Callum POV
The ride to the hotel is quiet, but I can feel her excitement radiating behind me. It’s infectious, pulling me from my dark thoughts for just a little while. When we reach the room, I take the dress from her and smile. “Get showered,” I say softly, kissing her forehead. “I need to make a quick call.”She nods and disappears into the bathroom. Watching her go, I feel a pang of guilt. She looks so carefree, so happy—and yet, she has no idea the storm I’ve been fighting to keep from her. This moment feels fragile, like it could shatter at any second.
As I step onto the balcony, phone in hand, I know one thing for certain. I can’t let her down again. Not tonight. Not ever.
When the shower begins to run, I turn my phone back on, scrolling past missed notifications before pressing Dante’s number. It rings only once before he answers.
“Have you considered this?” His voice is sharp,
Lilly POVCallum’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.
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
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.
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
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
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’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
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
Lilly POVCallum’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
Callum POVThe ride to the hotel is quiet, but I can feel her excitement radiating behind me. It’s infectious, pulling me from my dark thoughts for just a little while. When we reach the room, I take the dress from her and smile. “Get showered,” I say softly, kissing her forehead. “I need to make a quick call.”She nods and disappears into the bathroom. Watching her go, I feel a pang of guilt. She looks so carefree, so happy—and yet, she has no idea the storm I’ve been fighting to keep from her. This moment feels fragile, like it could shatter at any second.As I step onto the balcony, phone in hand, I know one thing for certain. I can’t let her down again. Not tonight. Not ever.When the shower begins to run, I turn my phone back on, scrolling past missed notifications before pressing Dante’s number. It rings only once before he answers.“Have you considered this?” His voice is sharp,
Callum POVHer answer feels like a punch to the gut, stealing the air from my lungs. “I thought we could leave,” I say, my voice trembling. “We could forget all of this, move somewhere better. Somewhere safe.” I wait, my chest tight with hope, praying she’ll change her mind.She stares at me, her expression softening into one of hurt. “The club is my life, Callum. If we move...I’d have nothing.”The words slice through me. “You have me,” I argue, my voice breaking. “You’d have me, and you wouldn’t have to live with this danger hanging over your head.”“That’s different,” she says, her voice rising slightly as she struggles to make me understand. “Luna is my friend. Dante is yours. That’s our home, our work, our everything.”“We can find new friends,” I reply, but the words feel hollow, even to me.She stares at me