Luna’s POV The elevator doors slide open, and Dante steps out with that confident stride, but I stay rooted to the spot, my arms crossed defiantly. I don’t care if I look like a stubborn brat. I am not moving. The thought of walking out there, accepting any part of this twisted reality, makes my stomach twist. It feels like giving in—like agreeing that everything I’ve seen is normal, when it’s anything but. Dante turns to face me, eyebrow raised, the patience in his expression thinning, but I just stare right back. He sighs, long and heavy, before stepping back into the elevator. His arm wraps around my waist, and before I can react, he lifts me clean off the floor. I thrash, my legs kicking at him wildly, fists flailing like a cat being dunked in water. “I can walk!” I yell, aiming a half-hearted kick at his chest, but it’s useless. He doesn’t even flinch. “I’m perfectly aware of that,” he says, voice cold and calm, like he’s merely remarking on the weather. “But I don’t care. If
Dante’s POV I watch her, waiting for her to crack, for her to let something—anything—slip past the walls she’s so carefully built. Luna doesn’t let anyone in, not really. Sure, there’s Lucy, but even that feels guarded. Justin was always on the outside of those walls, and now I can see her fighting to keep me there too. This battle, her resistance, the biting words—it’s her defense. It’s her way of pushing me away, keeping me out of the place where she’s most vulnerable. But I see it. I see the truth she’s afraid to face. She knows that if she lets me in, if she stops fighting me and lets down those walls, she won’t be able to use the excuse of mistrust. She won’t be able to shove me out. She’ll have to face the fact that she’s not alone in her darkness anymore. And that terrifies her. All I want is to walk beside her through that darkness. I want to prove to her that there’s more than just hiding, that opening up isn’t a death sentence. But she’s making this harder than I imagined
Dante POVAs I reach her side, I unfasten the restraints around her wrists, her eyes meeting mine with a teasing pout. “What’s with the face?” I chuckle, loosening the last strap. “You promised you’d punish me,” she says, her voice low and sultry. “I was looking forward to it.” If I wasn’t already hard, I would be now. “Later,” I whisper in her ear, “when we’re alone.” Her pout deepens. “But I wanted everyone to see…” “You’re crazy, little deer,” I laugh, unstrapping the last of her bindings and hoisting her up. “Are you going to fight me?” I smirk, then shake my head. “Never mind, don’t answer that.” As expected, she squirms against me, and I slap her ass with a smirk. “I’m carrying you, and you don’t get a choice in the matter.” I lean forward, biting her ass lightly. “By the way, what’s with the outfit?” I had meant to ask her earlier, but she’s excellent at being a distraction. “I was planning on going to work, but you kidnapped me for a tour, so I guess I’ll head there af
Dante POVAs I push open another door, her body stiffens, eyes widening in shock. The room we step into is like an upscale club, but far more decadent. Podium cages line the space, each one holding a man or woman, completely nude, surrounded by an array of sex toys. Some women and men stand on small platforms, others are sprawled luxuriously on velvet couches, their bodies on display. Some are dancing, their movements slow and hypnotic, while others are interacting with the patrons, the air thick with lust and abandon. “This is the main stage area,” I whisper, watching Luna’s eyes dart between the cages and the figures moving within them. There’s a mixture of discomfort and something else playing across her face as she takes in the scene. “People come here to watch, to choose, or sometimes just to enjoy the atmosphere. It’s… well, it’s whatever they want it to be.” She doesn’t respond, doesn’t say a word—just stares, lips slightly parted, her gaze fixed on the figures moving inside
Dante’s POV I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t. My mind kept circling back to that room, replaying every second, trying to make sense of it. What was it that triggered her? Every aspect of that room, every piece of it—she’s seen before, in one way or another. And yet, something about it set her off. She didn’t seem phased by the other scenes, so why that room? The thought has gnawed at me all morning. It’s past midday now, the time I’d normally be catching some sleep before the night. But not today. My mind won’t let me rest. I want to keep up the fight we’ve been having, this back-and-forth where I push, and she fights me off but ends up loving it. But right now, pushing her like that? It feels like it would do more harm than good. I need a new plan. Maybe I can use this—whatever last night was—to my advantage. Take her somewhere from her past, see if she’ll open up, talk about it. But fuck, I’m not used to handling something like this. I’ve always been in control, always known the rules
Dante POVSitting her down on the bike, I grab a helmet and pull it over her head, adjusting the straps. She wiggles in protest, already annoyed. “Stop,” I mutter, holding her still. “I don’t want to wear one,” she snaps, trying to shove it off. “They’re stupid and make me look like I have a big head!” I chuckle, unable to resist teasing her. “No one could ever accuse you of having a big head, love. Now hold still.” I try to fasten the helmet, but she squirms again, refusing to cooperate. With a sigh, I glare down at her. “It’s for protection, Luna. You wear it, or we walk. But trust me, you’ll hate walking a lot more.” She huffs, crossing her arms in annoyance like a child being told to clean their room. I grab the strap and begin adjusting it under her chin when I see her hand twitch, likely about to rip it off, I sigh. My visor slams shut, before she can make a move I grasp the front of her helmet, dragging her close. “Don’t,” I growl, lifting my visor as I grab her neck with
Luna’s POV TW for those who need it: Primal hunting, CNC, and a whole lot of other stuff... I knew he would agree. Dante’s too stubborn, too full of confidence to say no. He told himself nothing I could do in a minute would work. He’s wrong. The moment his eyes closed, I backed into the trees when I was sure he wouldn't hear. I bolted. “Game on, little deer!” Dante’s voice cuts through the woods, and I push myself harder, feet pounding against the forest floor, stumbling over twigs and roots. Every noise I make is betraying me, each snap of a branch underfoot giving away my position. He’s hunting me. But slowing down isn’t an option. It would only give him the advantage, allow him to close the distance. I dive behind a thick tree, pausing just long enough to listen for his footsteps. He’s not too close, but not far enough for me to relax either. Keep moving. Don’t stop. I start running again, lungs burning, legs aching, but I push through it. “The faster you run, the harder
Luna POVThe trees seem to close in around me, suffocating, and my chest tightens as I realize there’s no clear path ahead. “You’re mine, Luna,” his voice growls from behind me, sending shivers down my spine. “You always were.” No. My heart slams against my ribs, my body begging for a break, for rest, but I can’t stop. The woods are a blur now, and my mind is spinning with fear, confusion, and something darker, something primal. Something that makes me want him to catch me, even though every instinct is screaming for me to keep running. But I won’t make it much longer. I know that. Suddenly, I’m thrown to the ground, my body hitting the forest floor. A rush of adrenaline, fear, and excitement surges through me as I flip onto my back. My breath catches when I see him—the mask, the one he always wears, he's now wearing for this. His hand moves swiftly, tearing my top open, exposing my chest to the cool night air. I barely have time to react before the knife appears, slicing through
Serena POVWe sit for a few more minutes, and slowly, the tension begins to bleed from my body. I feel like myself again—or at least the version of me that’s manageable. My muscles unclench, and the static in my head fades. A smile tugs at my lips as I climb onto his lap, curling against him.“Your drinks,” the waiter interrupts with a polite smile, placing them on the table.I reach for my bag, ready to grab some cash for a tip, but when I open it, there’s nothing. My hand freezes.“I…” My fingers scramble through the bag, but it’s empty. Rubbing my head, I try to think. Where did I put the money?“Everything okay?” His voice is soft, but his lips press against mine quickly, a fleeting kiss that feels more like a distraction than affection.“I’ve lost the money,” I whisper, my voice trembling with frustration.“Did he pay you?”“He always pays, Dale.” I frown, trying to pull the memory from the fog in my brain. “I remember him giving it to me… maybe I dropped it outside?”Dale leans
SerenaMy body sinks into the car seat, my arms heavy and my head swimming in a fog. I can feel his eyes on me—watching me, dissecting every movement. I try to force a smile, but even that feels like too much effort.“Pixie Doll,” his voice is low, rough, and the nickname he uses makes my skin crawl tonight for some reason. His fingers grip my chin, firm enough to hold me in place but not enough to hurt. He tilts my face toward him, and I catch the flicker of something behind his eyes—concern?“You good?” he asks, his voice soft but probing, and I nod quickly, even though my body feels like it’s trembling from the inside out.“Perfect,” I lie, my voice barely above a whisper. My mind, however, is screaming. It’s clawing at the edges of something—something I can’t quite grasp. He’s planning something. I can feel it.“Are you sure? You look a little high right now. You think you can ride safely?” His tone shifts, but I'm not sure it's worry, and I hate the way he looks at me—like I’m fr
Jace“Okay, tell me everything I need to know. I doubt this file lays it all out, no secrets, no matter how small,” I say, leaning forward, my eyes locked on him.William exhales heavily, leaning back in his chair, his gaze sharp and assessing. “She was supposed to make you aware of all this, but she never did,” he says, his voice low and clipped.I stiffen. Of course, she didn’t. She couldn’t. I ran before she had the chance. I nod, motioning for him to continue, though the knot forming in my chest tightens with every second of silence.“She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Jace,” he says, his words deliberate, each syllable dropping like a stone. “She came to tell you one night, around the time everything between you two went crazy. She came back after seeing you and said you didn’t care, so she didn’t bother telling you.”I feel the air leave my lungs in one sharp exhale. Didn’t care? That’s a lie. It has to be. Had she told me, I would’ve cared. I would’ve done something—anyth
This is the start of Jace's Story - His Little Hellion.JaceThe file feels like it’s searing through my palm, its weight a constant reminder of everything I’m trying to avoid. A month. I’ve been here a goddamn month, holed up, barricading myself behind work and excuses. I haven’t reached out. Hell, I haven’t even stepped into her orbit. Instead, I sit here, combing through this damn file over and over, as if it’s going to tell me something I don’t already know.The truth? I’m fucking terrified.Serena. Just the name is enough to tighten my chest. A walking nightmare with a smile that could burn the whole world down. When Dante asked me to help run this location with Rich, I had one condition—I wasn’t sure about Serena. I told him straight up. She’s a loose cannon, the kind that could unravel years of work with a single reckless move. But here I am anyway, stuck in this office, tethered to her name like a goddamn noose.The knock on the door makes me flinch. Rich steps in, wearing his
Lilly POVLuna is doubled over laughing. “If only someone had filmed that,” she teases, wiping her eyes.“I would replay it over and over,” I say, joining her laughter. And I mean it—I absolutely would. “I’m going to get home,” Luna says, lifting Elouise into her arms. She gives me a warm smile before heading out, the door clicking softly behind her.I turn my attention to Zade, scooping him up with a playful smile. “Alright, little man, time to get you ready for bed,” I say, carrying him to the changing table.“Why is it always me?” Callum’s voice comes from behind me, dripping with mock frustration.I glance over my shoulder to see him leaning against the doorframe, a weary expression on his face. Laughing softly, I reply, “You’re clearly his favorite. Isn’t that right, Zade?” I tickle Zade’s tummy, and he lets out a giggle.Callum groans, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I’m his favorite target. The vomit earlier proved that.”Smirking, I focus on getting Zade changed. “Whe
Lilly POVZade crawls across the room, his tiny hands and knees making soft pats against the floor as he moves with determination. He pauses near Elouise, sitting up and grabbing one of her small toys before shaking it frantically, giggling as the sound fills the air. Watching him like this—so carefree, so full of life—brings a bittersweet warmth to my chest.It’s days like today that I can’t help but reflect on how much has changed in the last sixteen months since my scan. Everything feels like it’s shifted, like our lives have been rewritten in the best ways.Zade’s arrival wasn’t exactly by the book. He came two weeks early, catching us all completely off guard. Dante and Luna had gone for one of her routine checkups, Callum was at the clubs, and I had convinced myself there was still plenty of time.I was wrong.One moment, everything was calm—quiet, even—and the next, I was gripping the phone, sobbing into the receiver as I called Callum, barely able to get the words out between
Callum POV He’s planned this, weighed the risks, and now he’s looking to me for input.“That’s a big move,” I say, leaning back, my mind already racing through the possibilities.“It is,” he agrees. “But it could save lives. Just like we’ve done here.”Dante isn’t one to take things lightly, and this is no exception. As much as I want to argue about the risks, part of me knows he’s right. The work doesn’t stop—it just shifts to where it’s needed most.“Well...” I start, but the words die on my tongue. I’m completely at a loss. Everything Dante’s telling me feels like it’s spiraling into some crazy scenario, and I can’t find a foothold to ground myself.Dante smirks, clearly enjoying my confusion. “Not only do the local police back it and agree to turn a blind eye to the more... questionable aspects of our operations, but the local MP is onboard too. Apparently, his daughter is causing some chaos. She works on the streets, proving to Daddy she’s not his little princess anymore.”He dr
Callum POVLilly’s weight is soft and comforting against me as I carry her back upstairs. Her body molds to mine, her arms draped lazily around my neck, her head resting on my shoulder. She’s half-asleep, clinging to me as though letting go would pull her from the warmth of the moment.As I step into the apartment, the quietness settles around us, broken only by the soft rustle of her breathing. I push the door to our bedroom open, slipping inside. Gently, I shrug off my robe and remove hers, ensuring she stays warm as I lay her down on the bed and cover her.Sliding in beside her, I feel her instinctively shift closer, her body curling into mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Her arms wrap around me, holding me tightly as though she never wants to let go.Grasping her in return, I press a kiss to her hairline and pull her impossibly closer. She nuzzles into my chest, her warmth spreading through me in a way that feels grounding.“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice so
Lilly POVThe couples on the bed welcome us warmly, making space as we join them. Hands reach out to caress us, and I gasp at the sensation of unfamiliar touches on my skin. Callum keeps me close, his presence grounding me as we’re drawn into the tangle of bodies.“Remember,” he whispers in my ear as we begin to lose ourselves in the pleasure. “I’m right here with you. Always.”With that reassurance, I let go of my last inhibitions and give myself over to the experience, ready to explore new heights of pleasure with Callum by my side.The sensation of multiple hands caressing my body is overwhelming at first. I close my eyes, focusing on the feeling of Callum’s strong arms around me as we sink into the plush mattress. His familiar scent helps ground me as unfamiliar fingers trail along my skin.“Open your eyes,” Callum murmurs. “I want you to see everything.”I obey, my gaze meeting his intense stare. He smiles encouragingly before capturing my lips in a deep kiss. As we kiss, I feel