Luna POVI haven’t slept at all. My mind won’t let me. When he said he would finally show me who he was, I was so happy, thinking I’d finally see the man behind the mask—the one I had imagined, the one I had built up in my mind. But then reality crashed down on me like a wave.It was Dante.Dante.The one person I despise. The one man who never crossed my mind as a possibility in these past six months of being stalked. The moment his voice slipped, revealing that thick Scottish accent, I didn’t even need to see his face to know it was him. That was when everything shattered for me, long before he even took off the mask. That’s why I begged him not to do it—not to make it real. I knew it was Dante, and seeing him would only solidify that nightmare.I didn’t want it to be real. I didn’t want to face the fact that the man who read to me at night, who treated me so gently, was him. Dante, the one I hated. And now, how can I even process this? He’s Justin’s best friend, the one person who
Luna POV“Babes, give me my trousers, please,” Justin’s voice cuts through the silence, sharp and casual, as if nothing is wrong, as if he didn’t spend last night doing God knows what. There's no way he was working.I sigh, walking across the room, grabbing his trousers from the chair. But as I lift them, something falls out—a small, crumpled packet. My stomach twists as I pick it up, my eyes locking onto the empty condom wrapper. A cold wave of dread crashes over me. I shouldn’t care, not after everything that’s happened, not after what I’ve gone through with my stalker. But I do care. I care too much.“What’s this?” I ask, holding it up, my voice low but steady, my gaze never leaving his face. I see it immediately—the flicker of humour, the hesitation before he speaks. He’s about to lie. I know it.“Don’t do that, Justin. Don’t fucking lie,” I say, my voice growing sharper.He leans against the doorframe, sighing as if this is just a minor inconvenience. “An empty condom wrapper,” h
Dante POVAfter talking with Lucy and sending out a few messages, I finally crash into bed. It’s been over twenty-four hours since I last slept, and everything about my life has shifted since Luna entered it. My routine used to be consistent—work nights, keep the women here safe, try to protect those on the street, handle the business. But now, it feels like I’m chasing shadows, digging through Luna’s past, trying to piece together the puzzle of who she really is.Tonight has been especially long. I’ve been chasing dead ends, trying to find out the truth about her mother’s death and who her father is. It’s like she never existed—no record of her birth, no trace of her past. According to the system, Luna—or Lena—was never born. It’s as if she vanished before she even had a chance to live. In some twisted way, it’s a good thing for her, but it makes my job harder. She clearly went to great lengths to disappear. That means those from her past won't find her easily.What’s more unsettling
Dante POVDriving over, I feel the weight of everything that’s been happening lately press down on me, but I push it aside. I just need to see her, to talk to her, to make sure she knows I’m not giving up. When I get to her apartment, I walk straight to her door and knock. I wait, but there’s no response. After a few moments, I knock again, this time calling out, “Luna, it’s me.”I hear movement inside, but nothing happens. No footsteps approaching, no voice, just silence. I sigh and pull out the key, trying to unlock the door, but the key doesn’t fit. A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as I lean my forehead against the door. Of course, she’s running. She’s trying to shut me out.But she’s not escaping that easily.I walk around the side of the apartment, trying to catch a glimpse through the windows, but the curtains are drawn. Luna never used to close the curtains, not like this. She’s definitely shutting me out. Frustration simmers beneath the surface, but I force myself to wal
Luna POVI can feel his gaze burning into me, and I hate it. I hate the way he’s looking at me right now, as if he’s already won—like he’s always had control. I should have known he was waiting outside, waiting for the exact moment I opened the door, and now here he is, standing right in front of me.“I’d be lying if I said no,” Dante replies, his voice calm but with an underlying edge that sends a shiver down my spine.I want to tell him to leave, to demand it, but before the words can even form, he steps closer, invading what little space was left between us. His gaze locks onto mine, and I feel trapped. If I just focus on his eyes, I can pretend—pretend that it’s my stalker, not Dante standing here. It’s easier to deal with him as a faceless fantasy, not as the man who I hate with every part of me.“You need to stop running from me, Luna,” his voice is soft, but the command is there, thick and forceful. “I’m not letting you disappear. Not anymore.”My entire body goes rigid. He doe
Luna POV“Good girl,” he murmurs, his voice shifting into that deep, seductive tone that made my skin tingle months ago. “Now, fucking strip.” A shiver runs down my spine, and before I can stop myself, my hands move. My clothes fall to the floor one by one, the sensation of vulnerability washing over me as I stand there, naked, with Dante—no, my stalker—watching me. As the last piece of clothing hits the ground, he grips my hand, pulling me over to the bed. He sits down, yanking me over his knee, my body trembling as the familiar sense of control slips away. “You’ve been bad, little deer,” he growls, his hand slamming down hard on my ass. I whimper, the sting sharp and immediate. “Changing the locks on the door,” he continues, spanking me again. The sting lingers, heat radiating from my skin. I bite back a whimper as he strikes again. “Closing the curtains, hiding from me so I can't see you sleep,” he growls, each word punctuated by the sharp crack of his hand against my flesh. I
Dante POV As soon as I get back to the club, exhaustion pulls me toward my apartment. I barely manage to strip off my jacket before collapsing onto the bed, desperate for sleep. I need to be up during the day tomorrow. I need to watch for Justin around Luna. But just as I begin to drift off, a knock at the door pulls me back. Groaning, I stumble over to the door, swinging it open to find Callum standing there, his face serious. “Now what?” I mutter, annoyed. “It’s during the day. What could possibly be wrong during the day?” Callum steps past me without hesitation, sitting down and placing a file on the table. “We found something you might want to know—didn’t think it could wait.” I grab the papers from the file, irritation giving way to curiosity. As soon as I see the picture, I freeze. The woman in the photo isn’t Luna, but the resemblance is unmistakable. “The age was wrong,” Callum explains. “Luna’s mother wasn’t twenty-one when she had her—she was seventeen. That’s why we di
Dante POVI shift, rising above her, my body hovering over hers, feeling her breathless heat. My lips crash against hers in a fierce, bruising kiss as I thrust myself into her in one swift motion. Her back arches beneath me, her hands clawing at my shoulders, digging into my skin as I fuck her harder, faster, deeper. Her moans are muffled against my mouth as I claim her, my tongue exploring her mouth, matching the rhythm of my hips as we both race toward the edge of madness. Her nails rake down my back, sending a flash of pain that only heightens my pleasure. I growl against her lips, the primal need to possess her completely consuming every rational thought. Her body responds to every movement, her hips meeting mine with an urgency that drives me wild. I can feel her pulse against me, her heart hammering in sync with mine, as if our bodies are communicating in a language only we understand. Grasping her chin, I tilt her head back, staring down at her, but her eyes are still closed.
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