Jace POVI stare at the both of them, my brain struggling to process what I just walked into.“You know what?” I exhale, shaking my head. “I don’t even want to know what the next round was gonna be.”Rich smirks. “I think we were heading toward human sacrifice, honestly.”I don’t laugh, because deep down, I fully believe he’s not joking.I stare at Rich, who is still comfortably on all fours, looking way too okay with the fact that he just admitted to being Serena’s pet. Then I look at Serena, who is still wiping tears from her eyes, laughing like this is the best night of her life.Exhaling slowly, I cross my arms. “So let me get this straight.”Rich grins. “Please, recap. I’d love to hear how this sounds coming from you.”I shoot him a glare before continuing. “Serena licked a wall. You drew a dick on her face. She made you kneel at her feet like a servant. Then she drank something that probably should’ve been illegal. And now, you’re crawling around my penthouse, barking.”Serena s
Jace POVThe second the door closes behind him, Serena flops onto her side, smirking at me. “You’re jealous.”I stare at her. “Of what?”She grins. “Rich crawling around half naked in front of me.”“I was more confused than anything.”She raises a brow, clearly not believing me. “Mhm.”I grab her ankle, pulling her toward me suddenly, making her yelp. “You think I’m worried about Rich?” I shake my head. “You’re mine, Serena. Always have been.”Her smirk softens, something deeper flickering in her expression. “I know.”I release her ankle, watching as she shifts closer, resting her chin on my shoulder.“So,” she muses, “what do we do now?”Smirking, I wrap an arm around her waist. “I think I’m about to remind you exactly why you don’t need anyone else.”Her breath hitches, but she doesn’t look away. “Sounds fair.”I nod. “Revenge for all the stupidity I just witnessed.”She laughs softly, pressing closer. “Then I guess I lose this round too.”I smirk against her skin. “You definitely d
Jace POVLifting her arms, I wrap the belt around her wrists, securing them against the headboard with slow, deliberate movements, watching her reaction the entire time. Her breath catches, but she doesn’t fight it, doesn’t try to pull away. She likes this, giving up control, letting me take it.Leaning down, I kiss her slowly, deeply, hands dragging down her sides, over the curves of her body. She shivers beneath my touch, every muscle tensed with anticipation.Pushing myself up, I unbutton my jeans, kicking them off without breaking eye contact. Her gaze drops, tracking the movement, tongue darting out to wet her lips as she takes me in.A chuckle rumbles in my throat. “Like what you see?”She lifts her chin, smirking. “I’ve had better.”A slow grin spreads across my face. “Oh, firefly. That’s the last mistake you’re making tonight.”Hooking my hands beneath her thighs, I yank her further down the bed, aligning myself perfectly against her soaked core. She gasps, a sharp, needy soun
Jace POVGripping her hips, I lift her, and position her over me, watching the way her expression shifts, the way her breath stutters as she realizes what’s about to happen.Her fingers press against my chest for balance, her body trembling as she lowers herself down, taking me inside her again. A sharp gasp leaves her lips, her nails digging into my skin.Smirking, my grip tightening on her hips. “Ride me.”Her breath is shaky, her muscles weak, but she listens.I lean back, watching her struggle, watching the way her body twitches from exhaustion, but she keeps moving.“Pathetic,” I mutter, gripping her waist tighter, forcing her down harder, and deeper.She cries out, her body clenching around me.I groan, dragging my nails down her spine, feeling every tremor, every desperate moan, every sign of submission. She belongs to me, and I won’t stop until she forgets her time with Rich.Serena trembles in my lap, barely able to keep herself upright. Her fingers clutch at my shoulders, he
Jace POVHer eyes are barely focused, her hands trembling as they reach for me, but she doesn’t even have the strength to hold on. She’s still trying, still desperate to take more, even though she has nothing left to give.I smirk, gripping her jaw, tilting her face up, forcing her to look at me. “Look at you,” I mock, my fingers digging into her cheeks, feeling the way her breath stutters against my skin. “You can barely fucking think, can you?”A weak, broken whimper slips from her lips, her body twitching beneath me, but she doesn’t deny it. She can’t. There’s nothing left of her but the mess I’ve turned her into.“You wanted this,” I murmur, dragging my free hand down her body, across her ribs, over her stomach, feeling the way she shudders under my touch. “You wanted me to fuck you. And now look at you, shaking, ruined, completely fucking wrecked.”She gasps softly when my fingers slide between her legs, brushing against her soaked, swollen clit, teasing her, making her whimper a
Serena POVA door closing pulls me from my sleep, my body is numb and exhausted. I watch as Jace walks in, strips off his clothes, and climbs into bed.“Wait, you left me in this room?” I mutter. When he finally gave up fucking me, he carried me into his room, and there’s no lock on this door.“You weren’t about to get energy and run, go back to sleep.” He grips me and pulls me against his body. He looks a mess, so I know he’s not been to sleep yet. Did he really go and work after I fell asleep?I want to ask, but he’s already asleep. Now though, I’m awake. Sliding out of his hold, I walk to the bathroom and shower. Then I go through the apartment and get food.Hours pass by as I try to keep myself busy, but the longer I’m alone, the more my mind has time to race with things, and I hate it. Slipping on shoes, I leave the apartment and get in the lift. I press all the buttons. One at a time, and none work. They all flash, needing a card. Well, except for the room that leads to the offi
Serena POVA loud, solid thud echoes from the bar, and I glance over mid-spin just in time to see Rich slam his forehead against the countertop, his drink rattling from the impact.I burst out laughing, gripping the pole to steady myself as I watch him stay there for a second, like he’s fully accepted his fate, like he’s actually mourning his own impending death.Finally, he lifts his head, his expression blank, defeated, before turning his gaze toward me. And then, he flips me off.I lose it, my laughter breaking past the music, the moment so ridiculously perfect that I nearly slide right off the pole.Still holding his middle finger in the air, he takes his drink, downs the rest of it in one go, and slams the empty glass onto the bar.I grin at him, flipping him off back, still spinning, still completely unbothered.Rich just shakes his head, muttering under his breath. “I’m so fucking dead.”I spin on the pole one last time before hopping down, sauntering back to the bar like I did
Jace POVShe stands in front of me, completely unbothered, while I’m still trying to calm the storm raging inside me. I woke up and she was gone. That thought alone nearly made me tear through the entire damn city looking for her.I force my breath to steady, but the tension in my chest stays tight, too tight. My hands flex at my sides as I stare her down, waiting for the explanation I already know won’t satisfy me.Serena blinks up at me, her expression casual, like I didn’t just nearly lose my mind thinking she’d run again.“You’re freaking out,” she states, tilting her head slightly.I exhale sharply, my jaw ticking. “Yeah, no shit.”Rich, the dumbass who somehow let this happen, clears his throat from his seat on the couch, lazily swirling his drink like he’s trying to act like this is none of his business.“To be fair,” he says, “she didn’t run, so you technically owe me an apology for the look of pure homicide you shot me when you walked in.”My gaze snaps to him, sharp and leth
“Hey.” I cup his face in my hands, my thumbs brushing over his cheekbones. “You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to carry everyone. We’re okay. I’m okay.”He looks at me, his eyes searching mine, and I can see the walls he usually keeps up start to lower. He doesn’t say anything, just holds me tighter, his fingers splayed against my back like he’s afraid to let go.“You’ve been my everything,” I whisper, my voice catching. “You saved me when I thought I couldn’t be saved. And I’ll never stop loving you for that.”He closes his eyes and leans his forehead against mine. “You’re the reason I keep going,” he murmurs. “You’re everything, firefly. You always have been.”The way he says it, the raw honesty in his voice, makes my throat tighten. I slide my hands down to his shoulders, holding him as close as I can. “I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”For a long moment, we just sit there, holding each other in the middle of the noise and laughter of the party. It’s like the r
Serena POVThe music thumps lightly in the background as I sit on one of the plush couches in the corner of the reception hall, leaning back against the soft cushions. People are milling about, laughing, drinking, swaying to the music under the warm glow of fairy lights. It’s the end of the weekend, the final night of all the chaos and celebrations, and while I should be tired, I’m not. There’s a relaxed energy in the air, a sense of satisfaction that everything went off perfectly.Rich flops down beside me, a glass of something amber in his hand, and he’s grinning like a cat who just stole the cream. He stretches his legs out, looking entirely too pleased with himself, and I can’t help but laugh.“What’s that smug look for?” I nudge his arm.“Smug? Me? I don’t know what you’re talking about, sunshine.” He takes a long sip of his drink, his grin never fading. “I’m just happy. Look around, Dante’s hitched, Callum’s married, and no one set the place on fire. That’s what I call a win.”I
Jace POV“Oh, come on,” Dante presses, still grinning. “You don’t think it’s a little weird how you two always seem to know everything about each other? Like, everything.”Callum chimes in, shaking his head with a smirk. “I mean, it’s impressive, don’t get me wrong. But it’s also kinda suspicious. Like, how close are you two, really?”Rich leans back in his chair, spreading his arms. “What can I say? Jace and I just have that connection. Isn’t that right, Jace?”“Cut it out, Rich,” I snap, though I can feel the heat creeping into my face. It’s not that they’re serious, they’re just fucking with me, but the teasing is relentless.“Relax,” Dante says, raising his hands in mock surrender. “It’s not like we’re judging. We’re just saying… You two are close. Like, really close.”“Nothing wrong with that,” Callum adds, his grin widening. “In fact, it’s kind of sweet. You guys trust each other. You share things. Intimate things, apparently.”“Intimate my ass,” I grumble, grabbing a piece of t
Jace POVI watch her disappear into the bathroom, the sheet trailing behind her. As soon as the door closes, I lean back against the headboard, running a hand through my hair. “What the hell, Rich?” I grumble, turning my glare on him.He’s standing there with a coffee cup in one hand and a mischievous grin that I’m too tired to deal with. “You’re welcome for not barging in earlier,” he says, handing me the cup.I take it, wrapping both hands around it, and let the warmth sink in. “You could have waited a little longer. Or, I don’t know, knocked before coming back in.”“Where’s the fun in that?” He slumps into the armchair in the corner, watching me with that unshakable smirk. “You’re way too easy to mess with in the morning.”I take a long sip of coffee before responding. “I was already hungover. Now I’m just annoyed.”“Annoyed is better than dead, and I like living, so…” Rich trails off, still grinning. “Besides, you wouldn’t kill me. You like having me around too much.”I groan, but
Serena POVI nuzzle closer to Jace, his arm tightening around me as I try to relax again. The warmth of his body against mine is soothing, and for a moment, I think I might actually drift off. But then Rich lets out a soft mumble from the floor, his words indistinct but definitely audible.“Goddammit,” Jace mutters under his breath. “I knew it. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep with him here.”I tug him closer, resting my head on his chest. “Shh,” I whisper, pressing a soft kiss to his jaw. “He’s not that loud. Just try.”He sighs, his hand running down my back as if to settle me. “Firefly…”“Try,” I repeat, pulling him in even tighter.He doesn’t reply, but I can feel him relax, his breathing evening out against mine. After a moment, the room quiets again, except for Rich’s occasional muttering. But Jace doesn’t say anything else. Instead, he rests his chin against my head, holding me close. His steady breathing finally lulls me back into sleep, and soon I fall asleep again.Waking
Serena POVI’m maybe a little drunk, but not that drunk. Hugging Luna and Lilly, I walk out and head to the place I’m staying with Jace. As soon as I step inside, I throw myself onto the bed.Not long after, the door opens and Jace walks in. He gives me a lopsided smile and makes his way over, collapsing onto the bed beside me.I kiss him softly, smiling. “Have fun?”He mumbles something unintelligible, which just makes me laugh.“So much for not drinking much,” I say, nudging him with a smirk.“Blame Dante,” he groans. “He gave me the shots.”I raise a brow. “Dante? Wait, so this wasn’t Rich? I’m shocked. Did he actually behave for a change?”Jace rubs his face and lets out a long groan. “He’s probably more sober than I am. Don’t ask me how.”Yep, he’s wasted. Shaking my head, I climb off the bed and help him sit up so I can get his clothes off. His smile grows wider as I tug at his shirt.“No,” I warn, “don’t get any ideas. You need sleep or you’ll look like death at the wedding tom
Serena POVI can’t help but laugh, shaking my head as I think about it. I never thought a book like this would make me feel, well, anything beyond shock. “But still,” I say, flipping back to the scene where Dominic starts breaking down, “this guy spent his whole life preaching about purity. Then the devil shows up, and suddenly it’s all out the window.”“That’s the beauty of it,” Lilly says. “It’s not sudden at all. The cracks were always there. The devil just gave him a push.”The more we talk, the more I find myself leaning in. The details they’re pointing out, the way they’re pulling apart each character’s motives, I can’t look away. Even when the conversation shifts to the dark, twisted scenes I would’ve written off before, I’m still right there, asking questions, offering my own thoughts. I don’t even notice how much time has passed until Luna mentions needing another drink.By then, I’m not just listening. I’m in it, flipping pages, debating over whether Dominic had any real cho
Serena POVI walk into the room and my eyes immediately land on Lilly and Luna. We’ve done a few video calls together before, but seeing them in person is different. Luna is the first to react, springing up from her seat and coming straight over to pull me into a hug.Luna introduces me to the others, pointing out a few names as we walk further into the room. A small group of women sit in a circle of couches and chairs, chatting quietly. They each give a friendly wave or nod, and I offer a polite smile in return. Luna explains who’s who, though I’m not sure I’ll remember everyone’s name by the end of the night.Meanwhile, Lilly is still in her chair, completely absorbed in a book. She hasn’t even glanced up since I came in. It’s not until Luna calls her name that she finally looks over. Her face lights up when she sees me, and she closes her book carefully before coming over and giving me a warm hug.“Finally! You’re here,” Lilly says with a grin. “We were starting to think you’d gott
Jace POVRich leans back, shaking his head. “Man, it’s crazy to think how far we’ve come. From that cramped, shitty apartment to this. And through it all, you’ve still managed to put up with my crap.”“Barely,” I say with a smirk. “You’re not exactly easy to deal with, you know.”Rich grins, leaning forward again, resting his chin on his hand. “Yeah, but you’d be bored without me. Admit it.”I roll my eyes, but I’m laughing now. “Fine. Maybe a little.”“Damn right,” he says with a wink.Rich’s grin softens just slightly as he swirls the remaining whiskey in his glass. “You know, Jace,” he says, his voice lower now, almost contemplative. “You’ve always been the steady one. Even when we were broke, when everything felt like it was falling apart. You never lost your cool.”I huff out a laugh. “You sure about that? Because I remember a few nights where I definitely lost my shit. Especially when you kept betting more than we had.”“But you always kept us out of real trouble,” Rich counters