overtook me like it does every anniversary of his death. It starts in my feet and then it travels all the way to my chest. This ice-cold feeling grips
"Hi." I say to Celeste as she walks past my car. She ignores me and I say it again. "Hi," I say again and she passes by without a word. I stare at her in shock. I've been nothing but nice to this girl but she's always been mean.I follow her into to the store wondering what it would take for her to just say hello to me. I have been waiting for her to give me the light of day for a year now.I reach out and touch her arm softly. She just and then screams making me stop in my tracks."What the hell?" She says swatting my hand away, she looks up at me with a snarl on her face and it makes me smile. "And what the fuck are you smiling at?" She says taking her headphones off."I didn't know you had such a potty mouth," I say amused and she scawls at me."Wha do you want?" She says annoyed."I wanted to say hi to you," I say and she rolls her eyes at me. I smile surprised by her reaction. "And introduce myself," I say
An hour later I walk into the house with five grocery bags plastered to my body. I could have made a couple of trips to the car to get everything into the house but I don't have time for that. But that means I'm balancing eggs, milk and vinegar with every inch of my body so they don't fall.Now I have to admit I'm crazy for doing this but I'm almost there.When I get to the kitchen I slide my whole body down so I can place the bags down without breaking anything. I'm glad no one is here to see this because I'm sure I look stupid. If the fate of a dozen eggs wasn't in my hand I would have laughed.I breathe a sigh of relief when everything is safely placed on the ground.Now I have to put it away.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20 minutes later"Mom," I call out at her bedroom door. I doubt she's awake yet. I didn't hear any movement
It's Monday. so that means it's a school day. I opted to walk to school instead of taking the bus. Fun fact about me, I hate other people. So I avoid them.It's not a long walk, it's about a mile or so.When I get to the school gate I take a deep breath and let the air fill out my entire chest. I use the breath as a reminder that I can get through this day. I let it it slowly as I start to enter the schoolyard.
"Alrighty. Have a seat." The principal says taking a seat behind the desk. He waits for me to sit down in one of the chairs in front of the desk and then he smiles at me. "How are you this morning?" He says looking at me closely.I fake a smile and nod. "I'm good" I add hoping he believes me. He's known for seeing bullshit from a mile away. The students have a running theory that he's some sort of vampire that can read people's minds."Are you sure?" He asks looking me straight in the eyes. I keep a straight face and make sure to blink as normally as I can. I don't want to give anything away or else I'll be stuck in a 3 hour therapy session with him."Yes," I say smiling so it seems like I am really good. I channel Tamrin's advice and try to project positivity towards him. "I'm sure," I say and he nods somewhat convinced. I sigh in relief on the inside happy that he fell for that. Victory!!! I scream in my head."I want to talk to
The night feels like something out of a dream. The kind of night I used to fantasize about when I imagined falling in love.Trevor’s arm is wrapped around me as we sit on the sleek, oversized sofa in his living room, the soft glow of the dimmed lights making everything feel warm and intimate. In front of us, the massive glass doors are wide open, letting in the cool night air. Beyond them, the infinity pool stretches out into the darkness, reflecting the stars so perfectly that it looks like the sky has spilled into the water.I sigh softly, sinking deeper into Trevor’s body, letting his warmth surround me. His fingers trace slow, lazy circles on my arm, and I close my eyes for a second, just breathing him in. Everything about tonight has been perfect. The food, the atmosphere, the way he looks at me like I’m the only girl in the world.
I straighten my cuffs, taking another slow glance around the room. Everything is set. The air is thick with the scent of fresh flowers, an overwhelming mix of roses, lilies, and whatever else the florist shoved into the dozens of arrangements I ordered. They’re everywhere—on the dining table, lining the staircase, covering every available surface. It’s ridiculous. Over-the-top. Makes my stomach turn.But Tamrin will love it.She’ll step in here, eyes wide, heart fluttering, and she’ll believe every single thing I want her to believe. That she’s special. That she’s different. That I’m different when I’m with her.I roll my shoulders back and check my phone. The car is five minutes away. Good.
I watch Sadie storm out of the coffee shop, her shoulders tight with frustration, her steps quick and uneven like she can’t decide whether to run or turn back and scream at me some more.I exhale slowly, running a hand over my face.She’s got fire, I’ll give her that.Most people don’t talk to me like that. Not without regretting it. But Sadie? She didn’t even hesitate. She came in here ready to fight, ready to beg, ready to do whatever it took to save Tamrin from Trevor.And honestly?I respect it.But I also know that kind of desperation gets people killed.I lean back in my chair, stretching my arms over my head as I watch
My heart is going a thousand miles an hour. I stare at Liam, my mouth slightly open, waiting—begging—for him to take it back. To tell me I heard him wrong. To say something, anything, that doesn’t sound like a death sentence.But he just sits there, completely still, watching me with that cold, detached expression, like he’s already made peace with whatever nightmare is about to unfold.And that’s when I snap.“What the hell do you mean it’s already too late?” My voice is sharp, loud enough that a few people glance in our direction. I don’t care. “Why would you even say something like that?”Liam doesn’t react. Doesn’t flinch. Just keeps staring at me like I’m wasting my breath.
My hands are clammy against the warm ceramic of my coffee cup. I haven’t taken a sip in minutes—maybe longer. The coffee shop around me is alive with soft chatter and the clinking of spoons against porcelain, but all of it fades into the background as I stare at him. Liam.He’s sitting at a table near the window, legs stretched out, one arm draped over the back of his chair like he owns the place. Maybe he does. People know who he is. People fear him. And yet, he looks so... calm. Casual. Like he’s just another guy grabbing a morning coffee.Except he isn’t.He’s one of the most dangerous drug lords in the city.And I’m about to walk up to him and ask for help.My heart is hammering in my chest so loud I’m sure the barista behind the counter can hear it. I take a shaky breath and look down at my untouched drink. What the hell am I doing? This is insane. I don’t get involved in things like this.
I take a deep breath before hitting the call button. My fingers feel stiff like they don’t want to move, like my body already knows this conversation won’t go well. But I have to do it. I have to check on Tamrin. Ever since I spoke to Celeste, I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that something is really wrong. Celeste tried to play it cool, but I saw it—plain as day. The fear. The panic. The way her whole body went stiff when I mentioned Trevor’s name. She knows something about him, something she wouldn’t tell me.The phone rings twice before Tamrin picks up, and the moment I hear her voice, I know I’m too late.“Sadie!” she sings, her voice light and full of excitement. “Oh my gosh, I was just thinking about you.”I press my lips together, already feeling the unease creep up my spine. “Hey, T. I wanted to check in. How are you doing?”“Oh, I’m amazing,” s
I watch them from a distance, keeping my footsteps light as I follow up the trail. Trevor doesn’t even realize I’m here. He’s too caught up in whatever game he’s playing with Tamrin, too distracted by his own arrogance to notice the eyes on him. He used to be sharper than this. Back when I first met him, back when he was still trying to prove himself, Trevor never slipped. He never let his guard down. But now? Now he’s making mistakes. Now he’s sloppy.Tamrin giggles as he carries her up the trail, her arms wrapped around his shoulders like she trusts him, like he isn’t the worst kind of danger she could be walking into. He’s using her, and she doesn’t even see it. It makes my stomach twist. She’s just a pawn in whatever this is—whatever he’s planning. And if I know Trevor, it’s not about her. It’s about Celeste.I clench my jaw, keeping a steady pace b
I can see it all from up here.The city stretches out beneath us, glittering under the night sky like it was made for me. The streets, the buildings, the people—they don’t know it yet, but one day, they’ll all be mine. When I take Liam’s territory, I won’t be in the shadows anymore. I’ll be the king of this whole damn city.I smirk to myself, chest swelling with anticipation. The thought sends a rush of adrenaline through me, a feeling so strong it makes me chuckle out loud.Tamrin, who’s been staring at the view in awe, turns her head toward me. “What’s so funny?”I glance at her, still smiling. She looks beautiful in the soft glow of the city lights, her expression open, innocent. She has no idea who I really am. No idea what I’m planning.I tilt my head slightly, keeping my tone light. “Just thinking.”She gives me a curious look. “About what?”
I messed up.I could see it the second Tamrin’s lips pressed into a thin line, her arms folding across her chest in that way girls do when they’re deciding if they’re really mad or just annoyed. I had gotten cocky—too many questions about Celeste, too fast. Tamrin might stop talking, and I can’t have that.I force a slow smile, keeping my expression soft. “You’re mad.”Tamrin doesn’t say anything. Just stabs at the last bi