Dante’s POVI can’t believe I’m under her damn bed. What was supposed to be a simple plan to get in and out without being noticed has turned into a disaster. I meant to leave last night, but exhaustion got the better of me, and I ended up passing out. And now? Now, I’m stuck in this humiliating mess. This is all on me, though—I should’ve stuck to the plan. But I didn’t. And now I’m lying here, cramped, hidden in the shadows like some desperate creep.The plan has completely unraveled. I thought staying hidden would be the smart move. She’ll be more likely to accept me if she doesn’t know who I really am—if she doesn’t know I’m Dante. The moment she figures that out, everything will change. But still, as much as I tell myself it’s for the best, it feels like the plan is slipping further and further from my control.She should have told him to leave. Made up an excuse. Anything. But instead, he’s still here, walking around her apartment like he owns the place. Every second I spend hidin
Dante’s POVI drive quickly to the club, my mind racing as I park in the back and slip through the rear entrance. Callum is already there, waiting at the door, his expression serious.“He’s in your office. Luna’s outside, sitting in the car. She’s refusing to come inside,” Callum informs me with a sigh. Luna can’t even bring herself to step foot in this place?“Find Sasha. I’m getting changed. Tell her to meet me outside the office,” I instruct, my mind already forming a plan. It’s time Luna faces the reality of what this place is—whether she likes it or not. I was content to take things slow, giving her time to adjust, but with Justin possibly proposing, that option is off the table.I could easily ruin their entire relationship, all it would take is a few words—telling him how she let me pleasure her when I was masked as the stalker. But that would be cruel, and I don’t want Luna to bear the brunt of his hatred. He deserves it, not her.Callum interrupts my thoughts, his voice low.
Dante POVThe moment Luna walks in, my heart nearly stops. Holy shit. My eyes widen, almost popping out of my head as I take in the sight of her. She’s wearing a red bodycon dress that clings to every curve, her entire presence electrifying the room.Sasha smirks, clearly pleased with the reaction. “We did a makeover on her,” she says before leaving us alone.Luna walks over to Justin, looking absolutely stunning, but he barely notices. He’s glued to his phone, his attention elsewhere.I pull out my phone and shoot him a text.Fucking look at her.He glances up for a second, offers her a small, distracted smile, mutters something under his breath, and then goes right back to his phone. Asshole.“The plan?” Callum asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. “You stopped explaining it.”I had stopped, mostly because I wanted Luna to hear it. She needs to understand exactly what we’re dealing with. “Have some of our guys drive around each night,” I continue, “keeping an eye out for anything su
Dante POVSighing, I nod at her.“It’s the safest option for you right now,” I reply firmly. “Until we know how you handle being around men in this environment, that’s where you’ll stay. When you’re ready for more, we can talk about other roles. But for now, it’s that or nothing.”Ella hesitates, clearly torn, but she doesn’t have many options.I look at Ella. “We also have an apartment complex for the women who work here,” I continue. “You can have one of the apartments rent-free until you get back on your feet. Some of my crew stays there too, keeping an eye on things and making sure the women are safe.”I grab my phone and shoot a message to Sasha.Ella’s face softens slightly, and she gives me a small smile. “Thank you.”“Sasha will explain everything to you,” I say. “As a dancer, you’ll get a set pay plus tips. I know you were hoping for one of the positions where you set your own fee, but that’s not happening until you’ve had some space and time away from your current situation.
Luna’s POVI refuse to get out of the car, instead sitting there, stewing in my thoughts. That is, until a woman knocks on the window and gives me a friendly smile. I roll down the window, and she looks at me with curiosity.“I’m Sasha,” she says, her tone upbeat. “Why are you sitting in the car, gorgeous?” She holds out her hand.I shake it, a little confused but trying to match her energy. “Luna. I’m waiting for Justin,” I reply, and she nods as if this is something she’s heard a hundred times before.“Ah, men, right?” she says with a laugh. “They say two minutes, and an hour later you’re still waiting.” Her humor catches me off guard, and I can’t help but chuckle.“Believe me, I’m used to waiting for him,” I mutter, and her head tilts as if she’s reading more into my words. “Forget it,” I say quickly, not really wanting to dive into my personal problems.“No, there’s no forgetting it,” she insists gently. “I recognize that look. Come on, how about a coffee?” Her smile is warm and i
Luna POVI let them do my hair and makeup, all while I talk more about my stalker, mostly because Lilly is absolutely fascinated by him. She listens intently as I share details about the gifts he’s left and the unsettling attention he gives me. But I can’t help but feel a strange relief, like these women understand me without judgment.Once I’m ready, Sasha leads me to Dante’s office. As I step inside, I feel his eyes on me instantly. His gaze is intense, and for some reason, it makes me want to smile—he actually noticed. It feels... different. I walk toward Justin, and he barely glances up from his phone. He gives me a brief look, then goes right back to scrolling.A moment later, he sighs and faces me. “You look stunning,” he says, kissing my cheek absentmindedly, but there’s no sincerity. He hasn’t even really looked at me.Sighing, I sit and try to listen to Dante talking, though my thoughts are spinning. Everything Dante says feels like it contradicts the reality of what’s around
Luna’s POVAfter showering, I wrap a towel around my body and step out of the bathroom. He’s there, lying on my bed, casually playing with little Bear. The sight is both oddly sweet and unsettling—it’s as if two sides of him exist at once, the caring side and the one that terrifies me.“Is there a timeframe for when you’re finally going to reveal yourself to me?” I ask, walking over to the small chair at my dressing table.“Maybe,” he replies quietly, and I can’t help but sigh.“Maybe, as in you’re not going to tell me when?” I press, growing frustrated, but he only chuckles.“Exactly, little deer.”I don’t understand the delay. He’s spending so much time with me, invading every corner of my life. Why keep hiding? “Why won’t you show yourself? Are you scared I’ll be turned off by your looks? Do you have a scar or something?” I ask, hoping for an answer that makes sense.He moves from the bed and walks behind me, standing close enough that I can feel his presence. “It’s complicated,” h
Luna POVPanic surges through me. No, no, no. My foot presses harder into his chest, but it’s not enough. He lets out a groan, the sound almost primal, before his hand slams against my foot, knocking it aside like it’s nothing.In an instant, his hand is over my eyes, blinding me, and I hear the sound of him shifting. My heart races, my breathing ragged as I struggle to anticipate his next move. The next thing I feel is the sharp sting of his finger pushing into my mouth, the metallic taste of blood coating my tongue."You made me bleed little deer, how do I taste?" He growls.The taste is bitter, but it fuels something inside me. Without thinking, I bite down—hard. His finger jerks out of my mouth, and I hear him hiss in pain, his breath sharp and angry. For a moment, there’s a flicker of satisfaction in me, but it’s short-lived.“You like causing pain?” he growls, his voice lower now, more dangerous. There’s an edge to it that wasn’t there before. “You’ll learn not to test me, littl
“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