Lilly POVI find Luna downstairs, a place I’ve grown to hate. The air feels thick with judgment, the women looking at me as if they’re waiting for me to spill my guts about everything. But I can’t. I won’t. Callum would hate it if they knew—if they whispered behind his back about how broken he is, how he can barely talk or walk. He’s already drowning in his own shame. Adding to it would be cruel.I catch Luna’s eye and wave her over. She smiles gently, wrapping me in a warm hug. “Can we go somewhere private?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. She nods without hesitation, leading me to the office.Once inside, we sit down, the heavy door closing out the rest of the world.“I figured you’d still be with Callum,” she says, tilting her head curiously.I let out a shaky breath. “No. He pushed me out,” I admit, the words feeling like a confession. “He fell, and when I tried to help, he refused. He wouldn’t let me stay, either. The more I was there, the more frustrated he got, so I lef
Lilly POVAn idea sparks, bold and impulsive. My hands move to unfasten his trousers, my fingers working deftly until they’re undone. His breath hitches, and as I wrap my hand around his cock, a low groan escapes him, rough and guttural.“Lil-ly,” he groans, his voice thick with need, his head falling back as his eyes close. The sound of his voice sends a thrill through me, and I move down, kneeling between his legs. My tongue drags slowly along the length of him, teasing, savoring the moment.I glance up at him, my lips curving into a smirk. “Here’s the deal, Callum,” I say, my tone playful yet firm. “You have to say what you want. Harder, deeper, slower, faster. Use your words, or I stay at this maddeningly slow, teasing pace.”To emphasize my point, I drag my tongue along his cock again, moving torturously slowly. He groans, his hand tangling into my hair, pulling me closer, but I resist, holding my ground.“Words,” I remind him with a smirk, my voice light but laced with challenge
Callum POVIt’s been a week since I got home. A week confined to this apartment, not stepping foot outside. A week of Lilly trying to fix me. I’m not an idiot—I know what she’s doing. She’s using sex, pleasure, and intimacy to relax me, to make speaking easier. And it works, it really does, but it also feels... wrong somehow.Not that I’m complaining. I can talk now—not as smoothly as before, not as fast, but enough. I don’t need the damn phone to communicate anymore. Lilly’s been incredible, staying by my side after all the shit I put her through. After everything I’ve done, I don’t deserve her patience or her love.Honestly, I deserve to be left here to figure it out alone, to struggle with every step, every word, every damn thing. But I can walk now, at least a little. It’s not much, but it’s enough that she doesn’t have to help me to the bathroom anymore, and that feels like a small victory.“When do you plan to see her?” Dante asks, sitting across from me with a glass of whiskey
Callum POV Dante sighs, shaking his head. “Well, if you’d taken the time to look into him, you’d have known the place you killed him was his house. Zeke and Andrew still lived there, Callum. You’re all from the same damn area. And somehow, here you are—connected to Sasha and Lilly. It’s... weirdly fucked up.”Is it? My mind spins as I think back. “You said you had told Sasha about me, before she came, that you had a guy to work with you—that guy being me. Maybe she suspected something?”Dante shrugs, leaning back in his chair. “For all we know, Sasha’s been going from place to place trying to track you down. After everything she pulled, I wouldn’t put it past her. Maybe her showing up here wasn’t a coincidence at all.”The thought sits heavy in my chest. If Sasha orchestrated all of this, even indirectly, it twists everything in ways I’m not ready to untangle.“You’ll never know,” Dante says finally, pulling me from my thoughts. “Focus on Lilly now. You’ve got her scan next week, rig
Lilly POVWhen we step into the apartment, the low murmur of voices greets us. Callum’s grip on my hand is firm—too firm. At first glance, it might look like he’s holding on for support to walk, but I know better. It’s desperation, plain and simple. His fingers dig into mine like he’s holding on for dear life.As we round the corner, Luna is sitting with Nevina. She smiles warmly and waves at us. Nevina, noticing the movement, turns toward us, her dark eyes assessing. They’re sharp, curious, and far older than they should be for a ten-year-old.“I’ll give you guys some space,” Luna says, rising gracefully to her feet. I nod at her, thankful for the gesture. She’s been spending a lot of time with Nevina, and it shows. Little Bear is curled up beside Nevina, fast asleep, and the scene feels oddly domestic, almost surreal.Callum doesn’t move, doesn’t say a word. He’s frozen, his body tense and his eyes flickering around the room like he’s searching for an escape route. I squeeze his han
Lilly POV Nevina’s gaze shifts between us, her expression neutral but her eyes sharp, like she’s trying to piece together what we’re not saying. For a ten-year-old, she’s perceptive—too perceptive. It’s clear she senses the tension, the unspoken truth hanging just out of reach.But she doesn’t press. She just sits there, clutching the pictures like they’re the only anchors she has in a world that’s been completely upended. And maybe, for now, that’s enough.I clear my throat, trying to cut through the tension. “What are you sketching, Nevina?” I ask, my voice light, though I can feel the strain behind it.She looks up, blinking as if pulled from her own thoughts. “Just... some flowers,” she says softly, her voice a little hesitant. She flips the sketchpad around to show us, and it’s beautiful—delicate roses and daisies sketched in remarkable detail.Callum’s eyes widen slightly, his expression softening for the first time since we walked in. “Th-that’s...good,” he says, his voice fal
Callum POVFor the first time in three months, I feel normal again—or as close to normal as I can get. The pain is gone. I can move freely, and my voice doesn’t betray me anymore, even when I’m frustrated or stressed. Tonight feels like a new chapter, one where I’m not defined by the scars of what happened.Wrapping a towel around my waist, I pause in front of the mirror. My reflection stares back at me, unfamiliar in some ways. My hands press against the cool countertop, steadying me, before they move to my chest. The scars are stark, a permanent reminder of the hell I endured.As I lose myself in thought, soft hands slide around my waist, and I feel her lips press against my shoulder. Her touch pulls me back, grounding me. A smile tugs at my lips as I meet her gaze in the mirror.“You should really wear a shirt...” Lilly mutters playfully, her voice teasing but warm.“I know,” I reply, smirking. “The sight will make people sick.”She moves around to stand in front of me, her express
Lilly POVI stand in the room, my eyes scanning everywhere. I never expected this, I never expected Callum to agree to bring me into this room. Even if only he is touching me. A swingers bar is far from what I expected tonight. He pulls me closer, kissing me deeper, as his fingers trail along my back in the gap where he's unzipped it.The air is thick with the scent of sweat and desire. Around us, bodies writhe in various states of undress, moans and gasps punctuating the low throb of music. I shiver as Callum’s fingers dance along my spine, my dress loosening further with each caress.“Are you sure about this?” he whispers against my ear, his breath hot on my skin.I nod, unable to form words as I watch a woman across the room being bound to a St. Andrew’s cross, her partner wielding a flogger with practiced ease. The crack of leather on flesh makes me jump, but Callum’s strong arms hold me steady.“We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with,” he reassures me, but I can
“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