Jace
Frustration boils under my skin as I shove through the apartment one last time, rifling through drawers, checking the backs of cabinets, even lifting up couch cushions like some hidden note will magically appear. Nothing. Not a single fucking clue.
I run a hand through my hair, turning to Rich, who’s watching me with his usual unreadable expression. “There’s gotta be something. People don’t just disappear without a fucking trace.”
“If Dale planned this, he wasn’t going to leave you a damn roadmap,” Rich mutters, arms crossed as he leans against the counter.
Exhaling sharply, my jaw clenches. “Then we check his dad’s place.”
Rich nods, but before we can move, one of the women, Tasha, shifts uncomfortably from where she’s sitting. “Uh… you know Dale’s dad doesn’t live there anymore, right?”
My head snaps toward her. “What?”
Serena POVI sit on the edge of the worn mattress, my leg bouncing, my fingers drumming against my thigh. The initial high is fading, and with it comes an irritation I can’t quite place. Dale said someone was coming, that I’d be able to work. But no one came.The cabin is too quiet. The air is heavy with old wood and damp, the walls too bare, the windows too small. There’s no sound of the city, no distant hum of traffic, no music bleeding through paper-thin walls like at the apartments. It feels wrong. Everything feels wrong.I glance toward the door, expecting him to walk in any second, but it doesn’t open. My fingers twitch, that restless energy still clawing at me, but it’s mixed with something else now—something cold.How the fuck did I get here?I try to think back, but my mind stutters. I remember being with Jace, waking up in his bed, his warmth against me, his scent in the sheets. I remem
Serena POVHe presses a hand against my jaw, forcing it open. The pills hit my tongue, and his palm clamps over my mouth before I can spit them out.“Swallow.”I shake my head, tears spilling over. No, I can't, I won't!“Swallow, Sera.”I can’t breathe. My throat constricts, my body trembling violently. The panic is deafening, blinding, and consuming.His fingers pinch my nose shut.My lungs burn. I can’t—I can’t. I choke. The pills slide down my throat, and he lets go of me.I roll onto my side, gasping, coughing, my body convulsing. My nails dig into the sheets, the world spinning too fast.“Good girl,” Dale murmurs, brushing damp hair from my face. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”I let out a broken sob, curling into myself, the drugs slither through my veins, pulling me under. No, I'm not staying, I try to push myself up, but my body isn&r
Jace POVI grip the steering wheel so hard my knuckles go white, my heartbeat hammering against my ribs.Rich shifts beside me, exhaling sharply. “What’s the plan?”“I don’t have one,” I mutter, jaw so tight it aches. “The only plan is getting her back.”The road turns to gravel, kicking up dust as I push the car faster. It’s a straight shot now, just a long dirt road leading into the trees, the kind of place you don’t find unless you know exactly where you’re going.The tires grind against the dirt road as I push the car forward, my grip tightening around the wheel. The trees loom on either side, shadows stretching long in the night, but I don’t care about anything except getting to Serena.Rich shifts in the passenger seat, his fingers tapping against his knee. “You sure we shouldn’t have brought backup?”“No time,” I mutter.
Serena POVI wake up disoriented, my body heavy, my head thick with fog. My skin burns, hot and clammy, and the sheets feel suffocating. I shift, pushing them off me, but the second I move, nausea rolls through my stomach, sharp and relentless. My limbs feel weak, but there’s something else—something worse.Something is wrong, sitting up, my breathing is too fast, too shallow. My fingers dig into the mattress as I try to remember—where am I? My mind scrambles, but all I get are broken flashes. Dale. The cabin. The pills. The feeling of being pinned down. And then… nothing.Panic surges up my throat as I scan the room. It’s unfamiliar—dim lighting, a dresser against the wall, a chair, a locked, blacked-out window. My chest tightens as I try to make sense of it. This isn’t Dale’s place. This isn’t anywhere I recognize.I shove myself out of the bed, stumbling as dizziness hits me. My legs feel weak, my
Serena POVJace shifts slightly, adjusting his hold as he presses his lips to the top of my head. “I’ve got you,” he murmurs, his voice rough with something I don’t understand. “Just sleep, Fire—” He stops himself, correcting, “Just sleep, Serena. I’ve got you.”I don’t fight it anymore. I don’t have the strength. My grip on reality slips as I sink into the darkness, my body finally surrendering, and then the memories come.They slam into me like a tidal wave, vivid and suffocating, more real than the room I just left.I’m back in that house, and the air is thick with the stench of alcohol and sweat, the lingering scent of smoke clinging to my clothes. The music that had been blasting earlier is gone now, replaced by an eerie silence that sets my nerves on edge. My stomach churns. Something is wrong. I don’t remember why I came into this room, why Paul is here too, looking
Jace POVIt’s been days. At least two, maybe more. Every now and then, I’ve slipped away just long enough to bring her something to drink, something to eat, but she never wakes enough to take anything. She drifts between unconsciousness and erratic, frantic episodes that leave her shaking and gasping for breath against my chest.Now, she’s asleep again, her body curled into mine, twitching every so often as if she’s still fighting something in her dreams. Her fingers dig into my shirt, clutching tight like she’s afraid I’ll disappear if she lets go. I carefully shift her, before slipping out of the room.As soon as I step into the dimly lit hall, I let out a slow, exhausted breath. Rich is waiting just in the living area, leaning against the wall, watching me with an expression I can’t read. “How is she?” he asks, his voice low.I rub a hand over my face. “Still out of it. She wakes up sometimes,
Serena POVI wake up groggy, my body heavy, my mind wrapped in a thick fog. My limbs feel sluggish, my skin too tight, too sensitive.How long has it been? Panic creeps in as I blink around the dimly lit room, trying to piece things together. My throat is dry, my mouth like sandpaper. Something feels wrong.“Jace?” My voice cracks, barely more than a whisper. I swallow hard and try again, louder this time. “Jace!”I hear footsteps followed by the door creaking open, and Rich stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame, watching me.He lifts his hands, slow and easy, like he’s dealing with a wild animal. He steps inside, holding out a glass of water. “Easy there, trouble. Just me.”I don’t move. My heart pounds, and paranoia twists in my gut. Jace isn’t here. Where is Jace? “Where’s Jace?” I ask.Rich just smiles like I didn’t just snap at him. “Tr
Serena POVRich runs a hand through his hair, sighing heavily. “Serena, he set you up. He made you the monster so you wouldn’t ever question what really happened, and if you did? He had Dale right there, feeding you those pills, keeping your head foggy enough that you’d never put the pieces together.”My stomach lurches. “The pills…” My voice trails off as realization starts to sink in.“Yeah,” Rich nods, his expression grim. “Makes me wonder how long they’ve been keeping you doped up. How long they’ve made you believe you were just crazy instead of realizing what they did to you.”I press a hand to my forehead, feeling like my skull is splitting open. “No,” I whisper, shaking my head. “I would’ve known. I would’ve remembered.”“Would you?” Rich’s voice is gentle now, but the weight behind his words i
“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