Callum POV
Work has been quiet tonight, almost too quiet. It gives me time to think, which isn’t always a good thing. On my break, I decide to check on Lilly, my fingers moving instinctively to pull up the live security feed. There she is, standing with Sasha, the two of them talking. She should be heading back upstairs soon, so maybe I’ll go down to see her before she calls it a night.
Standing, I grab my jacket and make my way to the elevator. The ride down feels slower than usual, my mind running through the usual thoughts—how she’s adjusting, if she’s feeling any better. But when I step into the room, something feels… off. Sasha and Lilly are still deep in conversation, but there’s a subtle tension in the air, a hesitation in the way Lilly’s shoulders are hunched slightly forward.
“Hey,” I say, approaching them. “You’re down here late.”
Lilly turns, her eyes meeting mine br
Callum POVDante studies me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Have you figured out where she’ll start yet?” I ask, shifting the conversation away from my own feelings.“She’ll stay as a dancer for now,” he replies, his tone matter-of-fact. “In a few months, if she’s comfortable being around men, I’ll consider giving her a place downstairs. But that’s only if she’s ready.”“She could just stay as a dancer,” I say with a shrug, though the thought doesn’t sit right with me.“You know she doesn’t want that,” Dante says, his voice firm but not unkind. “If I refuse her progression, she’s likely to go looking for work somewhere else. And you know how that could end.”I nod, the weight of his words sinking in. He’s right. If she feels like she can’t grow here, she’ll leave, and the thought of her stepping b
Callum POVFrustrated, I rub my face and step into the club. My eyes scan the room until they land on Sasha leaning against the bar, her confident smirk in place as if last night didn’t even happen. My chest tightens, and I stride over, stopping just short of her.“Why last night?” I ask, my voice low but firm. “If it was nothing, fine, but why did you suddenly decide to do it?”She raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “I was bored. You were fun,” she says with a casual shrug, her tone devoid of any emotion.Her words hit like a slap. “So, you don’t care if I date or sleep with someone else?” I ask, watching her carefully, looking for any reaction, any flicker of something genuine. Instead, she lets out a mocking laugh.“Why the hell would I care, Callum? It was purely sex,” she says, turning her back on me without another word and walking away.I stand there for a mome
LillyIt’s been a few months since I moved in with the women, and honestly, it’s been great. The energy is different here—lively, supportive, a stark contrast to the quiet isolation I had when I stayed with Callum. I love the company of the other women, the way they lift each other up and offer guidance. They’re like a safety net I didn’t know I needed.But still, a part of me misses the calm, steady presence of Callum. Now that I’m working, I know our schedules overlap, and I’d be seeing him more if I’d stayed in his apartment. It’s a strange thing to think about—how being surrounded by people feels like a relief but also a loss at the same time.The women are amazing, but there’s something I can’t shake, a tension that coils tight whenever Sasha is around. Everyone tells me it’s nothing, that she’s fine with me, and outwardly, it looks that way. If others are nearby, she’
Lilly POVCallum listens intently, his jaw tightening as he places his glass on the table. He exhales sharply before speaking. “Maybe she’s jealous,” he says, his tone measured but thoughtful. “You know she tried working downstairs, right? Not many men were interested in her. She quit because of it. Now, you’re down there, and the women idolize you while every man requests you.”I blink, his words sinking in. Could that really be it? Jealousy? It seems too simple, but at the same time, it makes sense. I nod slowly, the pieces starting to fall into place. “Thanks, Callum,” I whisper, my voice soft. “You’re a great friend.”He sighs, a sound heavy with frustration, and fixes me with a hard stare. “Friend?” he repeats, the word dripping with bitterness.I chew my lip, suddenly feeling like I’ve said the wrong thing. The tension in the room shifts, thick and unspoken. “Cal
Lilly POVWhy did I wait? I’ve wanted Callum for so long, and refused to accept it. He rolls us over, our breathing still hectic. My legs hook around his waist and I pull him closer.“Are you sure?” He whispers, and kisses me.“Yes, Callum, please just fuck me.” I bite my lip, and feel the head of his cock rubbing against my pussy.“God, Lilly, I’ve wanted this for so long,” he growls, and in one smooth stroke, he’s inside me.“Oh, god,” I moan as he fills me up, stretching me in ways I hadn’t been stretched in a long time.“You feel so good, Lilly,” he groans, and starts to move faster.His thrusts are deep and hard, exactly how I like it. I dig my nails into his back, and urge him on. “Harder, Callum! Fuck me harder!”He groans at my words, but slams into me with more force.My walls clench around him, desperate to keep
Callum POVI get dressed quickly, pulling on my clothes and slipping out of my apartment. The halls are quiet, deserted even, which is exactly what I was hoping for. The women are still out, likely enjoying themselves well into the morning. For them, nine a.m. is early, more like nine p.m. for anyone living a normal life.It’s a relief, really. It means I have a few hours of peace before anyone comes back. I make my way down to her door, my steps careful and deliberate. When I reach it, I glance down the hall one last time before slipping inside.Lilly is curled up on the bed, her small frame barely making a dent in the mattress. She looks so peaceful, so completely worn out, that it tugs at something deep inside me.“You came,” she murmurs sleepily, her eyes barely open.“I said I wanted to sleep holding you,” I reply with a small smile, locking the door behind me. “I meant that.”I begin stripping
Callum POVI spend the next hour walking through the building, checking in on the women and ensuring everything’s running smoothly. A small part of me hopes to see Lilly, but another part is relieved that I don’t. The thought of her being with another guy—it shouldn’t bother me, but it does, more than I want to admit.When I return to the office, it’s empty. Justin and Dante are gone, leaving the space blessedly quiet. Sinking into my chair, I pull up the security feeds, watching the screens closely. Everything appears calm, and for a while, I lose myself in the monotony of monitoring the club’s activity.Dante eventually strides back into the office, his grin wide and self-assured.“Getting further in your conquest?” I ask, smirking slightly. Only Dante would treat stalking a woman like it’s a strategic game.“Further than I expected,” he replies, his grin widening.“Funn
Lilly POVI step into the main room and sink into one of the chairs, cradling a steaming cup of coffee in my hands. The soft murmur of conversation around me is comforting, and for a moment, I let myself relax. Mr. Henderson, one of my regulars, is scheduled to arrive in about five minutes. He always requests me, and while the sessions can be exhausting, they’re predictable—a small comfort in this chaotic world.As I chat with the other women, a genuine smile crosses my lips. Spending time with Callum last night, opening up to him, felt like a weight lifting from my chest. It was a step I’d needed to take for a long time. Now, as I sip my coffee, I feel lighter, more at ease.The clock catches my eye, and my smile falters. Mr. Henderson is late. Frowning, I stand and make my way into the hallway, where I spot Sasha leaning casually against the wall, her phone in hand.“Has Mr. Henderson not arrived yet?” I ask, keeping my ton
Callum POVBy the time we find Luna, the scene is devastating. Her body is marked with bruises, her clothes torn off and in tatters on the floor. Her disheveled state tells a story of violence and desperation that makes my blood run cold. Dante stands over her, his rage barely restrained, the darkness in his eyes promising retribution. Without a word, he grabs her by the arm, his grip firm but not cruel, and shoves her toward me.“Take her out,” he growls, his voice a menacing edge that cuts through the tension like a knife. “And don’t fucking look at her body.”I catch her as she stumbles, my arms steadying her before she falls. The weight of his words hangs in the air, and I nod, my throat tight with unspoken anger and guilt. I lift Luna into my arms, cradling her battered form against me, and carry her toward the car one of our men had waiting nearby. Every step feels heavier as the reality of what she’s endured sinks in.Once outside, the cold night air hits us like a slap, and I
Callum POVThe once-glamorous club looks like a war zone. Tables are overturned, shattered glass litters the floor, and spilled drinks glisten under the strobing lights. High-pitched screams and furious shouts blend into a cacophony of sound, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.Women—dozens of them—are at each other’s throats. Fists flying, nails clawing, and hair being pulled as drinks are tossed in all directions. It’s a full-blown brawl, not some minor scuffle.“Jesus Christ,” I mutter, my eyes darting across the mayhem. “I thought the guys were the ones who fought hard,” I manage to laugh weakly, nudging Dante.“Not the time,” he growls, his jaw tightening as he surveys the wreckage. Then, in his commanding voice, he roars, “Shut off the music!”I rush to turn on the overhead lights, flooding the room with harsh brightness. But it doesn’t have the effect we hoped for. The fighting doesn’t even falter.Pushing through the chaos, Dante and I wade into the fray. Chairs scrape agai
Callum’s POVThe weight of the night settles heavily on my shoulders as I sit at my desk, forcing myself to focus on the work before me. The room is dimly lit, the glow from my screen casting shadows that flicker with every movement. I’m grateful for the small victories, like Lilly and Luna finding comfort in each other. That connection will help Lilly feel happier here.The door creaks open, breaking the heavy silence. Dante strides in, his expression hard, his steps purposeful. He’s searching for Luna. “Rich escorted her upstairs,” I inform him. “She’s getting ready for Ladies’ Night.”Dante gives a curt nod, setting a stack of papers down on the desk between us. “Good. We need to talk plans.”I glance down at the papers, recognizing the familiar, dreaded name: Brian. A shiver of unease ripples through me. Brian’s location, Ashley’s name—it’s all here. The pieces of this twisted puzzle are finally starting to come together.“What do you think?” I ask?I hand the papers back to him,
Callum POVMy fingers tighten in her hair, pulling her closer. She doesn’t resist, meeting my movements with a defiant smirk. The room feels electric, the tension crackling around us.She tries to pull away, but I tighten my grip, guiding her closer until she gags softly. The sound sends a bolt of desire through me, but I force myself to pause, to think. This wasn’t part of the plan, and I need to regain control.I pull her head up, watching as she gasps for air, her smirk still firmly in place. “I don’t have time right now,” I say, my voice rough with need. “I wish I did, Kitten.”She pouts, her bottom lip jutting out just enough to test my resolve. “Then when will you play with me properly?” she asks, her tone a perfect balance of teasing and innocence. She winks, and I can’t help but laugh.Wrapping my hand around her neck, I pull her onto my lap. The instant her body presses against mine
Callum POVI’ve been staring at the screens for what feels like hours, my eyes burning as I comb through footage, trying to piece together who killed Lucy. Every second that ticks by feels heavier, like a noose tightening around my neck. I’ve spoken to Dante, exchanged theories, but nothing feels solid. Now, I’m standing outside the office, waiting for a storm I know is about to hit.Sasha stormed in earlier, demanding to speak with Dante alone, and the way she looked at me as she passed? It was like a dagger aimed straight for my chest. I know her well enough to sense what’s coming. She’s telling him everything—or worse, twisting it to make me look like the villain. The shouting coming from inside isn’t reassuring.But the shouting isn’t about me. It’s about Luna.I can hear Dante’s voice, sharp and full of frustration, and I can’t help but wonder how the hell things got this far. Here I a
Callum POVJustin is still chained up, his cocky smirk intact despite his predicament. “Someone got the better of you,” he taunts, his gaze locked on Dante.“No, me and Luna were just having fun,” Dante counters, his voice laced with venom. Justin’s smirk falters, and his glare sharpens.I step forward, cracking my knuckles. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way, Justin. But you’re going to talk. It’s just a matter of how much pain you’re in when you do.”Justin spits on the floor, his laugh mocking. “Go to hell. You don’t scare me.”His defiance is infuriating. Without thinking, I slam my fist into his stomach.“That all you got?” he wheezes, still laughing.“Not even close,” Dante growls, his eyes dark with rage.I grab a pair of pliers from the table, holding them up for Justin to see. “Let’s see how long th
Callum POVToday has been a disaster from the start, and tonight isn’t shaping up to be any better. Lilly left the office earlier, and I don’t blame her. Sasha’s temper is on a hair-trigger, and she’s been snapping demands and shouting at everyone. Her favorite complaint of the night? Dante isn’t here.Never mind that the place is fine, that nothing catastrophic has happened—she just doesn’t want to deal with me. I can see it written all over her face every time she storms in. Dante promised he’d be back before the clubs opened or just after, but he’s not. And worse, he’s not answering my calls. I try to keep my frustration under control, but it’s wearing thin.The door bangs open again, and Sasha strides in, her eyes fixed on Dante’s empty desk.“There’s a guy downstairs who needs vetting,” she snaps, her tone sharp enough to cut glass. Without waiting for a respons
Lilly POVI press my forehead against his shoulder, feeling the tension in his muscles, the quiet storm of his anger simmering beneath the surface.“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.Callum tilts my face up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I love you, Lilly,” he says, his voice steady and sure. “I know there’s a part of you that doesn’t believe it’s possible, but I do. I love you, and I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”The sincerity in his voice stirs something deep within me. It’s terrifying to know someone cares for me this much, but it’s also the safest I’ve ever felt. His love is a double-edged sword—dangerous but comforting all at once.“How about we go out tonight?” he asks, a small smile tugging at his lips.I blink up at him, caught off guard. “It’s midnight, Callum. Where’s even open at this hour? And are
Lilly POVI don’t even have time to sit down before a sharp knock breaks the quiet. My stomach twists as I walk to the door, already dreading who might be on the other side.Opening it, I freeze. Sasha.Without a word, she pushes past me, her presence overwhelming the space as she strides into the apartment.“What are you doing?” My voice is barely above a whisper, my gaze flicking toward the elevator. Maybe Callum will be up soon. Maybe he’ll walk in and stop whatever this is.Sasha turns, her arms crossed, her expression sharp and unyielding. “I came to talk,” she snaps. Her tone leaves no room for argument. “Sit.”The command pulls at something deep in me, something small and afraid. My legs move before I can think, carrying me to the couch where I sit, my hands twisting nervously in my lap. The air feels heavier with every second that passes, my anxiety climbing higher and higher.Sash