Luna POVThe blade slices down my chest, cutting shallow, leaving a burning line of pain in its wake. I yelp, biting back the sound as my body trembles. “Oh, did I catch you?” Alex coos, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He circles around to face me, his smirk deepening as he presses his finger into the cut, causing me to hiss in pain. “Alex, stop taunting,” one of the other men mutters, clearly uncomfortable with how this is playing out. But Alex just laughs, his dark eyes locked on me. “He said not to rush,” Alex replies, shrugging. “And trust me, my words alone are tormenting her, aren’t they, Lena? That’s why you threw up when you heard my voice.” My body shakes as I try to suppress any emotion, any sign of fear. But his voice, his touch—everything about him brings back the terror I’ve tried so hard to bury. “What did my voice remind you of, Lena?” he whispers, his knife dragging down my arm now, cutting again. It’s shallow, not deep enough to scar, but the sting is sharp. “
Luna POV With Alex towering over me, I kick my feet forward, catching his knee. He stumbles, and in his moment of distraction, I attempt to crawl away. But as I move, I realize my hands are tied behind my back—there’s no way I can grab the gun. I curse silently, my legs my only remaining weapon. As Alex crawls toward me, I swing one leg toward his shoulder. He notices, grasping my foot, but that’s exactly what I wanted. My other leg swings up, catching him square in the face. He grunts in pain, momentarily dazed, but before I can capitalize on it, his hands grab my knees, slamming my legs apart. He kneels on my thighs, pinning me to the ground, his weight unbearable. Panic rushes through me as I thrash, screaming in fury. The knife gleams in his hand, a reminder of what’s coming if I don’t do something. “Too scared to untie me and make it a real fight?” I taunt, laughing despite the fear clawing at me. I hoped my words would spark his sick desire for the thrill of a chase, but th
Dante POV I come back into the office and immediately notice Luna’s absence. Glancing at Callum, he laughs, shaking his head. “Rich guided her upstairs to get ready, then took her to Ladies’ Night.” Nodding, I relax, dropping into my chair. “Good, we need to discuss things.” I grab the piece of paper from the desk and hand it to him. It’s the address for where Brian is. Callum takes it, scanning the paper before handing it back. “What are you thinking?” “Ashley’s staying there, I’m sure of it. But we need to know if that’s where Brian has the women. Are they living there? Are the other guys hiding there too? We don’t know anything for sure.” I run a hand over my face, frustrated. “We can’t just storm in without knowing what we’re walking into.” Callum nods. “We need someone unconnected to watch the place, right? Someone outside of our circle.” “Yeah. Brian and his men run nights, just like us. By six, most of them will be crawling into bed. We go in the morning when they’re as
Dante POVI glance around the room, panic rising. “Where’s Luna?” I scan the faces in the room, trying to find her. Rich stumbles forward, his face bloody. “Where the fuck is Luna?” I yell, grabbing him by the shirt. “I—I don’t know. Sasha told me to help with the fight, and I… I don’t know where she went.” Rage floods my veins. I spin toward Sasha, her face pale with guilt. “Why the hell were you paying women to start a fight?” I demand, my voice a low growl. “Luna wanted to leave,” Sasha stammers. “So I said I’d create a distraction.” I stare at her, disbelief washing over me. “You created a distraction so she could slip away? Do you know what you’ve done?” My voice rises to a roar. “If she’s dead, you better fucking run!” I scream in her face, watching her flinch before she bolts from the room. Callum is already on his phone, his voice sharp. “I’m sending the address now. Everyone get in the cars.” I storm out, rage propelling me forward. Callum tries to stop me. “You can’t
Dante POVI slam the man’s head into the wall, dazing him long enough for me to bring my knee up into his stomach, sending him to the floor. Without wasting a second, I dash down the hall, following the sound of Luna’s voice. “Luna!” I shout, my heart hammering in my chest as I burst through a door. Another man stands between me and her, and I don’t think—I just act. I tackle him to the ground, my fists raining down on his face until he’s no longer moving. Blood stains my knuckles, but I don’t stop. I have to get to her. Callum is close behind, shooting down anyone who dares get in the way, clearing a path as we charge toward the room. The closer I get, the louder her screams become, and my blood boils with a fury I’ve never felt before. We burst into the room, and there she is. Luna. My Luna, tied, beaten, but alive. “Luna!” I roar, my voice shaking the walls as I lunge toward her, fury and desperation coursing through me. I barely register the man on top of her, my vision blurr
Dante POV I sit back and look at Alex’s lifeless body. Over the years, I’ve had women come from Brian, and Alex was always one of the men they mentioned. He caused psychological issues so deep within some of those women they won’t ever be the same. Now he’s dead, and it’s at my hands. But none of that feels like a victory—not with Luna’s blood still on the floor, not with the thought of what could have happened if I’d been just a little too late. I didn’t realize it was Alex over Luna until it was nearly too late, and now, his words won’t stop haunting me. Did she turn her darkest moments into fantasies? Into pleasure? Alex’s twisted games still have their claws in her, don’t they? The thought makes my stomach churn. Alex and I were always compared because we like the same things—the chase, the power—but I’m nothing like him. I would never enjoy it if the woman didn’t want it. In fact, the idea of someone hating what we did and us still doing it, sickens me. But Alex? He thrived o
Dante POVThe hours pass, each one dragging slower than the last as I sit there, wrestling with myself. I can’t sleep. I won’t sleep. My eyes stay fixed on her, watching her chest rise and fall with every breath, and the storm inside me continues to rage. I want to yell, I want to hold her, I want to fuck her, I want to punish her, I want to tell her I love her—I don’t know what I want. All I know is that I can’t stop thinking about her, and I can’t stop this war inside my head. The night stretches on, and I sit there, unable to move, unable to do anything but stare at her and wonder how the hell we move forward from this. Standing, I walk out of the room, tension thrumming through every muscle in my body. Rich looks up at me, probably sensing the storm brewing inside me, but before he can say anything, I snap, “Don’t fucking leave her! I’m going to the gym.” My voice is rough, harsher than I intended, but I don’t care. I need space, distance. I need to hit something. I stalk down
Dante POV I make my way to the office, slamming the door shut behind me. Sitting down, I try to focus, but my mind is still spinning, still churning with everything that happened. I can’t stop thinking about her—about what she did, about how reckless she was. But more than that, I can’t stop thinking about how much I still need her, even now, even after everything. It’s fucking unbearable. A searing pain grips my chest, sharper than any knife, as the realization crashes over me—I have never truly loved anyone until her. Until Luna. And now, she’s ripped me apart, tearing at the very core of my being, piece by agonizing piece. The rawness of it, the unbearable weight of that truth, crushes me from the inside out. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. The agony is so consuming that I’m powerless to fight it. I try to push it down, to bury it beneath my anger, but the pain flares hotter, stronger, until there’s nothing left but a burning need to do something. Anything. With a primal scre
Lilly POVI hold my breath as he continues.“Behind the scenes, this place offers sex work. But it’s not what you’re thinking. Every man who uses these services is vetted extensively before they’re allowed access. Every room is monitored, recorded. The women keep everything they make. It’s not perfect, but it’s safe. Safer than being out on the street, at the mercy of men like Andrew.”His words sink in, and I can’t move. Can’t breathe. My mind races, processing everything. A brothel. A strip club. A place where women sell their bodies—but safely. My lip trembles as I try to make sense of it all. He’s staring at me, waiting for a reaction.He told me about his mother and sister. Is it true? Would he lie about something like that? But he’s helping me, protecting me. Surely that means he’s telling the truth. Doesn’t it?The room feels heavy with Callum’s words, his voice still echoing in my mind. My heart pounds as I process everything he’s said. A brothel—sex work, but safe. Women keep
Lilly POVWhen the doors slide open, I follow him into the depths of this strange new world, the pain of my past still clinging to me, but for the first time in years, the faintest flicker of hope glimmers on the horizon.My eyes dart around the unfamiliar space, trying to take in my surroundings and piece together where I am. The halls are clean, polished, and far too quiet, with an air of something carefully constructed. Callum walks ahead of me, his confident stride unwavering. I trail behind, hesitant but with no better option. My heart races as he pauses, his warm smile softening as he opens a door and gestures for me to follow.The office we step into is sleek but not overly extravagant. The man behind the desk looks up, his eyes sharp but his smile disarmingly kind. His presence is calm, steady, and strangely comforting. He doesn’t stand, doesn’t extend a hand. He simply nods in acknowledgment.“Rachel,” he says, his voice even and measured. “I’m Dante.” His gaze holds mine, no
LillyPain drags me from the depths of unconsciousness, its sharp tendrils gripping every inch of my body. My ribs ache with each shallow breath, and a dull throb pulses behind my eyes. But beneath it all, there’s warmth—thick, heavy, unfamiliar. The softness of the mattress envelops me, the weight of a lavish duvet pressing gently against my battered frame. It’s so unlike the cold, hard surfaces I’ve grown accustomed to. For a fleeting moment, I think I’m dreaming.I try to sit up, a low groan escaping my lips as the effort sends fresh waves of pain coursing through me. Before I can go any further, a hand presses gently against my shoulder, halting me.“Slow down, you’re hurt,” a deep voice says softly, steady and calm, though it carries an undertone of quiet strength. My gaze darts upward, locking onto the man beside me.“Callum,” he says with a faint smile, as though sensing my hesitation. “In case you forgot my name.”Callum. The memory rushes back—his towering frame blocking out
As we ride back down in the elevator, his voice cuts through the silence. “Why do you want to help women like her? What makes you care?”I glance at him, weighing my words carefully. I don’t usually talk about my mother and sister—it’s a wound that never fully heals. But something about his tone tells me he’s asking for more than curiosity.“When I was younger, I noticed my little sister withdrawing, hiding away. She wouldn’t talk to me. Then one day, she turned up dead. My mom… she fell apart. I found out my father had forced her into street work, and when my sister was barely a teen, he sold her off. After my sister’s death, he ran. My mom killed herself not long after.”He doesn’t say anything, just listens. I continue, my voice steady despite the weight of the memories. “My dad wasn’t anyone big, just desperate and cruel. After my mom died, I tracked him down. Killed him myself. Along the way, I met others—men far worse, with entire networks behind them. Helping the women caught i
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