Most students glance my way, checking if I'm okay. However, their attention quickly shifts to the car and its occupant.The door swings open, and a tall, built guy in glasses steps out, his face etched with worry as he hurries towards me."God, you're okay!" He exhales deeply, relief washing over him as he runs his hands through his white dreadlocks.I sigh, feeling a mix of emotions. "Did I scratch your car?" I move to inspect the damage, but he grasps my wrist, stopping me.His touch sends a chill through my body. The familiar chorus of anxious voices in my head erupts, panicked and overwhelming.I must be giving him a look, because he releases me immediately, stepping back with a nervous laugh. He adjusts his glasses comfortably on the bridge of his nose. "I can see you don't like being touched."Yes. But only if I let you touch me, I think. Even Nate, my ex, knew better. He'd overreact whenever I jumped away or snapped at him for touching me. Maybe that's why he cheated on me...T
I watch as the manager squirms away hurriedly, whimpering and sniffling at the sharp cut I've just inflicted on his neck. I drew it to scratch the itch, to see my knife painted red.Honestly... I expect Jasper to yelp or stare at me in shock, but instead, he gazes at me in awe.I calmly shove my knife into my pocket and take a deep breath. "You never fail to get under people's skin, do you?""That fucker isn't a person, just a pervert." He turns away, sitting back on the barstool. "If you're expecting a thank you, you're not going to get it."I nod slowly and sit next to him. "Has he ever tried to touch you?"Jasper frowns. "Two more shots, Mary," he tells the bartender sternly. Mary eyes me warily, then avoids me like a poisonous plague.My lips twitch as I pull out my phone from my pocket. I glance at the screen to see a text from Damon.[Grim reaper: I'm heading back to Russia. It's up to you and Asael to get rid of the pestering gang. The other members will take care of the cleanu
For two weeks, I've transformed... evolved into a stalker, shadowing Rhys like a ninja. I track his every move: soccer practice, basketball games, coffee meetings, study sessions, bike races, car races, and gym sessions.But I carefully avoid clubs, fearing Asael, Luciano, or Ethan might spot me, and steer clear of the mansion he shares with Asael to avoid accidental encounters.Why have I become this crazed individual, obsessively stalking the man I supposedly hate? Because Rhys has been avoiding me, living his life as if I don't exist.Not once has he uttered my name, not even by mistake!!I feel frustrated, and I know it's time to make a difficult decision, one I never thought I'd consider.I finish folding and arranging my clothes, zip my backpack closed, and take a deep breath to survey my carefully organized packed belongings.Slipping my snack bag over my shoulder, I sigh. "I can't believe I'm doing this."The door opens, and Keon walks in, his bright smile vanishing as he take
I walk down the stairs at midnight, rubbing my sleepy eyes. I still can't understand why I've been so hungry today. Maybe it's because I know Asael isn't here to finish all the food in the fridge; he's been staying at his penthouse a lot lately.As I enter the kitchen, a soft clatter and rustle gushes, and I immediately pull out my knife from my pocket."Who's there?!" My eyes darts to the fridge, and Jasper slowly emerges from hiding, raising his hands and holding the wrapped leftover lasagna from this morning."Do you always carry that knife with you?" He asks, his eyes dulling slightly.I groan, running my fingers through my hair, and shove my knife back into my pocket. "I get cranky when I don't get enough sleep."Plus, I left my gun upstairs—beneath my pillow."You're here 'cause you're hungry, right?" Jasper's eyebrows shoot up, his innocent expression a thinly veiled ruse. "It's midnight."I scowl. "Shut up and heat up the lasagna."In utter frustration, I fling myself out of t
A sore scream rips from my throat as Rhys's brutal grip sets my being ablaze. The moment he releases my hair, I collapse onto my knees, the cold floor a world away from the inferno raging within me."Bloody hell!" A choked cough escapes my throat as I gasp for air, my lungs burning.Rhys... Rhys is insane.I dare to meet his eyes, their intensity making my blood run cold. His jaw is clenched, his face twisted in a snarl, as if he's savoring my fear. I feel like he's toying with me, weighing his options, and the thought sends a shiver down my spine.He's a far cry from the high school senior who delighted in dumping smoothies on me and sending me on wild goose chases. This is the real him – powerful, commanding, and utterly captivating. And I'm shamelessly turned on."Still staring?" he asks, his voice low and husky, his jaw flexing in a way that makes my heart stutter.I feel a blush rise to my cheeks as I realize I've been transfixed by his face for far too long. My eyes drift down,
I wrap my towel around my head and step out of the room, my stomach growling with hunger. The irresistible aroma of freshly baked waffles wafts through the air, making my mouth water. Deep, rumbling chuckles follow, and I smile, anticipating a warm breakfast.As I make my way downstairs, the sound of gunfire and shouting echoes from the sitting room. I peer inside to find Ethan and a stranger with messy, dirty-blonde hair and piercing green eyes engrossed in a heated video game battle.As I enter the room, they both turn to face me. The stranger's expression is a mix of confusion and curiosity, while Ethan's eyes sparkle with amusement."Hello there, Jasper," he says, waving at me.I feel a nervous flutter in my chest, and my voice cracks as I reply, "H... hi."I approach the table, where a mouth watering spread of waffles, bacon, eggs, and toast is laid out. The delicious scent I'd been following has finally led me to its source.Ethan's grin widens as he asks, "Are you living here n
Tightening my grip on the steering wheel, my eyes drift to the entrance, where Jasper emerges with an uncharacteristically light expression. I'm captivated by the sight of him, my mind wandering to the contrasting expressions he wore last night. The flush on his face, the unshed tears in his eyes as he... My thoughts trail off as Jasper's voice cuts through my reverie. "Are you really taking me to my rehearsals or are you kidnapping me?" he asks, his eyes narrowing as he halts his step, contemplating whether to get into the car... Or not. His grip on the strap of his violin case tightens. I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by the possibility. "Do you want me to kidnap you?" "Maybe," he shrugs, his expression unreadable. I can't believe this guy! As the light wind blows, Jasper's hair stirs, his ponytail slightly disheveled with strands framing his forehead and nearly obscuring his eyes. He's dressed in an all-black ensemble. An oversized shirt, a black hoodie with green dragon
Clicking the lighter in my grip, a spark erupts, spreading a brief, soft warmth on my face. The flame's gentle dance hypnotizes me, but my mind remains a jumble of voices. The chaos of whispers and screams in my head... a relentless, maddening chorus... threatens to consume me. It's a familiar, suffocating feeling. I focus on the sound of the lighter, the soft whoosh of the flame, and the gentle hum of the music drifting up from downstairs. My eyes trails out the window, to the night sky where the stars twinkle like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse. Hesitantly... I search for a glimpse of Rhys, but the darkness reveals nothing. That fucker dropped me off at rehearsals this morning and hasn't shown his face since. The mansion now feels empty and oppressive. Only Luciano, Ethan, and the dirty blonde guy, whose name is Mason Augustus, inhabit its sprawling halls. It's clear they're not losing sleep over Rhys and Asael's whereabouts. I, on the other hand, am wor
"N..No. I can't do this." I break away from the kiss, tearing myself away from him. "Goddammit!"My heart is racing so fast I have to press my hand to it. "You have to stop messing with me, Rhys. If you want me, tell me and I'll stay with you. If you don't want me, I'll leave."Rhys yanks me forward, pressing my body against his as he wraps his arms around my waist, gripping my sweater tightly. I can feel his intensity, his desire to rip it off."Rhys." My body trembles, and I can feel his heart pounding against his chest, like it's trying to break free.I look up at him, his hair obscuring his eyes, but I can see them darkening in the dim light."Rhys," I whisper, my breath catching in my throat. "What do you want from me?"He leans in, his face inches from mine, our lips almost touching. Our breath mingles, and I can feel his heart beating in time with mine."Rhys." Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Bloody hell! I just want to hear him say the words I desperately need to hear.
Riding my bike back home from violin practice, I'm met with a surprise. The mansion compound is packed with cars, and the sound of booming music, cheers, and screams fills the air. I park my bike, exhaustion washing over me as I remove my helmet. "I'm not in a party mood." It's Asael's birthday today, and I hadn't planned on returning to the mansion so late. My mind has been preoccupied with securing a solo spot. I'm so close! I make my way through the crowd, scanning the sea of faces for a glimpse of Rhys, but all I can see is Asael and Luciano dancing together, surrounded by cheering people. Luciano is laughing and spraying them money. I roll my eyes, a grumble escaping my lips. "Rich people." As I step up the stairs and into the hall, I find myself standing in front of Rhys' door. I stare hard at it, feeling the urge to open it, but it's probably locked – and he doesn't want to see me. Maybe he wants to. My phone buzzes in my pocket, breaking the spell. I pull it o
It's Asael's birthday today, and the party is tonight. But I'm not really concerned about the preparations because Asael made it clear he wants to handle everything himself.Right now, I'm at the company, signing documents my dad told me to take care of. I'm exhausted and grumpy, dreading the fact that this will be my life soon.Makar is lounging on the couch, his eyes sealed on his phone. He looks more conflicted than usual. "What's wrong?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.He looks up at me, his eyes wide with surprise, like he didn't expect me to ask. "Well, erm... My father wants me to do something that will prevent a war between us and the Italians.""What?" My phone buzzes, and I glance at the screen to see a message from Dad. [Arrange marriage.]"Well, that's unexpected." I look up at Makar, who forces a weak smile."I'm guessing you know what I'm supposed to do," He rises from the couch, storms out of my office, and slams the door behind him, screaming, "I'm getting married to a fu
I'm returning from the club at 12 pm, not exactly part of my plan, but the unwanted energy I've been receiving lately is pushing me away from this mansion.For an odd reason, I feel like Batman.I head to the kitchen, opening the fridge to find a large bowl of chocolate ice cream. And hell! Do I feel blessed!"Just gotta take this to my room, watch a movie, and ignore that asshole," I grumble to myself as I make my way upstairs, through the hall.But.. Before I know it, I'm standing in front of Rhys' door, staring at it like an obsessed freak.Damn.We had a good thing going at the beach the other night, but of course, from the next day on, he's been giving me that "you ruined my life" look.At first, I didn't want to believe it. But fuck it! We're back to square one."Open sesame," I pull the door handle, and to my surprise, it's unlocked."Oh?" I step into the dark room, and the moonlight illuminates Rhys, who's fast asleep, his chest rising and falling with each gentle breath.He l
Damon takes a drag of his cigarette, his eyes fixed on the bloodied mace clutched in my hand. "Makar had a run-in with the Ravens last night," he mutters. "Seems they've gone to the Italians for help."I gaze at my bloodied hand, a grim smile spreading across my face as my bloodlust begins to subside. "Smart move, crawling under the Italians' feet," I say. "Father's been trying to avoid an all-out war between us."Damon's calculated eyes narrow, studying me intently. I can sense his unspoken questions, his attempts to unravel the complexities of my thoughts and emotions.I sit in the chair, the lifeless body of the Ravens' leader beside me, a gruesome note to the brutality I've unleashed. The Ravens think they can hide behind the Italians. "The war is inevitable now," I growl, my voice low and menacing. "I'm wiping out the Ravens completely. I don't care if they're in hiding. They tried to hurt my family."The words feel like fire in my throat, and I realize, with a sense of unease,
I kick at the sand with my boots, feeling an overwhelming sense of joy in my chest. The wind blows around me, and I feel carefree, like I'm five again. I skip along, laughing and swinging my arms as I gaze out at the ocean waves glinting under the full moonlight.But I'm not excited because of the beach. I'm excited because of the large, tattooed man walking behind me, his admiring gaze fixed on me. I walk backwards, cocking my head to the side as I stare at him."Do you like me, straight boy?" I ask, a playful smile spreading across my face."I hate you," he replies immediately, his expression stern.I shrug nonchalantly, feeling a sense of ease in my stomach. "That's reassuring."I twirl, walking ahead towards the ocean, but Rhys immediately yanks me back. "Nope. It's cold. You're not going in there." His arm wraps tightly around my waist, possessive and warm.I throw my head back to look at his chiseled, gorgeous face. "Well, promise me we'll come to the beach for a swim then."Rhy
"Are you just going to keep staring at him? Go to him, asshole." Luciano says, snatching the cigarette from my lips. I quickly retrieve it, my eyes narrowing warily."I'm... I'm going to do that, but not now," I say, trying to sound nonchalant.Luciano's face falls, his expression a picture of disappointment. "Not while everyone is looking."I'm not sure what comes over me, but I feel a sudden urge to laugh. It's a manic, unhinged sound, and it startles even me. But I quickly compose myself, take a long drag on my cigarette, and blow a stream of smoke directly into Luciano's face, my expression stern."I'm not ashamed or anything like that. I'm just... shy, I think," I admit, trying to downplay my feelings.Luciano's eyes widen in surprise. "You like him!" he exclaims, his voice a bit too loud for comfort.My body's immediate response is panic, and I find myself glancing over at Jasper, who's still engrossed in conversation with Keon. They're both staring at Jasper's phone, probably d
I'm standing at the starting line of The Devil's Den, a 25-mile loop that begins and ends in Venice Beach. As I look out at the route ahead, I can see that it takes riders through the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, past the iconic Santa Monica Pier, and into the winding roads of the Santa Monica Mountains.Fuck! Looking up at the night sky, I sight a faint shooting star, and my chest feels fuzzy and light.I want to win.I really want to win.But Rhys's gray eyes are stuck in my head, distracting me. His voice echoes in my mind. 'Who am I to you?'The host's voice is a distant hum, the crowd's cheers a clamor of static noise. My heart is racing, and all I can hear is the scream of my own adrenaline as I rev up my engine alongside the other riders.The flag drops, and we're off, speeding down the road like a pack of wild animals.Rhys's question echoes in my mind. 'Who am I to you?' But I push it aside, focusing on the road ahead.I zip past the pier, taking sharp turns with precision,
I've never been interested in men. I've never entertained the thought.That was until Luciano came out as gay at fifteen. He'd had a crush on Damon for as long as I could remember.Our families had been close-knit since our parents' school days. My father, Vadim Volkov, head of the Russian mafia, and Luciano's father, head of the Spanish mafia, shared an unbreakable bond and loyalty.Their friendship had blossomed into a lasting alliance, strengthened by the coincidence of their wives giving birth to sons in the same year.Luciani is a few months older than me, born in September, while I'm a December boy.When he didn't win Damon's heart, he set his sights on me at sixteen. He confessed his feelings, and we made a playful bet that he could make me fall for him.We even shared a kiss, but it didn't spark anything romantic between us. We never made a big deal about it, occasionally bringing it up to laugh.I've always identified as straight, drawn to girls. I've had numerous flings, but