Dante’s POVI need to do something special for her. Something that will make her smile again, something that will remind her that someone out there actually cares. This small apartment feels suffocating as I pace around, each step echoing the tension that’s been growing inside me since last night. Every corner of this place has traces of her—her scent, her touch, her presence. But what I can’t shake from my mind is the look she gave him this morning, the same frustrated expression she wore last night but somehow deeper, more painful. It’s like it carved itself into my memory.It wasn’t just about Justin, though. Yeah, he didn’t leave like he usually does after their nights together, and that definitely added to her frustration. It messed with her routine. Normally, she’d get some time to herself, time to unwind, to just be without him looming over her. But today? No. Today, she was stuck with him. She never got that time to escape, to play alone, to just breathe.I get it. I really do
Dante POV“That’s the fourth one this week,” Callum laughs, dropping back into his seat.I sit down, shaking my head. “People like her come in all the time. Most of them don’t last. Either they don’t understand what they’re getting into, or they think they can handle it until they can’t.”“You could’ve given her a real shot,” Callum says with a grin.“I did,” I snap. “I’m not about to let some naïve girl walk into this world blind. The only exceptions are the ones who’d be doing this on the streets, risking their lives without any protection. Here, at least, they’re safe.”Callum leans against the desk, his smirk not fading. “So compassionate,” he teases.He doesn’t get it. No one does. They look at me like I’m some kind of monster, selling women and taking their money. But I take nothing. This place was built to protect women—to give them a safe place to do what they’re already doing. Well, to protect one woman, at least.I stand abruptly. I’ve wasted enough time here—I need to see J
DanteI grab her phone, lift her hand, press her thumb against the sensor. It unlocks instantly, and I dive straight into her messages. I scroll past the unimportant names, the meaningless conversations, until I find him. Babes. That’s what she calls him. Babes. The word churns my stomach. I want to change it to something more fitting. Worthless. Useless. Because that’s all he is. He doesn’t deserve her, doesn’t know how to handle her, doesn’t see her the way I do.I scroll through the messages, and each one makes me angrier. His replies are pathetic. There’s no fire, no lust, no desperate need to please her, to make her his. How can he not see what he has? She’s practically begging for his attention, sending him messages that are dripping with desire, and he brushes her off like she’s nothing.My eyes land on one message in particular, right after she sent him a picture of herself in the bath, her hand between her thighs. I read it slowly, savoring each word, imagining her writing it
Luna’s POVI wake up feeling as though I’ve slept for an eternity. My body feels refreshed in a way it hasn’t in months, but my mind drifts back to the strange, vivid dream I had last night. The intensity of it still lingers. I’ve fantasized about my stalker before, imagining him as this absurdly attractive man driven to please me. But never in my wildest thoughts did I expect a dream so real, so visceral.Maybe it’s because of Justin. He got me all worked up, and then—like I was nothing—he ghosted me. That stung. It still stings. I can’t shake the pain, but there’s a voice inside me, softly telling me I need to let go of this... but I can’t. I just can’t.Then there’s little bear. I’ve always wanted a pet, but between juggling time at Justin’s and my place, it’s never been practical. The puppy forces me to confront things—like Justin. He’s been asking me to move in, and I was actually considering it. But this past month, he’s grown distant, colder. No matter what bizarre thing my sta
Luna POVWe end up spending the morning talking, laughing, and trying to process it all. But despite the distractions, I can’t shake the gnawing feeling in my chest. Still no message from Justin. No birthday wish. No explanation. Has he really forgotten? Or is this his way of showing he’s still mad about the puppy?The uncertainty sits heavy in my heart, making me wonder if I’ve been chasing the wrong kind of attention all along.The entire day has slipped away like sand through my fingers, disappearing along with Lucy. It’s almost eerie how quiet everything has become. I haven’t heard a single word from Justin. No Happy Birthday. No message at all. I can’t wrap my head around it—how could he forget? My mind whirls in confusion as I sit there, my eyes lingering on the pile of gifts from my stalker, their presence so loud in the silence.Every inch of me recoils at the sight of them. Part of me wants to throw them away—again. But I know it won’t matter; it didn’t work last time. Nothin
Luna POVI pour myself a glass of vodka and take a deep breath before reaching for my laptop. Maybe I can escape into a movie—something to distract me from this mess of emotions.But as I scroll through endless options, nothing feels right. Nothing catches my eye. Everything seems dull and lifeless, a reflection of how I feel inside.My phone buzzes, jolting me from my daze. It’s a message from Lucy.Buy it, listen to it. Love it. And no doubt, have hot dreams about it.It’s another book suggestion from her. I’ve just finished the last one she recommended, and honestly, I shouldn’t dive into another. Once I start reading, I lose myself completely. But this time, she’s telling me to listen to it. Audiobook. That’s new. Before I even realize what I’m doing, I click the link she sent, and in a matter of seconds, the book is purchased and playing through my home speakers.I settle back in bed, letting the narrator’s deep voice wash over me, and within moments, I realize Lucy’s sent me a s
Dante POVLeaving Luna’s apartment that night, I headed straight to work, but my mind never left her. I couldn’t help but replay every moment, every taste of her. I groan, the memory of her warmth against my tongue flooding me with an intensity that’s both thrilling and maddening. She didn’t even scream when she woke to find me there, my mouth clamped around her, devouring her sweetness. I was lucky—so damn lucky—she didn’t freak out. But that’s Luna… she’s so perfect, even in her innocence.I’m pulled from my thoughts as Jamie walks into my office. His timing is impeccable, as usual, and I know why he’s here. He’s been hounding me about keeping my distance, about not giving in to my obsession, but he doesn’t get it. I’m too deep. I’ve crossed that line, and there’s no coming back.“You didn’t have a meeting booked,” I say, trying to brush him off.He laughs, the sound dripping with irony. “Because you stopped updating me and disappeared. Which tells me one thing—you’ve given in to th
Dante POVFinishing up the work, I ensure Callum knows to watch everything and leave. I stop outside the store and look at Justin. "Why are we meeting here?" I ask and follow him in."Need help picking a ring," he gives me a wide grin. Shit, I wish I had refused now."Buy it, but hold off on proposing right? You two haven't exactly been great recently." If anything they are barely holding on by a thread these days."Yeah, I'm going to. We will be fine though, I've got her gift for her birthday, which I'm hoping makes up for me acting like an ass over a damn puppy."So he's going to throw gifts at her in the hope it makes up for his shitty attitude? Does he not know her at all? I do, I've seen her face as she reads those books, and I've noticed it the pages where small gestures that have her heart leaping. Not the stupidly over priced gifts that he's throwing her way."So, this gift a day until the anniversary, seems a bit... Extreme," I tell him and he nods."Maybe, but let's be hones
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