Lilly POV
Callum’s hands are warm on my waist, his lips brushing my temple as he smiles down at me, but there’s something lingering beneath the surface. His smile is genuine, but his eyes betray him—there’s fear there, buried deep, a weight he hasn’t shared with me yet. I want to press him, to ask what’s gnawing at him, but I hold back. Whatever it is, it’s eating at him, and I can’t add to that burden.
He told me about his daughter, a bombshell revelation that left me reeling. The way he spoke about it, so hesitant, so broken, made it clear just how much it’s tearing him apart. Callum has spent his life protecting women, shielding them from danger. Now, out of the blue, he discovers he has a daughter? It must feel like the ground has been ripped out from under him.
“You look amazing,” he says, tilting his head as he studies me with a playful smirk. “And tall.”
I laugh softly an
Lilly POVI shift slightly in my seat, the hem of my skirt sliding higher as I move. My fingers glide over the fabric, slipping underneath as I hook them around the edge of my thong. Slowly, deliberately, I slide it down my legs, the soft material brushing against my skin. It drops to my feet, and I lean down just enough to lift it discreetly, careful not to draw attention.He’s deep in conversation, oblivious to what I’m doing. His words are background noise, meaningless compared to the thrill racing through me. My heart pounds as I glance around, confirming no one’s watching. Leaning forward across the table, I catch his attention, his curious gaze locking onto me.“Lilly?” he asks, his head tilting slightly in confusion.Without a word, I reach out and slip my thong into the pocket of his jacket. His eyes follow my movements, widening as realization dawns. His mouth falls open slightly, his breath hitching.“We
Callum’s POVEverything spiraled in the blink of an eye. One moment, Lilly was clinging to me, her soft cries filling the night as her body trembled with pleasure. The next, she stiffened, her entire frame went rigid as if she’d been struck by lightning. I stepped back instantly, hands raised, unsure of what happened—but then she screamed.It’s a sound I’ll never forget—raw, terrified, like she was trapped in some unseen nightmare. My heart lurched. I shouted her name, but she thrashed wildly, her fists pounding the air as if fighting off something only she could see.All I want to do is wrap my arms around her, to calm her down and reassure her that everything is okay, but these three men appear out of nowhere, and they won’t budge.“Lilly!” I shout her name, trying to break through the chaos, but one of the guys has his hands on her, leading her out of the alleyway. “Move!” I yell, shovin
Callum POVWhen I reach the hotel, I lay her gently on the bed, her soft breaths hitching only slightly as I strip away her clothes and tuck her beneath the covers. I can’t stop myself from brushing her hair back, my fingers lingering on her face as I take her in. She looks so small, so vulnerable, and it’s my fault. I should have known better.Stripping off my own clothes, I climb into bed beside her. My arms wrap around her instinctively, pulling her close as I bury my face in her hair. Sleep evades me entirely, my thoughts running in relentless circles. I can’t stop replaying the events of the night. I ruined it. I let my own arrogance and recklessness hurt her.Tonight was my fault. How the fuck didn’t I think? I found her in that alley, vulnerable and exposed—I should’ve known better. I should’ve stopped it before it began.This is on me, every single part of it. Nothing I do can erase what happened tonig
Callum POV“Look,” I start, my voice hard. “You’re not going to tell them. If you do, you’ll have nothing left to hold over me. So, what’s your aim here? What the hell do you want?”She spins around, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her expression venomous. “How was your date with Lilly?” she snaps, her tone dripping with mockery.I freeze. “What?” My voice is low, a warning. Is she out of her damn mind?“Oh, come on, Callum. You vanish, and I’m supposed to believe it wasn’t to go running back to her? Did you two have fun?” Her words are laced with venom, her smirk daring me to react.“You don’t know where I was or what I was doing,” I growl, my patience fraying fast. “Answer me—what is your aim? Because you’re not going to tell them about Lilly.”Her laugh is sharp, cutting. “No? Am I not?” S
Lilly’s POVThe rain drums softly against the window, a steady rhythm that does little to calm the storm brewing inside me. I stare at my reflection, watching the raindrops race down the glass. Everything feels off. The apartment is too quiet, too still, and the absence of Callum’s presence makes the silence deafening.I tug my cardigan tighter around me, trying to fight the chill that creeps through my body. It’s not just the cold. It’s everything—the weight of the past few days, the lingering fear, the confusion swirling in my mind.Callum.I can’t stop thinking about him. The way his eyes darken when he’s angry, the way he’s always there, steady and strong, even when I’m spiraling. But there’s something else, too—something that’s been eating away at me for days. His distance. The way he shuts down whenever I try to talk about anything serious. And I know I should confront him, but
Lilly POVI rush down to the changing rooms, my body on autopilot. The other women and men are laughing and talking, their voices a distant hum in my ears. I fix my makeup, force a smile, and push everything down. I’ve been strong before. I can be strong now.“Lilly,” Jane calls from the door, snapping me back to reality. “Mr. Emerson said he’ll be another fifteen minutes.”I nod, trying to steady my breathing. Good. Fifteen minutes to compose myself, to push down the hurt and betrayal clawing at my insides. I need to get through this night. I need to be professional, even if everything inside me is screaming.When the fifteen minutes pass, I step out of the room, my mind blank as I approach the door. I try to prepare myself for another session with Mr. Emerson, the regular who always looks forward to our time together. But something feels off.I light the candles, trying to create the familiar ambiance. “Mr.
Callum POVI watch her as Luna runs out of the room to go to work, when in fact, it's to avoid me. Every ounce of frustration and guilt weighing down on me like a ton of bricks. Everything feels like it’s crumbling. I’m doing everything I can to protect her, to keep her past buried where it belongs, but it’s like every decision I make is pulling us further apart.Sighing, I head down to the office. Dante looks up at me as soon as I step in.“She knows?” he asks, his voice low and direct.I nod, slumping into a chair. “Not everything, just that I was with Sasha,” I admit, my voice barely audible. “But it’s enough. I’m going to lose her, aren’t I? Either to her past, or because she’ll hate me for what I’ve done.” Every damn decision I’ve made is pushing us closer to the edge.“I told you to give her a choice, Callum,” Dante says, his tone stern but n
Callum POVJust as I’m about to move in for another hit, Dante wraps his arms around me, pulling me back.“Callum, stop,” he hisses, dragging me away from Andrew. “We need answers first. If you want to let him go so you can hunt him down and kill him later, fine. But you can’t kill him yet. Not until we get what we need.”My chest heaves, my breathing ragged as I stare down at the bleeding, gasping mess in front of me. He’s right. I need answers.We drag Andrew to a chair, tying him down with thick ropes that bite into his wrists and ankles. He’s bleeding from the gash on his face, and his breath comes in ragged gasps, but his eyes are defiant, mocking even. He’s not afraid. Not yet.I pace in front of him, my blood boiling, the weight of the blade in my hand a comfort. He refuses to talk, not a single word slipping from his mouth. His jaw clenched, eyes daring me to make the first move.Da
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
Lilly POV Callum leans over me, his breath hot against my ear. “Remember, you can stop this at any time. But I don’t think you want to, do you?”I shake my head, words failing me as anticipation builds.He straightens, retrieving something from a nearby table. When he returns to my field of vision, I see he’s holding a feather in one hand and a wartenberg wheel in the other. “Let’s see how long you can stay quiet,” he says with a wicked grin.The feather traces delicate patterns across my skin, followed by the prickling sensation of the wheel. The contrasting sensations drive me wild, and I bite my lip to keep from crying out. Callum works methodically, covering every inch of exposed skin, occasionally dipping to more sensitive areas.Just when I think I can’t take anymore, he sets the implements aside. “You’re doing so well,” he praises, running a hand along my inner thigh. “I think you’ve earned a reward.”He signals to someone in the crowd, and a woman steps forward. She’s statue
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