Dante’s POV: I lean back for a moment, feeling her weight against my chest, her body limp in my arms. I loosen the rope slowly, careful not to wake her. As the last loop comes free, her body collapses, and I catch her before she hits the ground. This wasn’t the fucking plan. She’s passed out in the middle of nowhere, and she picked the worst goddamn place to pull this off. I lower her onto the dirt, gently laying her down. My mind is racing, but I try to focus. I search the ground for my clothes, pulling on my trousers and shoes first. My shirt and jacket are tossed somewhere, along with hers, so I grab them both. Glancing back at her, I shake my head. She’s shit at this game—running in circles, letting my voice pull her in like she always does. Walking back over, I peer down at her. She’s a mess—we’re a fucking mess. I’m not even sure how I’m going to get her back without drawing attention, but I’ll figure it out. I always do. I crouch down and wrap my shirt around her waist, t
Dante POVOnce inside, I sit on the bed and begin untying her. I lay her on the bed and begin to pull off my shirt that I’d wrapped around her waist, then the jacket, tossing them aside. She doesn’t stir, her breathing soft and even, still deep in sleep. But her appearance is a mess—beyond a mess. Luna lies sprawled out on the bed, her wild hair tangled and full of leaves, twigs sticking out in every direction like she just crawled through the underbrush. Dirt and mud streak across her body, smeared over her arms and legs. Scratches crisscross her skin, some shallow, some deeper, a few of them oozing faint lines of blood. Her knees and elbows are scraped raw, covered in a mix of mud and grime from the forest floor. There’s even a small cut on her cheek, just below her eye, and dried blood trails down from it. She looks like she’s been through a warzone, her once pale skin now smeared with the evidence of the night’s chase. Her clothes—or what’s left of them—are torn and ragged, bare
Dante POVJustin laughs through the pain, his voice a rasping croak now. “It doesn’t matter, Dante. Brian’s coming for her. For Luna. There’s nothing you can do to stop him. He’s going to take her, just like he took all the others.” Those words rip through me like a storm. I glance at Callum, and I can see the same cold determination in his eyes. We have to make sure. There can’t be anything left unsaid. We start again. This time, it’s more brutal, more savage. Callum and I take turns breaking him down, each hit, each twist of the knife, drawing more from him. We don’t stop until Justin is a broken, bloodied mess, barely clinging to life. Finally, there’s nothing left. He’s told us everything—about Brian, about the women, about Luna. And when I’m sure, when I know there’s no more lies, I step forward one last time. I grab Justin by the hair, yanking his head back. His eyes are glassy, his body limp, but there’s still a flicker of fear in his gaze. He knows this is it. “You should
Luna POV We stand in silence, carefully picking out the twigs, leaves, and dirt from each other’s hair. Once we’ve gotten rid of everything—or at least what we can see—Dante pulls me into the shower. I watch the water as it runs down our bodies, the color shifting from clear to a muddy mix of blood and grime. The sight reminds me of the chaos we’ve just gone through. My whole body aches, every muscle reminding me of the intensity of the night. Yet, despite the pain, a small smile pulls at my lips. I wasn’t sure what would happen when I ran—I just wanted him to chase me, to claim me. I knew he would. It became more than that, though—like a game of cat and mouse, the thrill of fight or flight surging through both of us. By the end, I was spent, too exhausted to even keep my eyes open. Now, as Dante works the shampoo into my hair, a quiet moan slips from my lips. His fingers move with purpose, massaging my scalp, but his eyes—those hungry, intense eyes—stay locked on my body. The way
Luna POVBefore I can even process the idea of roaming freely, I glance at Dante and let a teasing grin tug at my lips. ”What if I want them to touch me?" I ask, biting my lip, pushing at his boundaries, testing him. His hand is around my neck in an instant, pulling me close, his grip firm but not painful. His gaze is sharp, intense. “Then I’ll make it fucking happen. Don’t test me.” His growl sends a thrill through my body, and I shiver, nodding under his hold. Leaning forward, I press my lips to his, my whisper soft. “I’m joking.” I would never let anyone else touch me. That’s a line I won’t cross, not with anyone else. He knows it too. With a gentle push, he lets me go, his intensity still palpable in the air. He shoves the plate of food toward me. I begin to eat. But I can feel the weight of what’s between us—the conversation about Justin that lingers in the back of my mind. “So, about Justin,” Dante begins, but I raise my hand, stopping him. “Wait. I need to tell you somethi
Luna POVI don’t bother changing out of my chemise, rushing to the door, but Dante stops me, handing me my bag. “Call her,” he says, his voice calm but commanding. “Will she answer if she's working?” I don’t know. I start dialing her number, my hands trembling as I wait. No answer. I try again. Still nothing. “She’s not answering,” I whisper, panic creeping back in. Dante guides me into the car, and I keep trying, over and over, but still, there’s no response. “Stay in the car. This is too public,” he warns, stepping out. I try the doors, but they’re locked. He locked me in the fucking car. Minutes later, he returns, his face grim. “She’s not at work,” he says. “We’re heading to her apartment. Give me the keys.” I grip the keys tightly, unwilling to let him go in alone. “No,” I snap. “You’re not going in there and scaring her!” He sighs, reaching for the keys. I fight back, kicking at him, determined to go with him. “You’re going to get hurt,” he warns, his voice sharp. “Just g
Dante POV Luna lies curled up on the bed, sobbing into little Bear’s fur, clutching the dog like it’s the only thing holding her together. I don’t want to leave her. Everything in me screams to stay, to be by her side, but Lucy’s murder changes everything. The fact that they killed Lucy means they’re closer than I thought. Not checking, not acting, would put Luna in even more danger. After Justin’s betrayal, how do I know there aren’t others here working against me too? Not checking is essentially waiting around for them to attack. I sigh, walking around the bed and kneeling next to her, so I can see her face. “Luna,” I say softly, brushing a strand of hair from her tear-streaked cheek, “I need to do something. I can’t just sit here and wait, not when there’s a threat this close.” My voice is calm, but underneath it, my urgency leaks through. “Do you want me to get Lilly for you?” I know how close she and Lilly have gotten. There’s something about the two of them that clicks, and
Dante POVSasha’s eyes flare with frustration. ”So while she stays, and you continue to obsess over her, what? We just keep working with no real leadership? Just running at risk?” I glare at her. “Risk? Are you joking? Name one fucking time you’ve been at risk, Sasha! Once! Tell me when you’ve been in danger here. The guys are still here, watching over everything like they always do.” “That’s not the point!” she shouts, her frustration palpable. “People have noticed, Dante. They know you’re distracted. They know your mind is somewhere else. You’re not as untouchable as you think. Anyone could make a move now because they see you’re occupied. You’re vulnerable. Jamie’s right—you need to stop this obsession before it destroys everything you’ve built.” My patience snaps. I slam my hands down on the desk, standing up. ”Luna is not an obsession,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous. She’s more than that. She’s a fucking addiction. She’s part of me, fused into my very being. There’s no s
Callum 2 years earlierThe phone call ends, and I shove the last of my belongings into a battered duffel bag. There’s not much to pack; I’ve been living out of this bag for years, trying to outrun the weight of my past. But nothing makes a difference, not here. Not anywhere. This place was supposed to be a fresh start, but it’s as hollow as every other attempt. Maybe these new clubs will be different. Maybe this will be the answer.For over fifteen years, I’ve been trying to find a way to fix the fucked-up situation my mother and sister were trapped in. To help women who’ve been dragged through the same hell. And finally, I think I’ve found it—or at least the beginning of it.The streets are quiet as I head toward the train station, my boots scuffing against the pavement. The early hour cloaks the world in a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional hum of a distant car. It’s better this way. I need the quiet to figure out my next move. This guy—Dante—is a mystery. All I know is th
Lilly - 4 Years EarlierAndrew leans back in the driver’s seat, his cold eyes cutting through me like a knife. He nods toward the dark, narrow alleyway ahead, a place that reeks of danger and despair. I hesitate, gripping the edge of the car seat as though it might save me. His glare sharpens, slicing through my resolve like glass shattering against stone.“You can run,” he says, his voice dripping with venomous mockery. “Go ahead.” A twisted grin spreads across his face. “Try it. I won’t even chase you.”His finger brushes against my cheek, slow and deliberate, sending bile surging up my throat. I flinch, my breath hitching, but I can’t move. His presence is suffocating, every word laced with malice, every touch a violation.“You say that, but…” My voice cracks, the words dying in my throat.“But your little sister would make the perfect replacement, wouldn’t she?” His voice drops to a whisper, each word coiling around me like a noose. “She’s got that fiery red hair, just like you.”
This is the start of Lilly and Callum's storyCallum - 18 Years OldWaking up feels like clawing my way out of a grave. My body is leaden, pinned to the sagging mattress by the weight of something I can’t name. The air reeks of sweat, stale smoke, and something sour—vomit maybe, or the leftovers of another night wasted in this filthy room. Everything around me is a distorted blur, like looking through cracked glass. The dim light from the cracked blinds barely cuts through the haze, illuminating the chaos I’ve surrounded myself with—empty bottles, burned foil, crumpled syringes, and piles of clothes that haven’t seen a wash in weeks.This time, it’s different. I can feel it in my bones, in the way my heart races and my skin crawls as if there are a thousand invisible insects burrowing under my flesh. I’ve woken up after bad trips before—dozens of times, maybe hundreds. Every time, I’ve brushed myself off, forced my way through the fog, and found my way back to the poison that put me t
Luna POVI toss the pregnancy test down, feeling a wave of relief, but something still gnaws at me. It doesn’t feel real. I pace the room like a madwoman, while Lilly sits there, laughing like this is all some comedy show.“You know it’s over 99% accurate, right? Not 100%” she says, smirking. “Well, in real life it’s more like 92% because, let’s face it, most people don’t know how to use them properly.”I shoot her a death glare. “I take my pill at the exact same time every damn day!” I throw my hands up, and she only laughs harder, clearly entertained by my spiral.“Maybe it’s just wedding stress making you late?” she shrugs, but I can’t buy that. I’ve been way more stressed than this before and my period never played hide and seek like this.“It said ‘not pregnant,’ Luna. Why are you still on this rampage?” she teases, eyes sparkling with amusement.“Until I see actual blood, I will remain on this rampage!” I shout, pacing even faster.Lilly leans back, laughing. “So I take it you d
Dante POVI reach out and gently tilt her chin up so she’s looking directly at me. “Why do you think I haven’t brought up anal?” I ask, my voice soft but firm. “I saw how your body tensed when Justin casually mentioned it once. I knew immediately it was a hard limit for you.”Her cheeks flush, and I laugh. “Am I wrong?” I ask, though I already know the answer.She looks around, embarrassed, and shakes her head.“I also noticed you skip those parts in your books—the ones with anal scenes. You couldn’t even read about it without discomfort.” I grin, feeling a little self-conscious about how deeply I’ve studied her, but it’s important she knows. “And when you say ‘no’ or ‘stop’ but you don’t really mean it, your lip curls up, just a little. You try to hide it, but you fail every time. It’s a dead giveaway.”She rolls her eyes, laughing. “Okay, so you know my body better than I do.”“Exactly. And you really need to stop smirking when you’re being a brat,” I tease, winking at her.“It’s ha
Dante POVBut I’m not done. There’s more—worse. “Luna,” I say, pausing to brace myself for what I know is going to break her. “Lucy… she wasn’t your sister. She wasn’t even your mother’s child. She was kidnapped as a baby and brought into Brian’s world.”The color drains from Luna’s face, her eyes widening in disbelief. “No,” she breathes, shaking her head. “No, I remember my mom was pregnant. I remember her. I remember the baby. They called her Abigail... Abi.”I close my eyes for a moment, hating what I have to say next. “That baby, Abigail, died, Luna. There are records to prove it. You weren’t born in a hospital, so you were never officially registered, but Abigail was. She had complications during birth so they had to go to hospital. When she died a few weeks later, Brian knew it would cause an investigation. That’s when he took someone else’s baby—Lucy—and raised her as Abigail.”Her face contorts with pain as the truth sinks in. Her eyes dart around the room like she’s searchin
Dante’s POVI reach over, grabbing the book from the table and handing it to her. “Page 231, right? That’s where you left off,” I say, smiling down at her. She gets comfortable, snuggling into my lap as she flips open to the page. A small, exaggerated yawn escapes her lips before she peers up at me with a playful grin.“Read to me,” she says, her eyes sparkling with that mischievous glint I’ve come to love.I sigh softly, knowing I can’t resist her when she asks like that. Nodding, I start reading aloud, the words flowing easily. She holds the book steady while I keep one hand possessively cupping her breast, the other resting between her thighs, teasing her gently. I can feel her pulse quicken under my touch, her hips subtly shifting, seeking more friction.I want to stay like this—wrapped up in her warmth, feeling her respond to me—but there’s too much unsaid between us. As much as I crave this moment, I know we can’t avoid the conversation any longer. There’s something bigger I nee
Luna POVI walk over to the shelves, scanning the titles, my fingers running over the spines of the books. There are so many—books I’ve been meaning to read, some of my favorites, and even a few I hadn’t gotten around to buying yet. I pick up one of the newer books and turn to him. “How did you even know which ones to get?” Dante leans against the doorframe, smirking. “I pay attention to what you read. Plus, I asked a few people for recommendations. Lilly gave Callum a whole list of books.” I shake my head, still in awe. “You’re unbelievable.” “And you’re worth it,” he replies, his voice low, but the sincerity in it makes my heart skip a beat. Stepping closer to him, I place the book back on the shelf and close the distance between us. “You know,” I say, resting my hands on his chest, “this space might be perfect, but it’s still missing one thing.” He arches an eyebrow, playing along. “Oh? And what’s that?” “You,” I whisper, rising on my toes to press a soft kiss to his lips.
Luna POVI can’t help but jump up, rushing over to scoop up Little Bear from Callum’s arms. I plop back onto the bed, cuddling the puppy. “Erm… I’m going to walk back out and come in again. Let’s try that welcome one more time,” Dante grumbles, walking out, which makes me burst into laughter. He walks back in, and I shoot him a confused look just to mess with him. “Unbelievable. The damn puppy gets a better welcome than I do,” he mutters, and everyone laughs. I move quickly, planting a kiss on his lips. “I was joking,” I say with a grin. “No, you weren’t. You ran for the puppy, not me,” he grumbles. “I’ve seen you more recently than the puppy,” I tease, and he can’t help but nod, giving in. “Okay, we need to talk,” Dante says, taking a seat beside Callum, who’s settled down as well. I glance between them nervously. “Whatever I did, I was drunk,” I joke, raising my hands in mock defense. Lilly, catching on, joins in, laughing. “Yeah, same. I was drunk too.” “Relax, you’re not i