Izzy entered the college campus with a mix of relief and anxiety. The bright morning sun illuminated the quad where students milled about, their voices a comforting background hum. She spotted her friend—Ron standing with Megan, and Josh—gathered under a large oak tree near the fountain. Ron, always the center of attention with his animated stories, had a crowd of students laughing along with him.As Izzy approached, Ron’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Hey, look who’s finally graced us with her presence! Did you get lost on a secret adventure or something?”Megan and Josh turned their attention to her, their smiles fading into expressions of concern. “Hey, Izzy,” Megan said, her voice gentle. “We were starting to worry. You disappeared pretty quickly the other night.”Izzy forced a smile, trying to push away the shadows of recent events. “Yeah, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I had to... deal with some stuff.”Josh leaned forward, his curiosity evident. “Deal with what? You’ve got us
Izzy sat cross-legged on her bed, idly flipping through a magazine while Ron lounged across from her, leaning against a pile of pillows. They had been hanging out for the better part of the afternoon, their usual banter filling the room with lighthearted chatter. But Ron was never one to miss an opportunity to dig into something that intrigued him.He glanced at her, then narrowed his eyes playfully. “Okay, spill it. How exactly do you know Logan? And don’t give me that ‘he just showed up’ nonsense.”Izzy felt her stomach flip, her fingers suddenly tightening on the edges of the magazine. She had been expecting this conversation—Ron was way too curious to just let it slide—but that didn’t make it any easier to navigate. How could she explain any of it without revealing too much?She put the magazine down, trying to maintain a neutral expression. “We just kind of... crossed paths.”Ron sat up straighter, his eyes gleaming with interest. “Crossed paths? Izzy, that guy came running to yo
Izzy stood at the bus stop, her eyes scanning the street, lost in thought about her conversation with Ron earlier. She had managed to avoid most of his questions about Logan, but she knew it wasn’t the end. Ron would pry more—it was in his nature. But the truth? She couldn't tell him that. Not about Logan being "D." Not about the threats. Not about what she'd seen Logan do.A sleek black car pulled up in front of her, snapping her back to the present. The tinted window rolled down, and Logan’s sharp, dark eyes locked onto hers from the driver’s seat.“Get in,” he said flatly, his voice leaving no room for argument.Her pulse quickened, and she took a step back, shaking her head. "I’m walking."Logan’s gaze hardened, his fingers tapping the steering wheel with a dangerous kind of patience. “Isabella,” he said slowly,the way he said her name sent shivers down her spine"I’m not asking. If you don’t get in the car, I’ll make you. And I don’t think you want that."Her heart skipped a beat,
The stillness of the night enveloped Izzy as she abruptly woke up, her mind hazy and disoriented. The quiet of the house almost seemed oppressive, the ticking of the clock on her nightstand magnifying the deafening silence that wrapped around her. She blinked several times, trying to shake off the grogginess, and slowly the events of earlier that evening came rushing back. Logan’s touch. His lips on hers. The possessive way he held her against the door. The intensity of the kiss that had left her breathless and vulnerable. She sat up in bed, heart racing as she thought about it. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks as she recalled the way she had let herself melt into the moment, how easily she had given in to the heat between them. But then… then she had panicked. The second his hand had started to trail up her dress, her body froze, not in desire but in fear. That old, familiar fear that Ace had burned into her. "Ace," she whispered under her breath, feeling a cold shudder ripple thr
Logan’s pulse hammered in his ears as he pinned her against the door, his large hands gripping Isabella’s arms tightly enough to hold her in place but not enough to hurt her. His lips crashed onto hers without thinking, the need to possess her overriding every rational thought. It wasn’t supposed to be like this—he wasn’t supposed to lose control. Not with her. But the moment her lips met his, every ounce of cold, calculated restraint shattered. She tasted like trouble and he hated it. Hated the way his body responded to her, hated the fire that ignited between them the second he touched her. He wasn’t the type of man to be moved by women, especially not someone like Isabella. "Get her out of your system," Logan’s mind growled. "This is just sexual frustration. It’s nothing more." But as his hand slipped up her thigh, gripping the soft skin under her dress, he felt her body tremble, not with desire but with fear. Panic. The second his fingers brushed the thin fabric of her underwea
The evening was quiet as Isabella hummed softly, chopping vegetables in her kitchen, the warm smell of lasagna filling the small space. She had been looking forward to a peaceful night alone, just her and her homemade dinner. That’s when a sharp knock echoed through the house, interrupting the quiet.Isabella paused, the knife still in her hand. She glanced at the clock. 5:30 pm. Who would be visiting at this time? Wiping her hands on a dish towel, she moved to the front door. When she opened it, there was no one there—just a large package sitting on her doorstep, wrapped in elegant blue paper and tied with a bow. Her eyes darted up and down the street. Nothing. Not a single person in sight. A slight frown formed on her face as she bent down, hesitating for a moment before picking up the box and bringing it inside. She set it on the kitchen counter, curiosity bubbling inside her.“What the hell is this?” she muttered to herself as she pulled the bow loose and carefully unwrapped the
**Logan's POV**The moment I stepped out of her apartment, the evening air did little to cool the fire in my veins. I needed to shake off the effect she had on me. **Isabella.** She was a distraction—a dangerous one. I hated the way she had gotten under my skin, but there was no denying it. This little game was getting more intense with each passing second. As I drove back to my place, I replayed the events of the evening. Her defiance, the way she looked at me when she thought I couldn’t see her. That damn spark in her eyes that made me want to both crush her and protect her all at once. But I didn’t have time for this now.Danny was waiting when I arrived. My second-in-command was leaning against the wall near the door, a cigarette hanging from his lips. “You’re late, boss,” he muttered, flicking the cigarette away and crushing it under his boot. His eyes darted toward me, reading my mood. "You good?"“Where is he?” I barked, ignoring his question. Danny nodded, understanding the s
*SIX YEARS AGO*:'Izzy!''Izzy you better get your ass down here.' I groan can't you let a girl sleep God.That's when I heard the door open, suddenly my blanket is yanked off me.'Come on.' I say really annoyed but I didn't dare open my eyes.'Izzy come on wake up.' my sister Ruby says.'Let me sleep.' I say snuggling more into my pillow.'For goddess sakes Isabella if you don't get your ass up I swear to go-''Fine geez.' I say then I got up and let out a long and good stretch then I looked at my sister and she looked really annoyed at me.'Well hello sister.' I taunt at her, then next thing I know she grabbed my pillow and threw it at me.'Get your ass up or you will be late for college.' she says holding her waist.'Well get out of my room then.' she gives me one last look then she exits.I love my sister but she can be really anno
**Logan's POV**The moment I stepped out of her apartment, the evening air did little to cool the fire in my veins. I needed to shake off the effect she had on me. **Isabella.** She was a distraction—a dangerous one. I hated the way she had gotten under my skin, but there was no denying it. This little game was getting more intense with each passing second. As I drove back to my place, I replayed the events of the evening. Her defiance, the way she looked at me when she thought I couldn’t see her. That damn spark in her eyes that made me want to both crush her and protect her all at once. But I didn’t have time for this now.Danny was waiting when I arrived. My second-in-command was leaning against the wall near the door, a cigarette hanging from his lips. “You’re late, boss,” he muttered, flicking the cigarette away and crushing it under his boot. His eyes darted toward me, reading my mood. "You good?"“Where is he?” I barked, ignoring his question. Danny nodded, understanding the s
The evening was quiet as Isabella hummed softly, chopping vegetables in her kitchen, the warm smell of lasagna filling the small space. She had been looking forward to a peaceful night alone, just her and her homemade dinner. That’s when a sharp knock echoed through the house, interrupting the quiet.Isabella paused, the knife still in her hand. She glanced at the clock. 5:30 pm. Who would be visiting at this time? Wiping her hands on a dish towel, she moved to the front door. When she opened it, there was no one there—just a large package sitting on her doorstep, wrapped in elegant blue paper and tied with a bow. Her eyes darted up and down the street. Nothing. Not a single person in sight. A slight frown formed on her face as she bent down, hesitating for a moment before picking up the box and bringing it inside. She set it on the kitchen counter, curiosity bubbling inside her.“What the hell is this?” she muttered to herself as she pulled the bow loose and carefully unwrapped the
Logan’s pulse hammered in his ears as he pinned her against the door, his large hands gripping Isabella’s arms tightly enough to hold her in place but not enough to hurt her. His lips crashed onto hers without thinking, the need to possess her overriding every rational thought. It wasn’t supposed to be like this—he wasn’t supposed to lose control. Not with her. But the moment her lips met his, every ounce of cold, calculated restraint shattered. She tasted like trouble and he hated it. Hated the way his body responded to her, hated the fire that ignited between them the second he touched her. He wasn’t the type of man to be moved by women, especially not someone like Isabella. "Get her out of your system," Logan’s mind growled. "This is just sexual frustration. It’s nothing more." But as his hand slipped up her thigh, gripping the soft skin under her dress, he felt her body tremble, not with desire but with fear. Panic. The second his fingers brushed the thin fabric of her underwea
The stillness of the night enveloped Izzy as she abruptly woke up, her mind hazy and disoriented. The quiet of the house almost seemed oppressive, the ticking of the clock on her nightstand magnifying the deafening silence that wrapped around her. She blinked several times, trying to shake off the grogginess, and slowly the events of earlier that evening came rushing back. Logan’s touch. His lips on hers. The possessive way he held her against the door. The intensity of the kiss that had left her breathless and vulnerable. She sat up in bed, heart racing as she thought about it. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks as she recalled the way she had let herself melt into the moment, how easily she had given in to the heat between them. But then… then she had panicked. The second his hand had started to trail up her dress, her body froze, not in desire but in fear. That old, familiar fear that Ace had burned into her. "Ace," she whispered under her breath, feeling a cold shudder ripple thr
Izzy stood at the bus stop, her eyes scanning the street, lost in thought about her conversation with Ron earlier. She had managed to avoid most of his questions about Logan, but she knew it wasn’t the end. Ron would pry more—it was in his nature. But the truth? She couldn't tell him that. Not about Logan being "D." Not about the threats. Not about what she'd seen Logan do.A sleek black car pulled up in front of her, snapping her back to the present. The tinted window rolled down, and Logan’s sharp, dark eyes locked onto hers from the driver’s seat.“Get in,” he said flatly, his voice leaving no room for argument.Her pulse quickened, and she took a step back, shaking her head. "I’m walking."Logan’s gaze hardened, his fingers tapping the steering wheel with a dangerous kind of patience. “Isabella,” he said slowly,the way he said her name sent shivers down her spine"I’m not asking. If you don’t get in the car, I’ll make you. And I don’t think you want that."Her heart skipped a beat,
Izzy sat cross-legged on her bed, idly flipping through a magazine while Ron lounged across from her, leaning against a pile of pillows. They had been hanging out for the better part of the afternoon, their usual banter filling the room with lighthearted chatter. But Ron was never one to miss an opportunity to dig into something that intrigued him.He glanced at her, then narrowed his eyes playfully. “Okay, spill it. How exactly do you know Logan? And don’t give me that ‘he just showed up’ nonsense.”Izzy felt her stomach flip, her fingers suddenly tightening on the edges of the magazine. She had been expecting this conversation—Ron was way too curious to just let it slide—but that didn’t make it any easier to navigate. How could she explain any of it without revealing too much?She put the magazine down, trying to maintain a neutral expression. “We just kind of... crossed paths.”Ron sat up straighter, his eyes gleaming with interest. “Crossed paths? Izzy, that guy came running to yo
Izzy entered the college campus with a mix of relief and anxiety. The bright morning sun illuminated the quad where students milled about, their voices a comforting background hum. She spotted her friend—Ron standing with Megan, and Josh—gathered under a large oak tree near the fountain. Ron, always the center of attention with his animated stories, had a crowd of students laughing along with him.As Izzy approached, Ron’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Hey, look who’s finally graced us with her presence! Did you get lost on a secret adventure or something?”Megan and Josh turned their attention to her, their smiles fading into expressions of concern. “Hey, Izzy,” Megan said, her voice gentle. “We were starting to worry. You disappeared pretty quickly the other night.”Izzy forced a smile, trying to push away the shadows of recent events. “Yeah, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I had to... deal with some stuff.”Josh leaned forward, his curiosity evident. “Deal with what? You’ve got us
Izzy descended the stairs, her head still throbbing from the events of last night. As she reached the lower level, she found Logan in the foyer, engaged in conversation with a group of well-dressed men. Their gazes fell on her immediately, and she felt a rush of discomfort under their scrutiny. One of the men, a tall figure with slicked-back hair and a designer suit, eyed her with a smirk. “Well, look who’s up,” he said, his tone condescending. “Feeling better, I hope?”Another man, stockier with a grizzled face, looked her up and down with a smirk. “She doesn’t look too great. Seems like she had quite a night.”A third man, with a neatly trimmed beard and a cocky attitude, leaned in and whispered to his companions, “Did you see the way she was dressed last night? Talk about making an impression.”Izzy felt her face flush with embarrassment. She wanted to retreat, but Logan’s presence was a stern reminder that there was nowhere to hide.Logan’s expression darkened as he noticed their
Izzy woke with a start, her eyes fluttering open to an unfamiliar room bathed in soft morning light. She blinked a few times, trying to make sense of where she was. The bed beneath her was large, luxurious, and far too comfortable to be her own. As she attempted to sit up, a sharp pain shot through her temples, forcing her to groan and lay her head back down on the pillow.Her mind was foggy, the events of the previous night a blur. She closed her eyes, trying to piece together what had happened. There had been a party… her friends… dancing… then the guy—her body tensed at the memory of him, his hands on her, pulling her into that room. Tears welled up in her eyes as the details came flooding back, a sickening knot forming in her stomach as she remembered what he had tried to do. And then, Logan. He had come for her. Saved her.Logan.The thought of him made her heart pound in a way she didn’t want to acknowledge. She remembered how safe she had felt in his arms, the way her fear had