Callum POV
“It’s my fault. Everything is my fault,” I admit, my voice cracking. “Yes, there’s a reason I slept with her. No, it wasn’t because I wanted to. It was to keep you safe. Or at least I thought it was. She threatened to tell people from your past, Lilly, to bring them here. I couldn’t let that happen. I thought losing you, if it meant protecting you, was worth the hurt.”My words hang in the silence, and I run my hands through my hair, frustrated and desperate. “Sasha hates me, and for some reason, she hates you too, and I can’t figure out why. You’ve done nothing to her, and yet she’s hell-bent on destroying us both.” I pause, listening, hoping for a response. But the silence stretches on.
Then, finally, her voice comes, soft and trembling, almost a whisper through the door. “You said you’d protect me, Callum, and I was grateful for that. But I didn’t want that.Lilly POVThe apartment feels like a hollow shell without Callum here, and that emptiness wraps around me, chilling me to the bone. It always feels this way when he’s gone. Even though I know I shouldn’t care anymore, I can’t stop the ache in my chest. We were friends before anything else, but even that feels like it’s slipping through my fingers, unreachable now.I sit in silence, torn between two impossible choices. Staying feels suffocating—a daily reminder of the betrayal, the lies, the pain. But leaving? That feels just as dangerous, like stepping out into a storm without shelter. I’m trapped, and every option feels like a risk I’m not ready to take.A quick knock at the door snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts. My heart sinks when I hear his voice. “Lilly, can I come in?” Dante’s tone is calm, steady—too steady.I hesitate but force the words out. “Yes.”The door
Lilly POVCallum picks up a pair of gloves and hands them to me. I slip them on, fumbling slightly, my mind still caught in fragments of the past.“Let me help,” he whispers. His hands brush against mine as he fastens the gloves properly. The touch is brief, impersonal, but it sends a shiver through me nonetheless. For a fleeting second, I want to lean into him, but I force myself to stay still.We move through the basics—stance, balance, how to position my body to generate power. Callum’s voice is calm and steady, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. He demonstrates each move with precision, guiding me when I falter. His hands occasionally adjust my shoulders or reposition my feet, but it’s always clinical, detached.It should feel distant, but instead, it feels like a lifeline—like he’s anchoring me in the only way he can. For now, it’s enough.Callum holds the pads up again, his expr
Callum POVI knew she’d regret trying to sleep with me. It was too soon, too raw, and I could see she was trying to bury everything—her pain, her anger—under physical connection. But what blindsided me, what left me gutted, was her regret for even kissing me. That cut deeper than I ever thought possible.It’s clear—she hates me. She doesn’t even need to say it outright, it’s there in her every movement, in the way her eyes avoid mine like I’m something repulsive, in the hardened edge of her voice when she speaks to me. I’ve destroyed what we had, and there’s no fixing it. Not as lovers, not even as friends.So, I’ve stopped trying.Every time I push, every time I try to explain or apologize, it just hurts her more. I’m not winning her back. I’m just driving the knife deeper. The best I can do now is stay out of her way, keep my distance, and focus on the only thing I have left&m
Callum POV“So what’s the next step?” I ask, desperate for a plan.“I’ve got names,” Dante says, opening his laptop. “Enough to start digging and figure out if any of these people are nearby.”I shake my head, knowing it’s not that simple. “That only works if they’re using their real names, like Brian did. If they’re hiding behind aliases or someone else’s identity, we’re flying blind.”Dante sighs, rubbing his temples. “It’s all I have right now, Callum. And until I find more, I’m implementing additional security measures. I’m assigning a guard to her at all times. If she’s not in the apartment, they’ll be with her.”“And if she refuses?” I counter, the frustration boiling over. “What happens if she leaves and orders them not to follow her? She’s not a prisoner, Dante. She can walk out whenever s
Lilly’s POVDancing is off the table now. Sure, Dante mentioned I could step into Sasha’s role, and maybe I will someday. But right now? I don’t feel ready, not even close. That’s why I decided to head back downstairs and start working again.The reactions were immediate. Shock rippled through the women, and my clients were equally surprised. I gave them all the same line—I’m not sure what I want to do anymore. Until I figure things out, this is where I’ll be. It’s not ideal, but it keeps me moving, keeps me distracted.At least for a while.Down here, the noise and the faces offer a temporary reprieve from my relentless thoughts about Callum and Sasha. But the reprieve is never total. The images she sent—the clips of the video—are burned into my mind. No matter how hard I try, they’re there, like scars I can’t stop tracing.Luna found me spiraling earlier today, sitting in the corner replaying those damn videos over and over again. I don’t even know what I was hoping to find. Some si
Lilly POV“You know what?” Callum snaps, his voice sharp and cutting through the suffocating tension in the car. I press my fingers against my temple, trying to rein in the storm of emotions raging inside me. “I’m trying, Lilly. I love you, and I am fucking trying!”“But it doesn’t change anything!” I hiss, my voice trembling. “It doesn’t erase the images burned into my mind. It doesn’t undo what you did. I can’t forgive you, Callum. I just can’t.”His laugh is cold, bitter, like a slap to the face. “You’re a hypocrite,” he bites out, the venom in his tone making my chest tighten.I whirl around, my glare cutting into him before I shift my gaze back out the window. The neon lights of the club flicker in the distance, signaling my escape from this conversation. The end of this torment. Just a few more moments, and I can put space between us.“You would’ve done the same thing,” he growls, his voice rising, his frustration pouring out. “If the roles were reversed, you know damn well you’
Callum POVWhat the hell have I done? The weight of my words crushes me as they replay in my mind. I compared her sacrifice—what she endured to protect her sister—to me betraying her with Sasha. I thought it would help, that maybe it would give her some kind of understanding, but all it did was drive her further away. I panicked, and now? She hates me even more.Her face, etched with anger and heartbreak, won’t leave my thoughts. The way she screamed, fought against me—it all replays like a nightmare I can’t wake up from. And yet, I know living without her isn’t an option. She’s my anchor, my air, and without her, I’m drowning. One day, she’ll see the truth. One day, when the pain eases, she’ll understand why I did what I did.Leaning forward, I rub my hands down my face, frustration coiling tight in my chest. How could she think I found her repulsive? I can’t see her as anything other than extraordinary. She amazes me in ways she’ll never understand, and I thought she knew that. I th
Callum POVHer skin is soft and warm under my lips as I bite down on her thigh, eliciting a startled yelp. Her eyes snap open, wide with confusion and a flash of something darker—desire. Before she can say a word, my mouth is on her, my tongue gliding along her clit with deliberate, torturous precision. She tastes like heaven, and I lose myself in her, gripping her hips to hold her against me as she writhes.“Stop,” she whimpers, her voice shaky and uncertain, but her body tells a different story. Her hand tangles in my hair, trying to pull me back even as her hips buck forward, grinding against my mouth. The contradiction is intoxicating—her resistance, her surrender, all wrapped into one maddeningly beautiful package.Her nails dig into the back of my hand, the sting grounding me as she moves faster, chasing the edge of pleasure despite her protests. She’s magnificent, a storm of passion and defiance, and I want to drown in her completely.“Callum?” Dante’s voice shatters the moment
“Hey.” I cup his face in my hands, my thumbs brushing over his cheekbones. “You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to carry everyone. We’re okay. I’m okay.”He looks at me, his eyes searching mine, and I can see the walls he usually keeps up start to lower. He doesn’t say anything, just holds me tighter, his fingers splayed against my back like he’s afraid to let go.“You’ve been my everything,” I whisper, my voice catching. “You saved me when I thought I couldn’t be saved. And I’ll never stop loving you for that.”He closes his eyes and leans his forehead against mine. “You’re the reason I keep going,” he murmurs. “You’re everything, firefly. You always have been.”The way he says it, the raw honesty in his voice, makes my throat tighten. I slide my hands down to his shoulders, holding him as close as I can. “I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”For a long moment, we just sit there, holding each other in the middle of the noise and laughter of the party. It’s like the r
Serena POVThe music thumps lightly in the background as I sit on one of the plush couches in the corner of the reception hall, leaning back against the soft cushions. People are milling about, laughing, drinking, swaying to the music under the warm glow of fairy lights. It’s the end of the weekend, the final night of all the chaos and celebrations, and while I should be tired, I’m not. There’s a relaxed energy in the air, a sense of satisfaction that everything went off perfectly.Rich flops down beside me, a glass of something amber in his hand, and he’s grinning like a cat who just stole the cream. He stretches his legs out, looking entirely too pleased with himself, and I can’t help but laugh.“What’s that smug look for?” I nudge his arm.“Smug? Me? I don’t know what you’re talking about, sunshine.” He takes a long sip of his drink, his grin never fading. “I’m just happy. Look around, Dante’s hitched, Callum’s married, and no one set the place on fire. That’s what I call a win.”I
Jace POV“Oh, come on,” Dante presses, still grinning. “You don’t think it’s a little weird how you two always seem to know everything about each other? Like, everything.”Callum chimes in, shaking his head with a smirk. “I mean, it’s impressive, don’t get me wrong. But it’s also kinda suspicious. Like, how close are you two, really?”Rich leans back in his chair, spreading his arms. “What can I say? Jace and I just have that connection. Isn’t that right, Jace?”“Cut it out, Rich,” I snap, though I can feel the heat creeping into my face. It’s not that they’re serious, they’re just fucking with me, but the teasing is relentless.“Relax,” Dante says, raising his hands in mock surrender. “It’s not like we’re judging. We’re just saying… You two are close. Like, really close.”“Nothing wrong with that,” Callum adds, his grin widening. “In fact, it’s kind of sweet. You guys trust each other. You share things. Intimate things, apparently.”“Intimate my ass,” I grumble, grabbing a piece of t
Jace POVI watch her disappear into the bathroom, the sheet trailing behind her. As soon as the door closes, I lean back against the headboard, running a hand through my hair. “What the hell, Rich?” I grumble, turning my glare on him.He’s standing there with a coffee cup in one hand and a mischievous grin that I’m too tired to deal with. “You’re welcome for not barging in earlier,” he says, handing me the cup.I take it, wrapping both hands around it, and let the warmth sink in. “You could have waited a little longer. Or, I don’t know, knocked before coming back in.”“Where’s the fun in that?” He slumps into the armchair in the corner, watching me with that unshakable smirk. “You’re way too easy to mess with in the morning.”I take a long sip of coffee before responding. “I was already hungover. Now I’m just annoyed.”“Annoyed is better than dead, and I like living, so…” Rich trails off, still grinning. “Besides, you wouldn’t kill me. You like having me around too much.”I groan, but
Serena POVI nuzzle closer to Jace, his arm tightening around me as I try to relax again. The warmth of his body against mine is soothing, and for a moment, I think I might actually drift off. But then Rich lets out a soft mumble from the floor, his words indistinct but definitely audible.“Goddammit,” Jace mutters under his breath. “I knew it. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep with him here.”I tug him closer, resting my head on his chest. “Shh,” I whisper, pressing a soft kiss to his jaw. “He’s not that loud. Just try.”He sighs, his hand running down my back as if to settle me. “Firefly…”“Try,” I repeat, pulling him in even tighter.He doesn’t reply, but I can feel him relax, his breathing evening out against mine. After a moment, the room quiets again, except for Rich’s occasional muttering. But Jace doesn’t say anything else. Instead, he rests his chin against my head, holding me close. His steady breathing finally lulls me back into sleep, and soon I fall asleep again.Waking
Serena POVI’m maybe a little drunk, but not that drunk. Hugging Luna and Lilly, I walk out and head to the place I’m staying with Jace. As soon as I step inside, I throw myself onto the bed.Not long after, the door opens and Jace walks in. He gives me a lopsided smile and makes his way over, collapsing onto the bed beside me.I kiss him softly, smiling. “Have fun?”He mumbles something unintelligible, which just makes me laugh.“So much for not drinking much,” I say, nudging him with a smirk.“Blame Dante,” he groans. “He gave me the shots.”I raise a brow. “Dante? Wait, so this wasn’t Rich? I’m shocked. Did he actually behave for a change?”Jace rubs his face and lets out a long groan. “He’s probably more sober than I am. Don’t ask me how.”Yep, he’s wasted. Shaking my head, I climb off the bed and help him sit up so I can get his clothes off. His smile grows wider as I tug at his shirt.“No,” I warn, “don’t get any ideas. You need sleep or you’ll look like death at the wedding tom
Serena POVI can’t help but laugh, shaking my head as I think about it. I never thought a book like this would make me feel, well, anything beyond shock. “But still,” I say, flipping back to the scene where Dominic starts breaking down, “this guy spent his whole life preaching about purity. Then the devil shows up, and suddenly it’s all out the window.”“That’s the beauty of it,” Lilly says. “It’s not sudden at all. The cracks were always there. The devil just gave him a push.”The more we talk, the more I find myself leaning in. The details they’re pointing out, the way they’re pulling apart each character’s motives, I can’t look away. Even when the conversation shifts to the dark, twisted scenes I would’ve written off before, I’m still right there, asking questions, offering my own thoughts. I don’t even notice how much time has passed until Luna mentions needing another drink.By then, I’m not just listening. I’m in it, flipping pages, debating over whether Dominic had any real cho
Serena POVI walk into the room and my eyes immediately land on Lilly and Luna. We’ve done a few video calls together before, but seeing them in person is different. Luna is the first to react, springing up from her seat and coming straight over to pull me into a hug.Luna introduces me to the others, pointing out a few names as we walk further into the room. A small group of women sit in a circle of couches and chairs, chatting quietly. They each give a friendly wave or nod, and I offer a polite smile in return. Luna explains who’s who, though I’m not sure I’ll remember everyone’s name by the end of the night.Meanwhile, Lilly is still in her chair, completely absorbed in a book. She hasn’t even glanced up since I came in. It’s not until Luna calls her name that she finally looks over. Her face lights up when she sees me, and she closes her book carefully before coming over and giving me a warm hug.“Finally! You’re here,” Lilly says with a grin. “We were starting to think you’d gott
Jace POVRich leans back, shaking his head. “Man, it’s crazy to think how far we’ve come. From that cramped, shitty apartment to this. And through it all, you’ve still managed to put up with my crap.”“Barely,” I say with a smirk. “You’re not exactly easy to deal with, you know.”Rich grins, leaning forward again, resting his chin on his hand. “Yeah, but you’d be bored without me. Admit it.”I roll my eyes, but I’m laughing now. “Fine. Maybe a little.”“Damn right,” he says with a wink.Rich’s grin softens just slightly as he swirls the remaining whiskey in his glass. “You know, Jace,” he says, his voice lower now, almost contemplative. “You’ve always been the steady one. Even when we were broke, when everything felt like it was falling apart. You never lost your cool.”I huff out a laugh. “You sure about that? Because I remember a few nights where I definitely lost my shit. Especially when you kept betting more than we had.”“But you always kept us out of real trouble,” Rich counters