Dante POVI turn to him. “There’s a reason Sasha’s going after Lilly like this. Think about it. We can stop her from coming here, but out there? I can’t control that. Why is she acting so crazy toward Lilly and not Luna?” It feels personal. Too personal. And it doesn’t add up. Sasha’s behavior is far from the norm. She’s always been tough, always held her own, but this…this is different. Targeted. Deliberate. Callum shakes his head, frustration clear in his voice. “I don’t know, Dante. I wish I fucking did, but I don’t. You know everything I know. Nothing I said was a lie. Sasha didn’t care until Lilly was involved.” That’s what keeps bugging me. Why is Lilly the trigger? “Let’s get upstairs and make sure everyone knows she’s not allowed back in. Make sure she doesn’t come near here again.” I push through the door, and Callum follows. My mind churns, piecing things together. But every conclusion feels incomplete, like there’s a piece missing from the puzzle. Lilly is quiet, kind—t
Luna POVI wake up feeling the warmth of Dante beside me, a smile tugging at my lips. I reach out to touch him but freeze when I notice someone else. Lilly is curled up on the other side of the bed, her face bruised and battered. I gently poke her in the side, watching as her eyes flutter open, and she sits up, rubbing her eyes with a soft laugh.“Nope, not Dante,” she teases, shrugging as if waking up with a black eye, busted lip, and cut above her eyebrow is no big deal. “Callum told me to come sleep here.”I stare at her face, guilt twisting in my gut. “I’m so sorry, Lilly. No one was supposed to get hurt.” My voice barely comes out as a whisper.Lilly waves it off, her casual shrug almost unsettling. “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,” she gives a faint smile, “not all of this is from that fight.”“What do you mean? When did this happen?” I can’t even recall seeing her like this las
Luna POVShe’s quiet for a while, absorbing my words. Then she sits up, pulling her knees to her chest. “I’ll talk to Callum. I’ll...think about changing my job. Maybe dancing more wouldn’t be so bad.” She gives a small smile, the resolve building in her expression. “That’s a start,” I say, smiling back. “And as for confrontation, we can work on that. Baby steps, right?” Lilly nods, a little more sure of herself now. “Yeah. Baby steps.” I can see the shift in her, the way she’s starting to consider things differently. Lilly’s quiet strength has always been there, but it’s been buried under fear and self-doubt. Maybe now she’ll start to see that strength for herself. “Taunting Dante, telling him to do his worst? That’s my version of confrontation,” I say with a smile. “Refusing to beg—that counts too.” She rolls her eyes, her expression shifting. “But that’s different, you know? I can do it when we’re fucking or when I want him to fuck me, but other issues? Nope. I haven’t even re
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
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.
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
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 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
Lilly POVI hold my breath as he continues.“Behind the scenes, this place offers sex work. But it’s not what you’re thinking. Every man who uses these services is vetted extensively before they’re allowed access. Every room is monitored, recorded. The women keep everything they make. It’s not perfect, but it’s safe. Safer than being out on the street, at the mercy of men like Andrew.”His words sink in, and I can’t move. Can’t breathe. My mind races, processing everything. A brothel. A strip club. A place where women sell their bodies—but safely. My lip trembles as I try to make sense of it all. He’s staring at me, waiting for a reaction.He told me about his mother and sister. Is it true? Would he lie about something like that? But he’s helping me, protecting me. Surely that means he’s telling the truth. Doesn’t it?The room feels heavy with Callum’s words, his voice still echoing in my mind. My heart pounds as I process everything he’s said. A brothel—sex work, but safe. Women keep
Lilly POVWhen the doors slide open, I follow him into the depths of this strange new world, the pain of my past still clinging to me, but for the first time in years, the faintest flicker of hope glimmers on the horizon.My eyes dart around the unfamiliar space, trying to take in my surroundings and piece together where I am. The halls are clean, polished, and far too quiet, with an air of something carefully constructed. Callum walks ahead of me, his confident stride unwavering. I trail behind, hesitant but with no better option. My heart races as he pauses, his warm smile softening as he opens a door and gestures for me to follow.The office we step into is sleek but not overly extravagant. The man behind the desk looks up, his eyes sharp but his smile disarmingly kind. His presence is calm, steady, and strangely comforting. He doesn’t stand, doesn’t extend a hand. He simply nods in acknowledgment.“Rachel,” he says, his voice even and measured. “I’m Dante.” His gaze holds mine, no
LillyPain drags me from the depths of unconsciousness, its sharp tendrils gripping every inch of my body. My ribs ache with each shallow breath, and a dull throb pulses behind my eyes. But beneath it all, there’s warmth—thick, heavy, unfamiliar. The softness of the mattress envelops me, the weight of a lavish duvet pressing gently against my battered frame. It’s so unlike the cold, hard surfaces I’ve grown accustomed to. For a fleeting moment, I think I’m dreaming.I try to sit up, a low groan escaping my lips as the effort sends fresh waves of pain coursing through me. Before I can go any further, a hand presses gently against my shoulder, halting me.“Slow down, you’re hurt,” a deep voice says softly, steady and calm, though it carries an undertone of quiet strength. My gaze darts upward, locking onto the man beside me.“Callum,” he says with a faint smile, as though sensing my hesitation. “In case you forgot my name.”Callum. The memory rushes back—his towering frame blocking out
As we ride back down in the elevator, his voice cuts through the silence. “Why do you want to help women like her? What makes you care?”I glance at him, weighing my words carefully. I don’t usually talk about my mother and sister—it’s a wound that never fully heals. But something about his tone tells me he’s asking for more than curiosity.“When I was younger, I noticed my little sister withdrawing, hiding away. She wouldn’t talk to me. Then one day, she turned up dead. My mom… she fell apart. I found out my father had forced her into street work, and when my sister was barely a teen, he sold her off. After my sister’s death, he ran. My mom killed herself not long after.”He doesn’t say anything, just listens. I continue, my voice steady despite the weight of the memories. “My dad wasn’t anyone big, just desperate and cruel. After my mom died, I tracked him down. Killed him myself. Along the way, I met others—men far worse, with entire networks behind them. Helping the women caught i
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