Willow's POVI sat in the lounge, my eyes glued to the case that my brass father had given me, which was on the coffee table in front of me. I'd been sitting here staring at it since I'd returned from my meeting with him. I have never liked guns. I hate the idea of something that can take away a life so easily, but with what I was getting myself into, a gun was something I was going to most likely have to use one day. The door creaked open, and I heard the familiar sound of Dillon's footsteps. He was like a shadow, always nearby, always watching. But today, I couldn't bring myself to acknowledge him. My eyes were glued to the case in front of me, my mind a tangled mess of thoughts I couldn't quite untangle."Is everything okay?" Dillon's voice broke through my trance, soft yet filled with concern.I finally looked up, meeting his worried eyes. "Everything's fine," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper. I shifted my gaze back to the case, the lie hanging in the air between us. But I
Willow's POVThe sun peeked through the curtains, its gentle rays coaxing me awake. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of last night's chaotic dreams. The weight of recent events pressed on me, a constant reminder of the confusing emotions swirling within me. With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself out of bed, padding down the hallway toward the kitchen.As I rounded the corner, the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted me. Dillon stood by the counter, his back to me, pouring steaming liquid into two mugs. The sight of him brought an unexpected warmth to my chest—a feeling of comfort amidst the turmoil."Good morning," I called out, trying to keep my voice steady. Dillon turned, a warm smile spreading across his face as he handed me a mug. "Morning, Willow. How'd you sleep?" His tone was casual, but I could see the concern in his eyes.I took a sip of the coffee, the bitterness grounding me momentarily. I couldn't tell him the truth—that my night had been filled
Brax's POVThe sound of the front door creaking open pulled me from my thoughts. The light-hearted banter between Kasey and me died down as I turned to see Dillon stepping into the room. His face was a mask of forced nonchalance, but I knew him too well. Something was off.Then she appeared.Willow stood in the doorway, her eyes searching the room before locking onto mine. My heart clenched, and an almost imperceptible distance seemed to close between us. Everyone around us faded into the background, and it was just her and me, caught in a moment suspended in time.I took a step forward, my voice caught in my throat. "Willow," I managed to choke out, the word heavy with all the emotions I'd bottled up.She hesitated for a second, her eyes flicking briefly to Dillon, and then back to me. "Hi, Brax," she replied softly, her voice a fragile thread that held so much unspoken weight.I wanted to run to her, to hold her close and reassure her that everything would be okay. But I could see
Willow's POVI let out a shaky breath as I pulled away from Brax. My lips still tingled from the touch of his, but a storm of emotions swirled inside me. Would he still feel the same way if he knew everything? There was so much he didn't understand, so much I was keeping from him. Yet, here we were, each lost in our own thoughts, our bodies warming the cold space between us.The silence stretched, and I could feel the need to break it, to spill everything. But the words wouldn't come. Instead, I focused on the small, comforting circle of warmth his hands created around mine. "Brax," I began, unsure of how to continue. His name felt heavy on my tongue as if it carried all the fears I couldn't voice. "Things are... complicated."He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine. "Willow, whatever it is, we can figure it out together."I wanted so desperately to believe him. The strength in his eyes mirrored a promise, one of battling whatever darkness lay ahead. I knew he meant it, but
Willows povSteve's footsteps eventually faded away, leaving behind an oppressive silence. My breath came in ragged gasps, the adrenaline surging through my veins making my hands tremble. I pressed my palm against the throbbing cheek, willing myself to regain composure. If I faltered now, everything I had worked for would be in vain.I glanced at the mansion, its intimidating silhouette casting long shadows that seemed to stretch and cling to every corner of my existence. In the fading light, it looked more like a fortress of grief rather than a home. But it was still my battlefield, and I was ready to fight.Turning back to my little flat, I picked up my backpack and stepped inside, closing the door softly behind me. The small apartment felt stifling, but it offered a temporary reprieve from Steve’s wrath. Walking to the tiny bathroom, I turned on the tap, letting the cold water run over my hand before splashing it onto my face. The icy sting helped clear my mind, momentarily washing
Willow's POVThe morning arrived, and the tension in my muscles reminded me of my mission. I stretched my sore limbs and glanced out the window. Steve’s house was a fortress from which I would extract his darkest secrets. I hadn't slept well, and my mind was filled with plans and counter plans. I needed to be careful. One wrong move could cost me everything.Approaching the window cautiously, I peered outside to watch the routine unfold. My eyes followed Nat as she stepped out and got into her car. I was learning Steve's schedules, routines, and who came and went from the mansion. Nat drove away, unaware of the web I was weaving around her family. About an hour later, I saw Steve’s men show up. They were his enforcers, the ones who executed his orders without question. They lingered for a bit before they all, including Steve, got into their cars and left. It was only noon.“This is my chance,” I whispered to myself. I glanced at the clock, knowing my mother would be down for her midda
Willows povThere she stood, my mother, a glass of red wine clutched in her hand. Her eyes narrowed, scrutinising me with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.I swallowed hard, my mind racing to find an excuse. "I was just... looking for some paper for a school assignment." My voice sounded weak, even to my own ears. My heart pounded so loudly that I was sure she could hear it.She took a step closer, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Really, Willow? You think I’m that stupid?" Her tone was mocking, dripping with hostility.I tried to maintain a calm facade. "Yes, Mum. I... I just needed some paper." I moved to walk past her, hoping to escape her grip, but her hand shot out, grabbing my arm and stopping me."I know you're lying. Now tell me the truth." Her grip tightened, nails digging into my skin. Her face loomed close, the smell of alcohol heavy on her breath."Let go of me and mind your own business," I shot back, the fear in my voice replaced with defiance.Her eyes widened fo
Brax's POV I stared at Willow's text, a mixture of relief and trepidation flooding through me. She had agreed to come to the party, and that meant I had a chance to make things right. I couldn't screw this up. Pulling myself together, I decided to head out and make sure everything would be perfect for tonight. I hopped into my car, my mind racing with thoughts of how to apologise, how to explain my anger, how to reassure her that she could trust me. Driving through the city, I stopped by a florist and grabbed a bouquet of her favourite flowers—white lilies. As I headed to a nearby store, I picked up a new suit, something sharp enough to impress yet simple enough to take a backseat to her beauty. My heart was pounding as I arrived back home, laying out the flowers and suit in my room. Tonight had to be perfect; it just had to be. As the clock ticked closer to seven, I found myself fidgeting more, checking and rechecking the suit I had laid out. My phone buzzed once more, and I gra
Willow’s POVTwo weeks had passed since that horrible night, and yet, standing on the steps of the courthouse, it felt like a lifetime. The sun was high, casting long shadows across the stone pavement, but I couldn’t feel its warmth. Instead, I felt a coldness inside me, a hollow space that nothing could fill.The trial had been long and draining. Steve had been convicted, but the moment they started discussing how long he would be sentenced to, I couldn’t bear it anymore. It didn’t matter. Not after everything he had done. No matter how many years they gave him, it would never be enough. Not for the hell he had put me, my friends, and my family through. Not for the life he had stolen from me.I didn’t feel free, but I felt at peace. For the first time in so long, I felt like I could breathe without that constant weight hanging over me. I was standing here on the threshold of something new, something better, and it wasn’t because of the verdict. It was because I had the people I loved
Willow’s POVPanic ripped through me as Steve fired the gun. The noise was deafening, but the silence that followed was even worse. Dillion and Kasey were screaming Brax’s name. Nat was crying out in terror. My heart thudded painfully in my chest, each beat louder than the last. This was all my fault.If I had stayed silent and suffered in the dark like I always had—then maybe none of this would be happening. Maybe my friends wouldn’t be here, maybe Brax wouldn’t be lying on the floor, bloodied and beaten, and maybe, just maybe, Steve wouldn’t have that sick, satisfied look in his eyes.But here we were. And it was all because of me.Steve’s voice broke through the chaos, booming with authority, demanding silence. “Shut up!” he yelled, his voice cold and commanding. The room went still, but the tension was thicker than ever.My head was spinning. I could feel the blood dripping down my face, my body screaming in pain, but there was something more important now. I could see the gun I h
Brax’s POVThe weight of the gun in my hand felt unbearable, like a thousand pounds pressing against my chest. The cold steel had been my only comfort, my only chance of ending this nightmare. But now, standing in front of Steve, with the barrel aimed at his chest, my thoughts were no longer about me. They were about Willow, about Nat, about Dillion and Kasey. My family.And then Kasey’s voice shattered the moment.“Brax, drop the gun!”I froze. The world seemed to stop around me, the silence deafening. I looked around at everyone, my eyes scanning their faces—Dillion, Kasey, Nat—each of them terrified, caught in a trap they never asked for. The tension in the room was unbearable, my heart thudding in my chest.I had no choice. I couldn’t fight him, not like this.I lowered the gun, the weight of the decision sinking into me like a knife. The instant I did, Steve waved his hand dismissively, his men rushing in, seizing me by the arms with brutal force.Before I could even react, the b
Brax’s POVI floored the gas pedal, the engine roaring as I sped toward Steve’s house. My mind was a haze of dread and fury. I had to get to Willow. I had to stop her from doing something she might regret, something that would end with her paying the ultimate price.The further I drove, the more my thoughts swirled. I could see her—standing there with the gun, determined to end it all. I could hear her voice in my head, telling me she was done running, telling me that when Steve came for her, she was going to fight him, no matter the cost.I wasn’t ready for this.The headlights of my car illuminated the dark road ahead as I rounded the final corner, the house coming into view. The familiar sight of Steve’s twisted domain loomed in front of me, and my stomach clenched.I slammed on the brakes and threw the car into park. Without thinking, I threw open the door and sprinted toward the front door.The house felt silent as I stepped inside, each footfall heavy with the weight of the fear
Willow’s POVThe gun in my hand felt both heavy and light at the same time, like an anchor and a weapon. My fingers wrapped around it, white-knuckled and shaking, but I didn’t care. I was standing outside Steve’s house, and everything inside me screamed to run, to turn away, to go back to the others. But there was no turning back now. I had made my choice.I stood still for a moment, staring at the house, the place where everything had gone wrong. The house that had become my prison. The house that had watched me become something I wasn’t, something I never wanted to be. But I had done it for survival. I had done it to get out. Now, I was here, facing the monster who had dragged me into this life.Steve.I took a deep breath, steadying myself as much as I could. I wasn’t sure if I was afraid of him, of what I had become, or of what I was about to do. But one thing was clear—I had to do this. I couldn’t let him control me any longer. I couldn’t let him win.With trembling hands, I step
Brax’s POVThe room felt thick with tension. Everyone sat around the table, their faces etched with worry, eyes darting back and forth between each other as the situation continued to grow more desperate. We were supposed to be figuring out how to protect Willow and how to deal with Steve, but all I could do was focus on the empty space beside me.Willow hadn’t said much before she went to the bathroom. She was quiet like she was trying to process everything that had happened, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.David was talking about reaching out to contacts, trying to pull more people in to help, but his words were fading into the background. I couldn’t focus on anything but the space where Willow should have been.I glanced around the room again. Dillion and Kasey were strategising, speaking in low, hurried tones. Nat sat nearby, fidgeting, her eyes constantly scanning the room, looking for any sign of danger. We were all trying to find a solution, trying to
Willow’s POVThe living room felt suffocating, the walls closing in with every passing minute. I couldn’t shake the image of the head; it still burned into my mind. It was like I could still see the blood on the walls, the lifeless stare, the words written in crimson. I see you. The words echoed in my head relentlessly, and every time I tried to push it away, it came rushing back, louder than before.The others sat around the room, silent, tense. No one spoke, each of us trapped in our thoughts, none of us knowing what came next. I could feel their eyes on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet their gazes. I couldn’t.And then, after what felt like an eternity, there was a knock on the door. My heart skipped a beat, and I jolted slightly in my seat. Dillion stood up immediately and went to open it, ushering David into the house. Without a word, Dillion led him straight to the bathroom.I just sat there, staring at the gun on the table in front of me. I had a hundred different though
Willow’s POVKasey slammed into the bathroom door, desperation in his every movement. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body shaking with panic. Every ounce of fear in him was for Nat, but as the door burst open, my eyes were drawn to the horror inside.There, standing frozen in the doorway, was Nat, her hands clutched over her mouth as her body trembled uncontrollably. Her wide, terrified eyes locked onto something in the room.I followed her gaze, and my stomach dropped. On the toilet seat, casually placed in a way that shouldn’t have been, was a head. The bathroom stunk of vomit and blood, the smell almost too much to bear. But what hit me the hardest was what was written on the wall in blood: I see you.The panic seized me, choking the breath from my lungs. He knows where we are. We thought we were safe here, but we were wrong. We were never safe, not with him.Dillion’s voice broke through the horror, frantic. “Kasey, get Nat out of here!”Kasey didn’t hesitate. He rushed forw
Willow’s POVMy fingers gripped the doorknob, the cold metal biting into my skin. My heart raced as I took a steadying breath, trying to push aside the panic that threatened to suffocate me. The gun was heavy in my hands, the weight of it a reminder of everything I was about to do—or perhaps everything I hoped would happen.I knew how stupid this was. I knew that Steve would shoot me before I even had a chance to pull the trigger. But in some twisted, dark part of me, I wondered if that was what I wanted. If I was dead, then maybe, just maybe, I could be free of all this. Free of the fear. Free of the constant chase. Free of Steve and his hold over me.But that was a lie, wasn’t it? No matter how much I told myself I was ready for the end, a part of me still wanted to fight. Wanted to survive.I took a deep breath and pushed the door open, my hand steady on the gun. I didn’t know what was waiting for me on the other side, but I was ready.But then my vision blurred, and my heart skipp