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.
Dante POVI climb off the bed and throw on my trousers, storming out to my car. I open the trunk, grabbing the rope and duct tape I always have stashed in there. I’m done playing games. Marching back into the apartment, I see her eyes widen in fear as I approach the bed. “You’re coming with me,” I say, my voice cold and determined. “Whether you like it or not. I’m done with your idea of what I do.” She fights me, thrashing wildly, but it’s no use. Her screams are loud but I ignore them as well. I bind her wrists behind her back, securing the ropes tightly before tying her ankles together. Her protests are loud and desperate, but I’m beyond caring. I wrap her body in my shirt, covering her as much as I can. “Dante, this is insane! I’m bleeding, you can’t just take me like this!” she screams, her voice raw with terror. I rip a piece of duct tape from the roll and slap it over her mouth, silencing her. I gather my things, lifting her into my arms, and carry her out to the car, tossin
Luna’s POV Fury blazes through my veins, scorching me from the inside out. Every inch of my body feels like it’s vibrating with anger as Dante drags me through the dimly lit hallways, indifferent to my struggle. He doesn’t care—about my fear, my defiance, or my will. I’m nothing more than something for him to control, and the way he acts makes me want to scream. But the tape over my mouth keeps me silent, suffocating my rage. The elevator doors slide open, and when we step into the room, my stomach churns, an overwhelming sense of dread hitting me like a tidal wave. It’s worse than I could have imagined. The room is like some twisted dungeon—dark, sultry lighting, shadows dancing across the walls, soft red lights casting an eerie glow. My eyes scan the space, taking in the sight of a couple near the corner. A woman is bound to a St. Andrew’s cross, while a man and another woman caress her, their hands moving over her body like they’ve done it a thousand times. The sounds of moani
Luna POVThe heavy door swings open again, and a young woman walks in. My eyes widen in recognition. She’s striking, with features that are both delicate and fierce at the same time. She moves with a confidence that makes it hard to look away. As she steps closer, I recognize her face—not from here, but from the news, from headlines. “Luna, right?” she says, her voice smooth and self-assured, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I’m Candy. You might have seen me in the papers.” I nod, still trying to process what the hell is happening. Why is she here? After everything she’s been through, after everything I’ve read about her, why would someone like Candy choose to stay in a place like this? I try to speak, but the tape over my mouth silences me. My frustration boils over, and I roll my eyes, letting out a muffled groan. Candy watches me with an amused expression, gracefully lowering herself into a seat in front of me. She crosses her legs, completely at ease in this nightmare of a r
Luna POVI feel conflicted, like I’m stuck between two versions of Dante—the one I hate and the one they’re trying to show me. But how can I reconcile those things? I don’t know what to believe anymore. Lost in a maelstrom of conflicting emotions, I struggle to break free from the belief I’ve clung to for so long—that Dante was somehow just like the man responsible for my mother’s death. The thought has been my anchor, my way of surviving in a world that often felt too dark to understand. But now, faced with the man he is in front of me, clean and composed, it’s as though everything I thought I knew is unraveling. How do I reconcile this image of Dante—the protector, the savior of women—with the man I’ve spent years hating? Can I even begin to trust him? My gaze flickers around the room, desperate to escape the weight of my thoughts. It lands on a couple, their bodies entangled in raw, intimate acts, and I feel a mix of disgust and—God help me—curiosity. The realization that I’m si
Luna POV Without a word, Dante unties the ropes that bind me, his movements deliberate and rough. Before I can react, he hoists me over his shoulder like I’m nothing, carrying me effortlessly across the room. My body bounces with every step he takes, and I try to struggle, but he tightens his grip, his strength undeniable. Panic bubbles in my chest as I realize he’s taking me somewhere else—somewhere private, somewhere where there are no eyes to watch, to stop whatever he’s planning. My heart races, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear. As we leave the room and enter the hallway, I hear the sounds of pleasure behind us fading into the distance, replaced by the echo of our footsteps and the pounding of my heart. Whatever happens next, I know one thing for sure: this isn’t over. Not by a long shot. “You bastard!” I scream, pounding my fists into Dante’s back as he drags me into the elevator, my body writhing in a futile attempt to break free. His grip on me is
Dante’s POV I never intended to kidnap her. But here we are, and everything’s gone to shit. I’ve been so consumed by Luna, by my need to have her, that I didn’t see the bigger picture. I made a colossal mistake, and now it’s catching up with me. Justin was right there, in her apartment. All I had to do was handle the situation, put my fucking cock away, and think. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I wanted him to know she was mine—to shove it in his face. And that was beyond fucked up. Before, I wouldn't have, but these past few days, his silence, his possible connections to everything, made me hate him. The message I sent to Callum was no better. My head was wrapped up in Luna, in fucking her, in marking my territory, and I wasn’t thinking straight. The message was a jumbled mess, completely useless, so no one checked to see if Justin was hanging around her place. And now, I’m left picking up the pieces, wondering how the hell I missed everything that’s been going on. I’ve got someone t
Dante POVHe’s got a point, but I know better. “That didn’t upset her. What pissed her off was that I didn’t let her orgasm.” Callum rolls his eyes, laughing. “Of course. Typical.” “I should go check on her, make sure she hasn’t trashed the room,” I say, standing up. I make my way out of the office, up to the apartment.I walk through the room. Unlocking the door, I step into the dimly lit room where Luna’s supposed to be sleeping. As soon as I do, she screams, and before I can react, a lamp swings toward my head. I duck just in time, grabbing her around the waist and tackling her to the floor. She thrashes, but I hold her steady. “Doing a battle cry before swinging was your downfall,” I laugh, snatching the lamp out of her hand. “I want a fucking shower, you dick!” she yells, her eyes blazing with fury. I can’t help but lick my lips, leaning down to bite gently at her ear. “I’m not a dick, tiny demon, but I can give you one if you ask nicely.” I let my tongue trail down her nec
Callum 2 years earlierThe phone call ends, and I shove the last of my belongings into a battered duffel bag. There’s not much to pack; I’ve been living out of this bag for years, trying to outrun the weight of my past. But nothing makes a difference, not here. Not anywhere. This place was supposed to be a fresh start, but it’s as hollow as every other attempt. Maybe these new clubs will be different. Maybe this will be the answer.For over fifteen years, I’ve been trying to find a way to fix the fucked-up situation my mother and sister were trapped in. To help women who’ve been dragged through the same hell. And finally, I think I’ve found it—or at least the beginning of it.The streets are quiet as I head toward the train station, my boots scuffing against the pavement. The early hour cloaks the world in a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional hum of a distant car. It’s better this way. I need the quiet to figure out my next move. This guy—Dante—is a mystery. All I know is th
Lilly - 4 Years EarlierAndrew leans back in the driver’s seat, his cold eyes cutting through me like a knife. He nods toward the dark, narrow alleyway ahead, a place that reeks of danger and despair. I hesitate, gripping the edge of the car seat as though it might save me. His glare sharpens, slicing through my resolve like glass shattering against stone.“You can run,” he says, his voice dripping with venomous mockery. “Go ahead.” A twisted grin spreads across his face. “Try it. I won’t even chase you.”His finger brushes against my cheek, slow and deliberate, sending bile surging up my throat. I flinch, my breath hitching, but I can’t move. His presence is suffocating, every word laced with malice, every touch a violation.“You say that, but…” My voice cracks, the words dying in my throat.“But your little sister would make the perfect replacement, wouldn’t she?” His voice drops to a whisper, each word coiling around me like a noose. “She’s got that fiery red hair, just like you.”
This is the start of Lilly and Callum's storyCallum - 18 Years OldWaking up feels like clawing my way out of a grave. My body is leaden, pinned to the sagging mattress by the weight of something I can’t name. The air reeks of sweat, stale smoke, and something sour—vomit maybe, or the leftovers of another night wasted in this filthy room. Everything around me is a distorted blur, like looking through cracked glass. The dim light from the cracked blinds barely cuts through the haze, illuminating the chaos I’ve surrounded myself with—empty bottles, burned foil, crumpled syringes, and piles of clothes that haven’t seen a wash in weeks.This time, it’s different. I can feel it in my bones, in the way my heart races and my skin crawls as if there are a thousand invisible insects burrowing under my flesh. I’ve woken up after bad trips before—dozens of times, maybe hundreds. Every time, I’ve brushed myself off, forced my way through the fog, and found my way back to the poison that put me t
Luna POVI toss the pregnancy test down, feeling a wave of relief, but something still gnaws at me. It doesn’t feel real. I pace the room like a madwoman, while Lilly sits there, laughing like this is all some comedy show.“You know it’s over 99% accurate, right? Not 100%” she says, smirking. “Well, in real life it’s more like 92% because, let’s face it, most people don’t know how to use them properly.”I shoot her a death glare. “I take my pill at the exact same time every damn day!” I throw my hands up, and she only laughs harder, clearly entertained by my spiral.“Maybe it’s just wedding stress making you late?” she shrugs, but I can’t buy that. I’ve been way more stressed than this before and my period never played hide and seek like this.“It said ‘not pregnant,’ Luna. Why are you still on this rampage?” she teases, eyes sparkling with amusement.“Until I see actual blood, I will remain on this rampage!” I shout, pacing even faster.Lilly leans back, laughing. “So I take it you d
Dante POVI reach out and gently tilt her chin up so she’s looking directly at me. “Why do you think I haven’t brought up anal?” I ask, my voice soft but firm. “I saw how your body tensed when Justin casually mentioned it once. I knew immediately it was a hard limit for you.”Her cheeks flush, and I laugh. “Am I wrong?” I ask, though I already know the answer.She looks around, embarrassed, and shakes her head.“I also noticed you skip those parts in your books—the ones with anal scenes. You couldn’t even read about it without discomfort.” I grin, feeling a little self-conscious about how deeply I’ve studied her, but it’s important she knows. “And when you say ‘no’ or ‘stop’ but you don’t really mean it, your lip curls up, just a little. You try to hide it, but you fail every time. It’s a dead giveaway.”She rolls her eyes, laughing. “Okay, so you know my body better than I do.”“Exactly. And you really need to stop smirking when you’re being a brat,” I tease, winking at her.“It’s ha
Dante POVBut I’m not done. There’s more—worse. “Luna,” I say, pausing to brace myself for what I know is going to break her. “Lucy… she wasn’t your sister. She wasn’t even your mother’s child. She was kidnapped as a baby and brought into Brian’s world.”The color drains from Luna’s face, her eyes widening in disbelief. “No,” she breathes, shaking her head. “No, I remember my mom was pregnant. I remember her. I remember the baby. They called her Abigail... Abi.”I close my eyes for a moment, hating what I have to say next. “That baby, Abigail, died, Luna. There are records to prove it. You weren’t born in a hospital, so you were never officially registered, but Abigail was. She had complications during birth so they had to go to hospital. When she died a few weeks later, Brian knew it would cause an investigation. That’s when he took someone else’s baby—Lucy—and raised her as Abigail.”Her face contorts with pain as the truth sinks in. Her eyes dart around the room like she’s searchin
Dante’s POVI reach over, grabbing the book from the table and handing it to her. “Page 231, right? That’s where you left off,” I say, smiling down at her. She gets comfortable, snuggling into my lap as she flips open to the page. A small, exaggerated yawn escapes her lips before she peers up at me with a playful grin.“Read to me,” she says, her eyes sparkling with that mischievous glint I’ve come to love.I sigh softly, knowing I can’t resist her when she asks like that. Nodding, I start reading aloud, the words flowing easily. She holds the book steady while I keep one hand possessively cupping her breast, the other resting between her thighs, teasing her gently. I can feel her pulse quicken under my touch, her hips subtly shifting, seeking more friction.I want to stay like this—wrapped up in her warmth, feeling her respond to me—but there’s too much unsaid between us. As much as I crave this moment, I know we can’t avoid the conversation any longer. There’s something bigger I nee
Luna POVI walk over to the shelves, scanning the titles, my fingers running over the spines of the books. There are so many—books I’ve been meaning to read, some of my favorites, and even a few I hadn’t gotten around to buying yet. I pick up one of the newer books and turn to him. “How did you even know which ones to get?” Dante leans against the doorframe, smirking. “I pay attention to what you read. Plus, I asked a few people for recommendations. Lilly gave Callum a whole list of books.” I shake my head, still in awe. “You’re unbelievable.” “And you’re worth it,” he replies, his voice low, but the sincerity in it makes my heart skip a beat. Stepping closer to him, I place the book back on the shelf and close the distance between us. “You know,” I say, resting my hands on his chest, “this space might be perfect, but it’s still missing one thing.” He arches an eyebrow, playing along. “Oh? And what’s that?” “You,” I whisper, rising on my toes to press a soft kiss to his lips.
Luna POVI can’t help but jump up, rushing over to scoop up Little Bear from Callum’s arms. I plop back onto the bed, cuddling the puppy. “Erm… I’m going to walk back out and come in again. Let’s try that welcome one more time,” Dante grumbles, walking out, which makes me burst into laughter. He walks back in, and I shoot him a confused look just to mess with him. “Unbelievable. The damn puppy gets a better welcome than I do,” he mutters, and everyone laughs. I move quickly, planting a kiss on his lips. “I was joking,” I say with a grin. “No, you weren’t. You ran for the puppy, not me,” he grumbles. “I’ve seen you more recently than the puppy,” I tease, and he can’t help but nod, giving in. “Okay, we need to talk,” Dante says, taking a seat beside Callum, who’s settled down as well. I glance between them nervously. “Whatever I did, I was drunk,” I joke, raising my hands in mock defense. Lilly, catching on, joins in, laughing. “Yeah, same. I was drunk too.” “Relax, you’re not i