Callum POV
I head up to the apartment, my thoughts swirling. Dante knows—about me and Lilly—and this ‘talk’ he mentioned earlier is clearly about us. The anticipation gnaws at me as I sit and wait. The door opens, and Dante steps in, his expression unreadable as he closes it behind him.
“This is about Lilly, right?” I ask, cutting straight to the point. He nods, his stance tense.
“Yeah. This is about Lilly.”
I exhale, leaning forward slightly. He needs to understand that Lilly isn’t like Sasha. “Look, I know Sasha was... well, Sasha. But Lilly’s different. She’s not looking to cause trouble, Dante. You don’t have to worry about her.”
He runs a hand through his hair, his frustration barely contained. “It’s not about her causing trouble. It’s about... I don’t know, Callum. I just don’t like not knowing what’s going on.”
Callum POVThe peace is short-lived. The door swings open, and Eva’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “Callum, there’s a fight in Heaven. Two guys are going at it.”I groan, standing quickly. “Alright, let’s deal with it.”Making my way through the club, I see two guards struggling to pull the men apart. Music pounds in my ears as I step between them, directing Jace. “Drag him out. Now,” I bark, trying to keep them separated as they hurl insults at each other.“Callum!” Star’s voice cuts through the noise, sharp and urgent. I turn, dread creeping in. “It’s Lilly. She’s hurt. Sasha was downstairs!”The words hit like a punch, and I don’t hesitate. I sprint out, heart pounding, heading straight for the chaos downstairs. My chest tightens when I find her, trembling behind Dante, tears streaming down her face. Without thinking, I push past and wrap my
Lilly POVWhen I get to Dante's room, I climb into bed with Luna and fall asleep, my body is exhuasted and I'm not sure how to face things going forward.My sleep is plagued with replays of Sasha and her actions. The feel of someone poking me wakes me and I turn to see Luna looking at me in confusion.“Nope, not Dante. Callum told me to come sleep here.” I tease and she nods.“I’m so sorry, Lilly. No one was supposed to get hurt.” Luna stares at my face.This isn't on her. “First of all, don’t apologize, Luna. This wasn’t on you. It was on Sasha. There were safer ways she could’ve distracted Rich. Second, not all of this is from that fight.”“What do you mean? When did this happen?” She stares at me in shock.“Sasha showed up, called me unreasonable for not leaving Callum, said I ‘stole’ him from her. She lost it and started hitting me.” I
Lilly POV The sound of the door has us turning, I see Dante and Callum walk in. Callum is carrying the puppy, Little Bear. Luna jumps up and rushes to Callum and takes 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, I laugh slightly quietly. He walks back in, and Luna just tilts her head like she's confused. “Unbelievable. The damn puppy gets a better welcome than I do,” he mutters, and everyone laughs.“I was joking,” Luna says, moving and kissing him.“No, you weren’t. You ran for the puppy, not me,” he grumbles.“I’ve seen you more recently than the puppy,” Luna argues.“Okay, we need to talk,” Dante says. I watch as him and Callum sit. We're in trouble, one of us, or both of us, I can feel it.“Whatever I did, I was drunk,” Luna says defensively.“Yeah, same. I was drunk too,” I add.“Relax, you’re not in trouble. We need someone to take
Lilly POVBreaking the kiss, Callum spins me around to face the full-length mirror on the wall. My hands cuffed above my head, he presses his hard body against my back, pinning me in place. I shiver as his hot breath tickles my ear.“Look at yourself, Lilly,” he commands. “Watch what I do to you.”His hands skim down my sides to grab the hem of my thin tank top. In one swift motion, he rips it open, baring my breasts. I moan as the cool air hits my fevered skin. Callum cups my mounds, rolling and pinching the hardened peaks until I’m writhing against him.“So responsive,” he praises darkly. “Your body knows who it belongs to.”Keeping one hand toying with my nipples, the other trails lower, dipping beneath the waistband of my skirt. I whimper as his fingers graze my soaked folds, bucking my hips shamelessly, seeking more friction.“Always so wet for me,” Callum growls appr
Lilly POVCallum’s breathing grows harsh and erratic. “Lilly, I’m going to...”Understanding his warning, I double my efforts, taking him as far into my throat as I can. With a raw shout, he stiffens and pulses, spilling his release down my throat. I swallow every drop, licking him clean until he gently tugs me off.He pulls me up into a searing kiss, plundering my mouth and no doubt tasting himself. Breaking away, he gazes at me with a mix of tenderness and hunger.“My perfect girl,” he murmurs, stroking my cheek. “You take me so well. But I’m not nearly done with you yet.”He spins me around, and the cuffs lock around my wrists again.I whimper needily, straining against the cuffs, desperate for more of his touch. “Please Callum...”He chuckles darkly, lining himself up with my pussy. “Since you asked so nicely...”With one powerful thrust, he sheaths
Callum’s POVThe weight of guilt and regret presses heavily on my chest as I sit on the edge of the bed, watching Lilly sleep. I don’t want to leave her warmth, the safety of her embrace, but I know I have to. Sasha… no, Alexandra. I need to face her. I need to make sense of everything that’s happened.Leaning down, I kiss Lilly softly on her temple, savoring the peace she brings me, before quietly slipping out of bed. My phone feels heavier than usual as I grab it, my thumb hovering over Sasha’s name. My stomach churns as I type the message.Can we talk? I’ll come to you. I know who you are, Sasha.I hesitate before hitting send, the words staring back at me like a challenge. When the message delivers, I send another to Dante, letting him know where I’m going. He needs to know. He always does.The rumble of my bike is a stark contrast to the storm of emotions inside me as I ride toward the address Sasha p
Callum POVI open my mouth to argue, but she silences me with her hand, her touch a mockery of intimacy.“You can refuse, Callum,” she murmurs, her voice soft and deadly, “but if you do, I’ll have to let Andrew and a few of Lilly’s old ‘friends’ know where to find her.” Her words are a blade to my gut, cutting away any semblance of control I have left.I wrench her hand away, my mind reeling. “Are you fucking serious?” I roar, my voice echoing off the walls.Her laugh is cruel, twisted, a sound that sends shivers down my spine. “You decide,” she taunts, her grin widening. “Me or Lilly. If you choose Lilly, fine. But I’ll make sure her past comes back to haunt her. Andrew will find her, and I’ll make sure you never have her for long.”The room snaps into sharp focus, rage overtaking reason. In a blur of fury, I grab her by the neck and slam her against the
Callum POVThe tension in the air feels suffocating as Sasha stands there, arms crossed, her sharp gaze pinning me in place. She’s waiting, watching for my answer, and every second stretches like an eternity. Finally, I nod, the motion heavy with reluctant surrender.“Fine,” I mutter, the words bitter on my tongue. “I’ll walk away from Lilly, and I’ll speak to Dante about you returning to work. But I need time. He won’t agree overnight.”My voice sounds hollow even to me, but it’s enough for her. She smirks triumphantly, her victory slicing through me like a blade. Just as I turn to leave, she stops me, stepping closer.“Are you really going to leave?” she asks, tilting her head, her voice deceptively sweet but laced with steel.“I have work to do,” I lie, forcing the words out through clenched teeth.She narrows her eyes, not buying it. “No, Callum. It’s
Serena POVI shake my head, my throat tightening. “You say you love me. You say you waited for me. But the moment I try to give you what you’ve been waiting for, you reject me. You call me out on my shit, but what about yours? You’re standing here, acting like some fucking saint, like you’re above me, but you’re the one who doesn’t even know how to want someone without making it some big fucking deal.”Jace’s jaw clenches, his whole body tensing like he’s barely keeping himself from snapping. “You don’t get it. I don’t just want you, Serena. I love you. I have since we were kids, and no matter how much I’ve tried to push it down, no matter how much I’ve tried to forget, it’s still there. I didn’t wait for you just because I was holding onto some fantasy. I waited because I wanted my first time to mean something, and I wanted it to be with you. But I won’t touch you until I know you aren’t going to disappear on me again.”The intensity in his voice, the sheer force behind his words, ne
Serena POVI press closer, my hands still against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing. His skin is warm beneath my fingers, solid, grounding. I don’t know what this feeling is, this pull between us that I’ve spent years ignoring, but it’s there, impossible to push away.I move without thinking, tilting my head up, my lips barely brushing his jaw. His breath hitches, his hands twitching where they still rest over mine. Encouraged, I move higher, my mouth ghosting along his neck, tasting the heat of his skin.But then he grips my wrists and pulls my hands away.“Stop.” His voice is rough, controlled, but there’s tension behind it, like he’s barely holding himself together.I frown, trying to step into him again, but he holds me back, shaking his head. “Not like this. Not until I know you’re not just going to walk away again.”I laugh, not because it’s funny but because I don’t understand. “So you spent all those years waiting for me, and now that I’m right in fr
Serena POVI feel calm in a way I can’t explain. The weight that always lingers, the constant suffocating pressure, is gone. I wasn’t sure what my plan was when I walked in here. I woke up, heard the shower running, and something inside me just moved, pulling me toward the sound, toward him.The moment I stepped inside, I saw him. Water running over his tense body, hands braced against the tiles, muscles locked tight. When I touched him, he jerked like I had shocked him. His body reacted before his mind could stop it. That reaction sent a thrill through me, something I hadn’t felt in so long.I step further into the shower, walking around until I stand directly in front of him.“Firefly, out,” he mutters, voice tight.I move closer instead. There’s something about him that makes me want to be near him, that makes me crave that feeling he gives me, the one where I feel real, feel alive.“You didn’t fuck me,” I whisper, searching his face. I’m not saying it because I feel like I need hi
Jace POV“Count for me,” I instruct, my voice firm but steady. Without waiting for a response, I bring the paddle down with more force against her upper thigh.“One,” she gasps, her body tensing before quickly relaxing into the sensation.I continue, alternating between her thighs, her ass, and the curve of her hips, watching as her skin warms under each controlled strike. I push the intensity just a little further each time, testing her limits, feeling her reactions shift between sharp gasps and breathy moans. By the time we reach ten, her body is flushed a beautiful shade of pink, her muscles loose, her breaths uneven.“Good girl,” I murmur, setting the paddle aside. My voice is low, soothing, meant to anchor her even as I prepare to take her further. “Now for something different.”I pick up the flogger, letting the soft leather strands dance over her sensitized skin. She shivers instantly, her breath catching, her body trembling under the featherlight touch. I watch as anticipation
Jace POVWhen the feather brushes against her inner thighs again, her legs tremble, parting slightly without thought. I watch as the tension in her hands loosens, her fidgeting slowing, her mind beginning to quiet. She’s sinking into it now, letting the sensation take over.Setting the feather aside, I reach for the pinwheel and an ice cube, the stark contrast between the two designed to overwhelm her senses.The moment the cool metal of the pinwheel makes contact with her hip, she shudders, her skin tightening under the delicate prickle of each tiny spike. I roll it up her side, the subtle drag leaving a trail of awareness in its wake. Her breathing shifts, turning into soft, shallow pants as I circle the pinwheel along the curve of her breast, teasing but never fully touching.At the same time, I press the ice cube to her lips. Her gasp is sharp, instinctive, her mouth parting slightly from the shock of cold. I take advantage of the moment, dragging the ice along her neck, leaving g
Jace POVBy the time we pull up outside, I’ve made my decision. I climb off my bike and walk straight to her, grabbing her wrist before she can say anything and leading her inside. But I don’t take her to my apartment. Instead, I step into the lift, pressing the button that takes us downstairs.She doesn’t question it right away, just watches me with that sharp, wary gaze, waiting for whatever comes next.When we step out, I walk her down the hall to a vacant room, pushing the door open and stepping inside before locking it behind us. The air shifts instantly, her body going still as her eyes flick around the space. It’s simple—clean, dim lighting, nothing extravagant—but the energy in the room is different, charged with something she doesn’t fully understand yet.“Have you done anything like this before?” I ask quietly, watching her closely.Her head shakes, a slow, hesitant movement, but her eyes don’t leave mine.“Okay,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “We’ll start with the basics.
Jace POVI need to put a stop to this.That’s the only reason I’m back here, standing in the middle of this fucking street, watching her make the worst decision of her life like it means nothing. The guy in the car doesn’t give a damn, his lazy smirk saying he’s already won. He’s not going anywhere. He’ll sit there all fucking night if he has to, waiting for her to crack, waiting for her to climb inside like she’s done a hundred times before.Her hand moves to open the door, and I reach out, grabbing her wrist before she can. “I’ll pay you,” I say, voice tight, my chest burning with frustration. “Don’t get in that car, please.”Something’s off. She’s different today, her energy too erratic, too wild, like she’s running on something other than adrenaline. The way her body sways, the way her pupils are blown wide—it’s not just the club, not just the high of the moment.Then she tilts her head, eyes locking onto mine, and she grins, teeth flashing in the dim light.“Will you fuck me, Jac
Serena POVChecking my bag it's empty. I don't understand, I remember it in my hand, but did I give him it?“You said you had it,” Dale continues, voice steady. “But you never gave it to me. You must have lost it.”“No,” I whisper, shaking my head again. My throat tightens, panic trying to claw its way back up. “I—”His sigh is soft, almost disappointed. “You’ve been all over the place, Sera. You were late taking your tablets, you were shaking so bad you could barely stand… maybe you thought you gave it to me, but you didn’t.”I try to argue, but the words don’t come. The way he says it, the way he looks at me like I’m something fragile, something easily broken—it makes me hesitate. The confidence I had in my memory crumbles, the cracks widening with every second of silence between us.I was late. I was shaking. I don’t even remember how I got here, not really. The ride, the searching, the desperation—it’s all a blur, a mess of fragmented pieces that don’t fit together.Maybe I did fo
Serena POV“I warned you,” he says, voice calm, too casual. “Told you not to be late again, didn’t I?” He leans back against the bar, stretching his arms out along the counter like this is nothing more than a minor inconvenience. “And yet, here we are. You fucking up, me waiting for you to figure it out, and now you get to deal with your dad like I said you would.”A cold sweat breaks out along my back. My chest tightens as the words sink in, my panic twisting into something more dangerous. I shake my head, forcing myself to swallow the lump in my throat. “Dale, please. You can’t—he’ll—” My voice cracks, but I don’t care. He knows exactly what my father would do if he thought I wasn’t taking my meds right.Dale watches me struggle, his lips twitching at the corners like he’s savoring it. He leans in slightly, voice dropping just enough to make sure I hear every damn word. “I can. And I will. You’re making my life harder, Sera. I told you the rules. I told you what happens if you don’t