Lilly POV
Callum 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
Callum POVTurning away, I step out of the room, locking the door behind me as I go.Walking into the office, I glance at Dante, who’s already waiting with a grim expression.“No one’s seen Lilly,” he says, his tone sharp and focused. “When did you last see her?”“When I went to bed last night,” I reply with a shrug, keeping my voice steady, though my mind is already spinning.Dante studies me for a moment before nodding. “Right. I’ll get some guys to start looking for her. But there’s something else.” He pauses, his gaze hardening. “I found your daughter.”The words hit like a freight train, but I don’t flinch. “Where is she?”“With Dwayne,” he says, his voice heavy with meaning. “He’s tied to the group that had Sasha. He also has connections to Andrew. It’s a tangled mess.”I process the information quickly, my mind already forming a plan. “Anything else?” I ask, my tone clipped, ready to move.“Yeah,” Dante says, his voice darkening further. “People want blood. Andrew’s apparently
Callum POVReaching for my own phone, I quickly type out a message to Dante.My daughter will be left there. Keep her safe. Tell Lilly I’m sorry—really sorry—and that she’s safe now. Thanks for the chance to change things. You were a great friend. By the way, Lilly is locked in the bedroom.Hitting send, I slip the phone into my pocket. My gaze flickers to Sasha’s body, her lifeless eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. My jaw tightens as I glance down at the phone in my hand. The location isn’t far from here.So they’re already in the city.Without another thought, I turn on my heel and head for the door, each step feeling heavier than the last. This isn’t about me anymore. It’s about Lilly. About finally putting an end to this.The roar of the engine dies as I pull up in front of two cars, the men already standing there, watching me like wolves circling prey. Their postures are aggressive, guns visible, tension crackling in the air like a live wire. I dismount slowly, holding my hand
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