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
Dante’s POV1 year earlierI sit in the dark office, glaring at the phone. The silence feels suffocating, but I prefer it that way. I’m hiding, and I know it. Today, of all days, I’ve told everyone to handle things on their own. No one dares ask for my help—they know better than to cross me on this date.At least, I thought they did.The knock on the door makes me groan.“What?” I snap, my voice harsher than I intend.The door creaks open, and Callum steps in with his usual calm, carrying a small box.“I know what today is, Dante. But I also know you,” he says, placing the box on the desk between us.“I don’t need to see it,” I mutter, staring at the darkened room. “I trust he’s dead and handled.”Callum nods. “He’s done. As for the woman—Sasha’s looking after her. Doctor’s stitched her up, but she’s causing a scene. Refuses to work here.”Of course. I let out a deep sigh.“Tell Sasha to send her in,” I say, flicking on the light, the sudden brightness making me squint.Callum nods an
Luna’s POV1 year earlierI watch Justin from across the room, my thoughts swirling. This whole relationship came out of nowhere. We met just yesterday at the club—I was celebrating my birthday, and so was he. Today, we went on a real date, and I learned more about him. He’s sweet, thoughtful, and nothing like the men I usually fall for.My past is littered with bad boys—leather jackets, tattoos, men who practically wear their rebellion on their skin. But Justin? He’s the opposite of all that. His curly hair looks effortlessly messy, and his beard is short, neatly trimmed, giving him a relaxed, almost carefree vibe. His jawline is sharp, his deep brown eyes warm, inviting. He doesn’t have the sculpted body of someone who spends hours in the gym, but he’s not out of shape either. He’s just... normal. And normal is exactly what I need after being burned so many times.I smile softly and make my way toward the kitchen, my heels clicking against the floor. But then, my heel slips, and bef
Luna’s POVPresent TimeI throw the bag to the floor and collapse into the chair, but before I can even think about relaxing, my whole body goes rigid. There it is again. That smell. My nostrils flare as I sniff the air, searching for its source. It’s faint, but it lingers every time I come home. What the hell is that? It’s not foul, not exactly unpleasant, but the mystery of it unsettles me. There’s no reason for it to be here. No explanation.I lean back, trying to shake it off, but my eyes drift toward the window. A chill races up my spine. Standing up slowly, I walk over, each step heavier than the last. And then I see it.“What the actual fuck?”My hands tremble as I reach for my phone, my fingers fumbling over the screen until I hit his name.“Hey babes,” Justin mumbles casually, his voice dripping with nonchalance.“Justin, can you come over? There’s a weird fucking heart drawn on my window—outside!” My voice pitches, panic creeping in despite my efforts to sound calm.He laugh
Dante’s POVCall me crazy, but she’s mine. I’ve known that from the moment I saw her. Justin was just... quicker that night, but he doesn’t really understand what he has. Not like I do. She’s everything. Perfect. And soon, she’ll understand that she belongs to me—she just needs time. Time to come to terms with what’s inevitable.I let myself into her apartment, the key cold in my hand. I had it copied one night while she was fast asleep at Justin’s. That night had been perfect—watching her sleep so peacefully, so unaware that I was already laying the groundwork. Already taking what was mine. The thought of it makes my heart race. I remember every detail of the first time I laid eyes on her. If I had just gone out that night instead of Justin, things would be different. She’d already be mine. But I’m patient. I can wait.Stepping into her small apartment, I look around. It’s barely more than a studio. The kitchen, living room, bedroom, all crammed together in one open space. There’s a
Dante’s POVI watch with a smirk as Luna storms into the bathroom, the door slamming hard enough to rattle the cheap frame. A photo on the wall falls, shattering into a mess of glass shards on the floor. Justin doesn’t even flinch, barely acknowledging the chaos as he sprawls lazily on the chair.“Think you’re in deep shit now,” I chuckle, not bothering to hide the satisfaction in my voice. Every fight they have just inches me closer to her. The more she pulls away from him, the easier it’ll be to pull her into my arms where she belongs.Justin grins, unfazed, and walks over to the fridge, pulling out two beers. He tosses one to me, settling back down as though he hadn’t just pissed off the woman he’s supposed to care about. “It’s all good, man. Trust me, tonight’s gonna be even more fun,” he says with a cocky grin.His words send a cold wave of jealousy through me. Fun? Fun? The thought of him touching her again makes my blood boil. My grip tightens around the bottle, and I have to f
Luna’s POVJustin slept in. Great. My morning routine when he stays over is usually pretty solid, but today? I’m starting the day already frustrated, and last night certainly didn’t help. He spent hours acting like I didn’t exist, and when he finally did notice me, he... well, he finished before I even had the chance to get into it. It was over so fast I barely had time to get wet. And now, here he is, sitting across from me at the breakfast table with that stupid grin on his face like everything’s fine.I bite my lip, staring at him, wondering how things got this way. When we first started dating, he couldn’t keep his hands off me. He used to worship me. Now? Now it feels like I’m some chore he needs to check off his to-do list. It’s been a year, but the passion... it’s just not the same.“Justin,” I whisper, my voice hesitant, as if I’m trying to test the waters. He looks up from his breakfast, nodding as if he’s listening. I mean, I guess he is listening, but is he really paying at
Luna POVAt work, Lucy waves me over the moment I walk in, her face already set in a dramatic pout. “Again?” she asks, sitting down beside me.I nod, feeling the weight of it all. “Yeah, again.”“Did you talk to him about it?”“I was going to,” I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “But then he gave me one of the anniversary gifts, and I just... I couldn’t bring it up. I mean, it’s not like he’s using me, but he’s just...” I trail off, not even sure how to explain it.“He’s not giving you time,” Lucy says knowingly. Then, her face lights up. “Wait! I have the perfect idea!”I raise an eyebrow. “I don’t think I’m going to like your idea.”She laughs. “No, seriously! Sexy lingerie, leave a brand-new toy out on the bed, and send him some teasing messages. Tell him you want to be punished for hours.”I laugh at first, but then I consider it. Maybe she’s right? Maybe this is the way to get his attention without coming off as demanding. Maybe it’s the playful push he needs to take his time with
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