Lilly POV
The shrill ring of a phone jolts me awake, and I groan, disoriented.“I’m coming!” Callum’s voice cuts through the haze, and I sit up, confused as I watch him scramble to get dressed.
“What’s going on?” I ask, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“I slept in,” he mutters, fastening his belt with hurried movements.
“Dante won’t care if you’re a little late. Why are you rushing?” I slide out of bed, trying to make sense of his urgency.
“I promised him I’d be somewhere. What time is your last client tonight?” he asks, avoiding my question as he tightens his boots.
“I don’t know,” I say, still groggy.
“Let Dante know, and he can tell me,” he replies before leaning down to kiss me. But something about his energy feels off—strained.
“Callum, the clubs don’t open for hours,” I
Lilly POVLuna’s face softens with sympathy as she nods. “He has been super busy. Dante told me this morning that it was the first time he’s seen Callum sleep properly in over a week.”“We had time, though, Luna. He knows I’m stopping working.” My voice cracks, the weight of my emotions spilling out. “Now I’m wondering if it’s because he knows how many clients I’ve been seeing every night.”Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head adamantly. “No way. That’s not why.”“You don’t know that,” I say with a weak laugh, wiping away a stray tear. “It could be. Maybe he’s disgusted—repulsed by it all.”“Lilly,” she says firmly, “you’ve explained this to me before. You’ve told me how he always reassures you. You’ve even said he makes you stop overthinking it when you tell him you need to shower
Lilly POVMy chest tightens with frustration and worry. Giving up, I head back downstairs.“Everything alright?” Star asks, her voice soft and kind.“He’s not back,” I say with a small shrug. “If anyone needs me, I’m free.”Star nods, giving me a quick hug before walking off. I glance at my phone again, but the messages remain undelivered. Two hours crawl by, and I finally admit defeat. I head back to the apartment, the ache of disappointment settling deep in my chest.Stepping inside, the sound of running water catches my attention. My heart skips a beat as I sit on the edge of the bed, waiting. The shower stops, and moments later, the bathroom door opens. Callum steps out, a towel wrapped around his waist, steam swirling around him.His eyes meet mine, and I don’t even know where to start. Anger, relief, hurt—all of it wells up inside me, threatening to spill over. He looks at me, a
Callum POVLying in bed with Lilly wrapped around me, her warmth grounding me, I make a decision. Tonight solidifies it—there’s only one way to keep her safe. The problem is, I have no idea how to get her to agree to it.The day’s events play on a loop in my mind, each moment more gut-wrenching than the last. Sasha was livid when I arrived late, her anger crackling in the air like a live wire. It made everything tense from the start, but when she caught me rummaging through her bag, things spiraled into something far worse. Her fury was unmatched, her eyes burning with suspicion and rage, but even that didn’t prepare me for what came later.Then there was Lilly. That first message she sent reminded me why I was doing all of this—why I was enduring Sasha and her venom. Her words gave me a sliver of hope in a sea of chaos. But the next two messages? They wrecked me completely.The last thing I needed while trapped in Sasha&rsqu
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
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,
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
Serena POVWe sit for a few more minutes, and slowly, the tension begins to bleed from my body. I feel like myself again—or at least the version of me that’s manageable. My muscles unclench, and the static in my head fades. A smile tugs at my lips as I climb onto his lap, curling against him.“Your drinks,” the waiter interrupts with a polite smile, placing them on the table.I reach for my bag, ready to grab some cash for a tip, but when I open it, there’s nothing. My hand freezes.“I…” My fingers scramble through the bag, but it’s empty. Rubbing my head, I try to think. Where did I put the money?“Everything okay?” His voice is soft, but his lips press against mine quickly, a fleeting kiss that feels more like a distraction than affection.“I’ve lost the money,” I whisper, my voice trembling with frustration.“Did he pay you?”“He always pays, Dale.” I frown, trying to pull the memory from the fog in my brain. “I remember him giving it to me… maybe I dropped it outside?”Dale leans
SerenaMy body sinks into the car seat, my arms heavy and my head swimming in a fog. I can feel his eyes on me—watching me, dissecting every movement. I try to force a smile, but even that feels like too much effort.“Pixie Doll,” his voice is low, rough, and the nickname he uses makes my skin crawl tonight for some reason. His fingers grip my chin, firm enough to hold me in place but not enough to hurt. He tilts my face toward him, and I catch the flicker of something behind his eyes—concern?“You good?” he asks, his voice soft but probing, and I nod quickly, even though my body feels like it’s trembling from the inside out.“Perfect,” I lie, my voice barely above a whisper. My mind, however, is screaming. It’s clawing at the edges of something—something I can’t quite grasp. He’s planning something. I can feel it.“Are you sure? You look a little high right now. You think you can ride safely?” His tone shifts, but I'm not sure it's worry, and I hate the way he looks at me—like I’m fr
Jace“Okay, tell me everything I need to know. I doubt this file lays it all out, no secrets, no matter how small,” I say, leaning forward, my eyes locked on him.William exhales heavily, leaning back in his chair, his gaze sharp and assessing. “She was supposed to make you aware of all this, but she never did,” he says, his voice low and clipped.I stiffen. Of course, she didn’t. She couldn’t. I ran before she had the chance. I nod, motioning for him to continue, though the knot forming in my chest tightens with every second of silence.“She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Jace,” he says, his words deliberate, each syllable dropping like a stone. “She came to tell you one night, around the time everything between you two went crazy. She came back after seeing you and said you didn’t care, so she didn’t bother telling you.”I feel the air leave my lungs in one sharp exhale. Didn’t care? That’s a lie. It has to be. Had she told me, I would’ve cared. I would’ve done something—anyth
This is the start of Jace's Story - His Little Hellion.JaceThe file feels like it’s searing through my palm, its weight a constant reminder of everything I’m trying to avoid. A month. I’ve been here a goddamn month, holed up, barricading myself behind work and excuses. I haven’t reached out. Hell, I haven’t even stepped into her orbit. Instead, I sit here, combing through this damn file over and over, as if it’s going to tell me something I don’t already know.The truth? I’m fucking terrified.Serena. Just the name is enough to tighten my chest. A walking nightmare with a smile that could burn the whole world down. When Dante asked me to help run this location with Rich, I had one condition—I wasn’t sure about Serena. I told him straight up. She’s a loose cannon, the kind that could unravel years of work with a single reckless move. But here I am anyway, stuck in this office, tethered to her name like a goddamn noose.The knock on the door makes me flinch. Rich steps in, wearing his
Lilly POVLuna is doubled over laughing. “If only someone had filmed that,” she teases, wiping her eyes.“I would replay it over and over,” I say, joining her laughter. And I mean it—I absolutely would. “I’m going to get home,” Luna says, lifting Elouise into her arms. She gives me a warm smile before heading out, the door clicking softly behind her.I turn my attention to Zade, scooping him up with a playful smile. “Alright, little man, time to get you ready for bed,” I say, carrying him to the changing table.“Why is it always me?” Callum’s voice comes from behind me, dripping with mock frustration.I glance over my shoulder to see him leaning against the doorframe, a weary expression on his face. Laughing softly, I reply, “You’re clearly his favorite. Isn’t that right, Zade?” I tickle Zade’s tummy, and he lets out a giggle.Callum groans, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I’m his favorite target. The vomit earlier proved that.”Smirking, I focus on getting Zade changed. “Whe
Lilly POVZade crawls across the room, his tiny hands and knees making soft pats against the floor as he moves with determination. He pauses near Elouise, sitting up and grabbing one of her small toys before shaking it frantically, giggling as the sound fills the air. Watching him like this—so carefree, so full of life—brings a bittersweet warmth to my chest.It’s days like today that I can’t help but reflect on how much has changed in the last sixteen months since my scan. Everything feels like it’s shifted, like our lives have been rewritten in the best ways.Zade’s arrival wasn’t exactly by the book. He came two weeks early, catching us all completely off guard. Dante and Luna had gone for one of her routine checkups, Callum was at the clubs, and I had convinced myself there was still plenty of time.I was wrong.One moment, everything was calm—quiet, even—and the next, I was gripping the phone, sobbing into the receiver as I called Callum, barely able to get the words out between
Callum POV He’s planned this, weighed the risks, and now he’s looking to me for input.“That’s a big move,” I say, leaning back, my mind already racing through the possibilities.“It is,” he agrees. “But it could save lives. Just like we’ve done here.”Dante isn’t one to take things lightly, and this is no exception. As much as I want to argue about the risks, part of me knows he’s right. The work doesn’t stop—it just shifts to where it’s needed most.“Well...” I start, but the words die on my tongue. I’m completely at a loss. Everything Dante’s telling me feels like it’s spiraling into some crazy scenario, and I can’t find a foothold to ground myself.Dante smirks, clearly enjoying my confusion. “Not only do the local police back it and agree to turn a blind eye to the more... questionable aspects of our operations, but the local MP is onboard too. Apparently, his daughter is causing some chaos. She works on the streets, proving to Daddy she’s not his little princess anymore.”He dr
Callum POVLilly’s weight is soft and comforting against me as I carry her back upstairs. Her body molds to mine, her arms draped lazily around my neck, her head resting on my shoulder. She’s half-asleep, clinging to me as though letting go would pull her from the warmth of the moment.As I step into the apartment, the quietness settles around us, broken only by the soft rustle of her breathing. I push the door to our bedroom open, slipping inside. Gently, I shrug off my robe and remove hers, ensuring she stays warm as I lay her down on the bed and cover her.Sliding in beside her, I feel her instinctively shift closer, her body curling into mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Her arms wrap around me, holding me tightly as though she never wants to let go.Grasping her in return, I press a kiss to her hairline and pull her impossibly closer. She nuzzles into my chest, her warmth spreading through me in a way that feels grounding.“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice so
Lilly POVThe couples on the bed welcome us warmly, making space as we join them. Hands reach out to caress us, and I gasp at the sensation of unfamiliar touches on my skin. Callum keeps me close, his presence grounding me as we’re drawn into the tangle of bodies.“Remember,” he whispers in my ear as we begin to lose ourselves in the pleasure. “I’m right here with you. Always.”With that reassurance, I let go of my last inhibitions and give myself over to the experience, ready to explore new heights of pleasure with Callum by my side.The sensation of multiple hands caressing my body is overwhelming at first. I close my eyes, focusing on the feeling of Callum’s strong arms around me as we sink into the plush mattress. His familiar scent helps ground me as unfamiliar fingers trail along my skin.“Open your eyes,” Callum murmurs. “I want you to see everything.”I obey, my gaze meeting his intense stare. He smiles encouragingly before capturing my lips in a deep kiss. As we kiss, I feel