Serena POVMy body trembles, the shakes making it harder to hold onto the handlebars as I ride. My vision blurs in and out, my skin crawling with that unbearable itch that only gets worse the longer I go without my pills. My thoughts slip in and out of focus, fragmented and disjointed, like pieces of a puzzle that won’t fit together. I don’t remember half the ride by the time I stop outside the house, my heart pounding against my ribs like it’s trying to break free.I barely get off my bike before I’m moving, legs unsteady as I push through the door. My breaths come fast, uneven. The world tilts for a second, but I ignore it, shoving past the few people lingering inside and taking the stairs two at a time. My hands shake as I reach his door, and I knock hard.“Dale!” My voice comes out rough, cracking on his name. No answer. I knock again, harder. “Please, Dale!”The door stays silent.“He left,” Joanne’s voice cuts through my panic, and I spin to face her, my stomach twisting.“What?
Serena POV“I warned you,” he says, voice calm, too casual. “Told you not to be late again, didn’t I?” He leans back against the bar, stretching his arms out along the counter like this is nothing more than a minor inconvenience. “And yet, here we are. You fucking up, me waiting for you to figure it out, and now you get to deal with your dad like I said you would.”A cold sweat breaks out along my back. My chest tightens as the words sink in, my panic twisting into something more dangerous. I shake my head, forcing myself to swallow the lump in my throat. “Dale, please. You can’t—he’ll—” My voice cracks, but I don’t care. He knows exactly what my father would do if he thought I wasn’t taking my meds right.Dale watches me struggle, his lips twitching at the corners like he’s savoring it. He leans in slightly, voice dropping just enough to make sure I hear every damn word. “I can. And I will. You’re making my life harder, Sera. I told you the rules. I told you what happens if you don’t
Serena POVChecking my bag it's empty. I don't understand, I remember it in my hand, but did I give him it?“You said you had it,” Dale continues, voice steady. “But you never gave it to me. You must have lost it.”“No,” I whisper, shaking my head again. My throat tightens, panic trying to claw its way back up. “I—”His sigh is soft, almost disappointed. “You’ve been all over the place, Sera. You were late taking your tablets, you were shaking so bad you could barely stand… maybe you thought you gave it to me, but you didn’t.”I try to argue, but the words don’t come. The way he says it, the way he looks at me like I’m something fragile, something easily broken—it makes me hesitate. The confidence I had in my memory crumbles, the cracks widening with every second of silence between us.I was late. I was shaking. I don’t even remember how I got here, not really. The ride, the searching, the desperation—it’s all a blur, a mess of fragmented pieces that don’t fit together.Maybe I did fo
Jace POVI need to put a stop to this.That’s the only reason I’m back here, standing in the middle of this fucking street, watching her make the worst decision of her life like it means nothing. The guy in the car doesn’t give a damn, his lazy smirk saying he’s already won. He’s not going anywhere. He’ll sit there all fucking night if he has to, waiting for her to crack, waiting for her to climb inside like she’s done a hundred times before.Her hand moves to open the door, and I reach out, grabbing her wrist before she can. “I’ll pay you,” I say, voice tight, my chest burning with frustration. “Don’t get in that car, please.”Something’s off. She’s different today, her energy too erratic, too wild, like she’s running on something other than adrenaline. The way her body sways, the way her pupils are blown wide—it’s not just the club, not just the high of the moment.Then she tilts her head, eyes locking onto mine, and she grins, teeth flashing in the dim light.“Will you fuck me, Jac
Jace POVBy the time we pull up outside, I’ve made my decision. I climb off my bike and walk straight to her, grabbing her wrist before she can say anything and leading her inside. But I don’t take her to my apartment. Instead, I step into the lift, pressing the button that takes us downstairs.She doesn’t question it right away, just watches me with that sharp, wary gaze, waiting for whatever comes next.When we step out, I walk her down the hall to a vacant room, pushing the door open and stepping inside before locking it behind us. The air shifts instantly, her body going still as her eyes flick around the space. It’s simple—clean, dim lighting, nothing extravagant—but the energy in the room is different, charged with something she doesn’t fully understand yet.“Have you done anything like this before?” I ask quietly, watching her closely.Her head shakes, a slow, hesitant movement, but her eyes don’t leave mine.“Okay,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “We’ll start with the basics.
Jace POVWhen the feather brushes against her inner thighs again, her legs tremble, parting slightly without thought. I watch as the tension in her hands loosens, her fidgeting slowing, her mind beginning to quiet. She’s sinking into it now, letting the sensation take over.Setting the feather aside, I reach for the pinwheel and an ice cube, the stark contrast between the two designed to overwhelm her senses.The moment the cool metal of the pinwheel makes contact with her hip, she shudders, her skin tightening under the delicate prickle of each tiny spike. I roll it up her side, the subtle drag leaving a trail of awareness in its wake. Her breathing shifts, turning into soft, shallow pants as I circle the pinwheel along the curve of her breast, teasing but never fully touching.At the same time, I press the ice cube to her lips. Her gasp is sharp, instinctive, her mouth parting slightly from the shock of cold. I take advantage of the moment, dragging the ice along her neck, leaving g
Jace POV“Count for me,” I instruct, my voice firm but steady. Without waiting for a response, I bring the paddle down with more force against her upper thigh.“One,” she gasps, her body tensing before quickly relaxing into the sensation.I continue, alternating between her thighs, her ass, and the curve of her hips, watching as her skin warms under each controlled strike. I push the intensity just a little further each time, testing her limits, feeling her reactions shift between sharp gasps and breathy moans. By the time we reach ten, her body is flushed a beautiful shade of pink, her muscles loose, her breaths uneven.“Good girl,” I murmur, setting the paddle aside. My voice is low, soothing, meant to anchor her even as I prepare to take her further. “Now for something different.”I pick up the flogger, letting the soft leather strands dance over her sensitized skin. She shivers instantly, her breath catching, her body trembling under the featherlight touch. I watch as anticipation
Dante’s POV1 year earlierI sit in the dark office, glaring at the phone. The silence feels suffocating, but I prefer it that way. I’m hiding, and I know it. Today, of all days, I’ve told everyone to handle things on their own. No one dares ask for my help—they know better than to cross me on this date.At least, I thought they did.The knock on the door makes me groan.“What?” I snap, my voice harsher than I intend.The door creaks open, and Callum steps in with his usual calm, carrying a small box.“I know what today is, Dante. But I also know you,” he says, placing the box on the desk between us.“I don’t need to see it,” I mutter, staring at the darkened room. “I trust he’s dead and handled.”Callum nods. “He’s done. As for the woman—Sasha’s looking after her. Doctor’s stitched her up, but she’s causing a scene. Refuses to work here.”Of course. I let out a deep sigh.“Tell Sasha to send her in,” I say, flicking on the light, the sudden brightness making me squint.Callum nods an
Jace POV“Count for me,” I instruct, my voice firm but steady. Without waiting for a response, I bring the paddle down with more force against her upper thigh.“One,” she gasps, her body tensing before quickly relaxing into the sensation.I continue, alternating between her thighs, her ass, and the curve of her hips, watching as her skin warms under each controlled strike. I push the intensity just a little further each time, testing her limits, feeling her reactions shift between sharp gasps and breathy moans. By the time we reach ten, her body is flushed a beautiful shade of pink, her muscles loose, her breaths uneven.“Good girl,” I murmur, setting the paddle aside. My voice is low, soothing, meant to anchor her even as I prepare to take her further. “Now for something different.”I pick up the flogger, letting the soft leather strands dance over her sensitized skin. She shivers instantly, her breath catching, her body trembling under the featherlight touch. I watch as anticipation
Jace POVWhen the feather brushes against her inner thighs again, her legs tremble, parting slightly without thought. I watch as the tension in her hands loosens, her fidgeting slowing, her mind beginning to quiet. She’s sinking into it now, letting the sensation take over.Setting the feather aside, I reach for the pinwheel and an ice cube, the stark contrast between the two designed to overwhelm her senses.The moment the cool metal of the pinwheel makes contact with her hip, she shudders, her skin tightening under the delicate prickle of each tiny spike. I roll it up her side, the subtle drag leaving a trail of awareness in its wake. Her breathing shifts, turning into soft, shallow pants as I circle the pinwheel along the curve of her breast, teasing but never fully touching.At the same time, I press the ice cube to her lips. Her gasp is sharp, instinctive, her mouth parting slightly from the shock of cold. I take advantage of the moment, dragging the ice along her neck, leaving g
Jace POVBy the time we pull up outside, I’ve made my decision. I climb off my bike and walk straight to her, grabbing her wrist before she can say anything and leading her inside. But I don’t take her to my apartment. Instead, I step into the lift, pressing the button that takes us downstairs.She doesn’t question it right away, just watches me with that sharp, wary gaze, waiting for whatever comes next.When we step out, I walk her down the hall to a vacant room, pushing the door open and stepping inside before locking it behind us. The air shifts instantly, her body going still as her eyes flick around the space. It’s simple—clean, dim lighting, nothing extravagant—but the energy in the room is different, charged with something she doesn’t fully understand yet.“Have you done anything like this before?” I ask quietly, watching her closely.Her head shakes, a slow, hesitant movement, but her eyes don’t leave mine.“Okay,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “We’ll start with the basics.
Jace POVI need to put a stop to this.That’s the only reason I’m back here, standing in the middle of this fucking street, watching her make the worst decision of her life like it means nothing. The guy in the car doesn’t give a damn, his lazy smirk saying he’s already won. He’s not going anywhere. He’ll sit there all fucking night if he has to, waiting for her to crack, waiting for her to climb inside like she’s done a hundred times before.Her hand moves to open the door, and I reach out, grabbing her wrist before she can. “I’ll pay you,” I say, voice tight, my chest burning with frustration. “Don’t get in that car, please.”Something’s off. She’s different today, her energy too erratic, too wild, like she’s running on something other than adrenaline. The way her body sways, the way her pupils are blown wide—it’s not just the club, not just the high of the moment.Then she tilts her head, eyes locking onto mine, and she grins, teeth flashing in the dim light.“Will you fuck me, Jac
Serena POVChecking my bag it's empty. I don't understand, I remember it in my hand, but did I give him it?“You said you had it,” Dale continues, voice steady. “But you never gave it to me. You must have lost it.”“No,” I whisper, shaking my head again. My throat tightens, panic trying to claw its way back up. “I—”His sigh is soft, almost disappointed. “You’ve been all over the place, Sera. You were late taking your tablets, you were shaking so bad you could barely stand… maybe you thought you gave it to me, but you didn’t.”I try to argue, but the words don’t come. The way he says it, the way he looks at me like I’m something fragile, something easily broken—it makes me hesitate. The confidence I had in my memory crumbles, the cracks widening with every second of silence between us.I was late. I was shaking. I don’t even remember how I got here, not really. The ride, the searching, the desperation—it’s all a blur, a mess of fragmented pieces that don’t fit together.Maybe I did fo
Serena POV“I warned you,” he says, voice calm, too casual. “Told you not to be late again, didn’t I?” He leans back against the bar, stretching his arms out along the counter like this is nothing more than a minor inconvenience. “And yet, here we are. You fucking up, me waiting for you to figure it out, and now you get to deal with your dad like I said you would.”A cold sweat breaks out along my back. My chest tightens as the words sink in, my panic twisting into something more dangerous. I shake my head, forcing myself to swallow the lump in my throat. “Dale, please. You can’t—he’ll—” My voice cracks, but I don’t care. He knows exactly what my father would do if he thought I wasn’t taking my meds right.Dale watches me struggle, his lips twitching at the corners like he’s savoring it. He leans in slightly, voice dropping just enough to make sure I hear every damn word. “I can. And I will. You’re making my life harder, Sera. I told you the rules. I told you what happens if you don’t
Serena POVMy body trembles, the shakes making it harder to hold onto the handlebars as I ride. My vision blurs in and out, my skin crawling with that unbearable itch that only gets worse the longer I go without my pills. My thoughts slip in and out of focus, fragmented and disjointed, like pieces of a puzzle that won’t fit together. I don’t remember half the ride by the time I stop outside the house, my heart pounding against my ribs like it’s trying to break free.I barely get off my bike before I’m moving, legs unsteady as I push through the door. My breaths come fast, uneven. The world tilts for a second, but I ignore it, shoving past the few people lingering inside and taking the stairs two at a time. My hands shake as I reach his door, and I knock hard.“Dale!” My voice comes out rough, cracking on his name. No answer. I knock again, harder. “Please, Dale!”The door stays silent.“He left,” Joanne’s voice cuts through my panic, and I spin to face her, my stomach twisting.“What?
Jace POV“So she’s been close to death,” he muses, his voice softer now, almost admiring. “She’s witnessed it. Felt the fear of it. And at some point, she realized how alive it made her feel in that moment.”I shake my head. “No. Because she hasn’t. That’s the thing. There’s nothing. Not even a broken fucking bone,” I mutter. The frustration burns under my skin, because none of it makes sense.Rich leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his expression shifting—darker, something lurking behind his eyes that makes my spine go rigid.“You can face death and show no signs of it, Jace,” he murmurs, his voice too smooth, too knowing. “Death doesn’t have to be messy and loud. It can be calm while being completely fucking insane. It can be clean, but still leave blood in your mind that never washes off.”Something in my stomach knots as I watch him, the way his gaze sharpens, his fingers drumming idly against the desk like he’s enjoying the moment.“It can be a moment of pure terror,”
Jace POVWhen I wake up, I already know she's gone. The room feels different. The air feels empty.I walk through the apartment, glancing around, half-hoping I’ll find her still curled up somewhere, but she’s gone. A part of me expected it. Another part of me hoped she’d stay.Rubbing a hand down my face, I head for the kitchen, needing coffee to push away the exhaustion clinging to me. I barely slept, too wired, too focused on every word she said last night. I grab a cup, take a sip, and turn—then stop cold.My wallet is open. That sinking feeling hits hard, a slow burn in my gut as I move toward it. The cash is gone.She fucking didn’t. I grab it, flipping through, but it’s empty. Every single bill. She took it all.The anger comes fast, pulsing hot under my skin. I wasn’t expecting a damn thank you, but I also didn’t think she’d rob me the second my guard was down. My jaw clenches as I spot the note folded beside the wallet.I snatch it up, eyes scanning the messy scrawl.Sorry.So