There were times it wasn’t all fun and games, though. The dangers of a club's lifestyle were real. There were fights, drugs, the occasional gunshot between Dad's charter and rival clubs, and Torin, the devil with the heart of gold, was in the thick of it all.As the months went on, I grew up fast. I started filling out in ways that made the older guys look twice. Torin noticed the change too, his glances lingered a little longer, his touches became a bit more deliberate. Yet, despite my desire that he would, he never stepped over the line.One night, after a particularly nasty run-in with a rival gang, Torin sat me down on an old crate in the garage, his eyes dark and serious. “You care about me, right?” he’d asked, his voice gravelly with exhaustion.I’d nodded. "Of course," I'd murmured, wondering where he was going with his question.Letting out a sigh, Torin stated, "Just don't put me on a pedestal, Princess. I'll only let you down."But I'd known he never would. And the day I turn
Tannin’s voice brought me out of my memories, as sitting beside me, her eyes filled with concern, she asked, "You okay?"Nodding, I swiped at a tear that cruised its way down my cheek. "Yeah. Just haunted by some old memories."Her hand found my shoulder and she gave it a gentle squeeze. "Here, lay back," she urged, fluffing the pillows behind me with her free one. "You need to rest."With a sigh, I laid back on the pillows, allowing them to envelope me like a warm hug. "What if...." I began, then shook my head, allowing the words to trail off. Too many questions to voice. What if Torin really was alive? Why now? Why, after a year of absence, did he come back?Tannin sat down on the edge of the bed, and taking my hand, she murmured, "For now, rest. You're in no kind of shape to figure any what-if's. Heal first, answers after, okay?"I knew she was right, and that worrying myself over something I couldn't say wasn't a dream, was not doing myself any favors. But the possibility Torin was
As I laid back down, my thoughts raced. How could I face the monster that Lucien had shown me he was? I had survived the attack, but the fear remained, like a stubborn stain on my soul. I needed to find a way to get him to leave me alone for good.I needed to be smart, to use my brains as a weapon.I thought back to the night of the attack, to the words that had been exchanged. "Where's the fucking money, Rylee?" he had snarled. Another puzzle piece I was missing. Had Torin taken the money? And if he did, how the hell had he gotten his hands on it?I knew I had to get better, to get my strength back. I needed to face this situation head-on, and I couldn't do that lying in bed.The following days were a blur of pain, both physical and emotional. Each breath I took was a reminder of the bullet that had pierced my side. Surgeon had patched me up as best as he could, but the healing process was slow. Tannin, Jess and Rook took turns caring for me, their eyes filled with a mix of concern an
I stared at the empty space where Torin had been. If what he said was true, then I was in deeper trouble than I had realized. This wasn't just about some stolen money as Lucien had claimed; it was about family bloodlines and vengeance.As the door to my room creaked open, I pretended to sleep, my breathing shallow and even. Soft footsteps approached my bed, and I peeked through my lashes, seeing Tannin. She looked exhausted, as leaning over me she tucked the edge of my blanket in a little more securely."How you doing? You need anything? Something to eat? Drink?" she asked.I shook my head, tempted to telling her about Torin visiting again, but for some reason I held my tongue.Her hand hovered for a moment longer before standing, she murmured, "Just holler if you change your mind," then retreated, closing the door softly behind her.After she'd left, I lay for hours, thinking about Torin's visit and listening to the sounds about the apartment; the low volume of the tv. The hum of air
Half an hour later, I made my way through the shadows, my senses on high alert for any sign of danger. I’d been unable to get a hold of Rook, and unable to let things rest until I did, I’d parked LadyBug a little way up the road from the Dinelli estate, and set out on foot. Now, as I reached the edge of the property, I heard a sound of twigs breaking underfoot, and before I could react, I had the barrel of a pistol pressed against the side of my head."You've got some nerve," a man's voice sneered right next to my ear. "You do realize this is private property, right?"I swallowed hard, my hand inching closer to the knife I’d placed in my waistband and fingers wrapping around the handle. “Private property? No, can’t say I did,” I lied, securing the knife in my grip.The man took a step closer, his bulk brushing against my back, but keeping the gun firmly in place. “Boss don’t take kindly to strangers crawling around the grounds,” he sneered. Afterward, he chuckled, a sound that sent chi
Without another word, I turned and walked away. Before I made it to the door, Torin grabbed my arm. “Dammit, Marlowe—” he began but I cut him off.“Don’t you fucking dare try to find some excuse to make what you've done sound better!” I shouted.“I’m not,” Torin breathed quietly.We stared at each other, the space between us a battlefield of unspoken words, unspoken feelings. His grip tightened, not painfully, but enough to assert his presence. Without looking at him, I wrenched my arm away and finished making my way to the door.As I reached for the doorknob, my hand trembled slightly. The smell of his aftershave, faint and intoxicating, circled around me, and for a moment, I was lost in the memory of our past—his touch, his kiss, the way he'd made me feel. But that was before. Before the lies. The betrayal.I jerked it open and stepped into the night. The door swung shut behind me, a final act of defiance and I strode toward LadyBug, my eyes stinging with unshed tears, leaving me fee
~TORIN~I watched Marlowe disappear through the door, the slam of it echoing behind her. I'd done what I had to do to keep her safe. But at what cost?I took a deep breath. She'd never forgive me for using her as I had, but I’d done what I had to. Better my uncle believe she was in possession of something he wanted, than the alternative.Walking over to the table, I picked up the USB—the small drive contained secrets that could bring down the entire Dinelli empire—secrets that had cost my parents their lives. I clenched my fist around it, feeling the plastic bite into my skin—a reminder of what I'd given up in the name of vengeance—my heart, my soul, maybe even my humanity.Restless, I paced the floor. Marlowe was hurt and angry, but it was a small price to pay for her life. The USB was my only leverage against my uncle now that he had placed a target on Marlowe's head. For a year, I had hidden, faked my death, and gathered information on my uncle and the Cartel.Mind racing, I continu
Carlos laughed, a harsh, brittle sound that echoed through the empty space. "You think Hell would want either of us? There is a far darker place for people like you and me.""That may be so, Uncle," I stated sarcastically, "But I know what's on this," I told him, gesturing toward the thumb drive, "and I know how badly you want it. So, let's make a deal."The silence between us was deafening as we stared at one another. Then, with a nod, Carlos gestured to the table in the center of the room. "Let's see what you got."When we approached the table, I pulled the USB out, placing it on the table's surface. "This is everything you need to take down your enemies," I told him. "Now tell me you’ll back your goons off Marlowe."Carlos’s smile grew wider. "Ah, the lovely Marlowe. My son says she’s quite fetching," he said, his eyes glinting.My fingers curled inwardly, the urge to pull my gun strong, but I held back, I wanted the mother-fucker dead. But I needed to know Marlowe would be safe be
I stared at Rook, with a mix of fear, confusion, and a strange, inexplicable excitement."So, what does it all mean?" I asked , my voice hushed.Rook's expression grew tight, his jaw clenching as he took a step closer to me. "It means," he began, his voice low and intense, "that I have to be careful. I can't risk losing control, especially around you.""But what if you do?" I couldn't help whispering, my eyes locked with his because of my own darkness. "What if the creature inside of you takes over?"Rook's eyes searched mine, the depth of his pain reflected in the depths of his own. "Then you'll have to save me," he murmured. "As I've always tried to save you."Drawn like a magnet, I stepped closer to him. "And what if I can't? What if the darkness is where you truly belong, though?"He took a deep, unsteady breath, his gaze never leaving mine. "Then I'll have to be the one to save us both," he said, his voice a mere breath.The room around me faded away with his nearness, the warmt
Chills skittered down my spine at the woman’s words, but as she continued, dread filled my every pore. "You see, I intend to test Rook's blood lust. And who better to do that with than someone he holds so dear?"I stood frozen in the dimly lit room, my heart pounding against my chest as the realization of my dire situation sank in. Sharella, with her flowing jet-black hair and porcelain skin, seemed to embody a haunting beauty that belied the darkness within her.“Rook would never harm me,” I breathed.Sharella's face was a twisted canvas of emotions, her lips pulled into a sinister smile. Her voice carried a malevolent lilt as she spoke, sending icy tendrils down my spine. "Oh, my dear," she sneered, "harm is but a pale word to describe what he will do to you."Her eyes glimmered with an unsettling confidence, casting an ethereal glow upon her features. "You see, Rook," she said, her voice laced with an otherworldly charm, "is not quite what you believe him to be."I leaned in, my cur
~ROOK~Three Hours LaterWhen I’d entered Catriana's room, I'd had no intention of doing what I'd done. Hell no I hadn't, I'd actually come to apologize for my actions earlier, but I hadn't been expecting what I'd found when I'd pushed through the doorway, either. Fuck, I mean, Jesus Christ, what red-blooded male wouldn't have reacted the same way I had!The vision that had been before me had nearly brought me to my knees with need, the hunger I'd carried for Catriana beat strongly within my groin, causing the usual swelling behind my zipper as I'd moved toward her masturbating figure like an automated puppet before slipping into bed beside her. I was no more able to deter my next action than I could have willingly stopped breathing as I laid my hand over hers, husking for her to keep going. However, I'd quickly came undone, as shifting our hands, she pushed me backward until my back rested against the bed, then climbing on top of me, she'd began grinding against my hard-on. Sweet me
The rest of the day was a blur, the weight of Grandma's death and the looming threat of the unknown attacker pressing down on everyone at the academy. I felt like I was walking on eggshells, waiting for the next explosion of emotion or accusation.At dinner, I sat next to Keeley, my eyes darting to Rook at the head of the table. He was deep in conversation with the coven leaders, his expression serious. I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing, mixed with anger and fear.The food was barely touched on my plate as I pushed it away. Keeley gave me a concerned look. "Everything okay?""No," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "But it will be."The evening brought a moment of reprieve as Keeley and I snuck out to the conservatory. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers, and the sound of the fountain was soothing. We sat in silence for a long time, just listening to the water and the crickets outside.Finally, Keeley broke the silence. "What are we going to do?" she as
~Cat~I awoke as the sun began poking its golden mane above the horizon and spread sleepy tendrils of orange and yellow ribbons across the sky. Rolling over I watched through tired eyes as the ribbons journeyed their way across the hard-wood floor, creeping towards where I lay, washing the room within their announcement of the new day.Within the sun's kiss, the room lightened and brightened, as a particularly persistent ribbon of light climbed up and onto the bed. It continued to methodically inch its way towards where I lay until it bathed my face in its warm golden touch, forcing me to hide beneath the spare pillow again in an effort to blot out its radiant smile. However, only a few seconds later, I found myself suffocating within the insulated heat of my own breath as the confined space around my head became overbearingly warm and stifling.Letting out a low, frustrated groan, I gave up and threw off the pillow as I pushed back the sheet and sat up. Afterward, rising, I began wip
~ROOK~Cat's words of, 'I was raped, Rook. Tied up and gagged while the bastard raped me,' were stuck in my head. My fists clenched at the memory of her tears, the fear and pain in her voice when she'd told me. I didn't believe that she didn't know who it was. Cat had been a little hellion growing up, but I knew her better than she thought. She was staying mum about her rapist for my sake, not theirs.The thought made me sick.I took a deep breath, trying to push aside the rage that was burning a hole through my chest. I had to stay focused. The coven was in mourning, and Grandmother's killer was still out there. Now was not the time for personal vendetta.Tannin had called me to see how I was doing, and the phone call had jarred the fact within me that I hadn't been to the bar in days. As such, I now found myself in my office, the music from the bar and the patrons' voices rattling through the walls.The office was a mess, a stark contrast to the well-managed chaos of the rest of the
Daniel’s words hung in the air, filled with implications that sent a shiver down my spine. Special was not a word I was used to hearing, not in a positive way at least. In the world of Anderson Academy, special usually meant something was wrong with you.I took another bite of the sandwich, buying myself time to think. "What does that even mean?" I asked, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.Daniel leaned back in his chair, his eyes searching my face. "It means that you're not just a witch. You're something much more powerful. And much more feared.""And what are you?" I whispered.He smiled faintly. "I'm a guide. Someone who's been around long enough to recognize the signs. Someone who knows how to navigate the world of the supernatural without getting burned."I swallowed hard, the food sticking in my throat. "And what's the catch?" I asked, my voice barely audible.He leaned forward, his eyes intense. "The catch is that you need to trust me. You need to let me help you. Becau
Daniel reached over and gently took my hand in his. His skin was cool and smooth. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that," he murmured. "It's just... you have abilities, things you don't even know about. Things that make you a target. And I can help you."I couldn't help but feel a little calmer when he held my hand, even though his words only served to confuse me further. I squeezed his hand back, wanting to believe him, wanting to trust him. But the more he spoke, the more I realized that trusting him would mean giving up a part of myself, accepting a reality that I wasn't sure I could handle.The car pulled up in front of a small, unassuming apartment building in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Daniel turned off the engine and turned to look at me, his expression serious. "This is where we'll be staying for now. It's not much, but it's safe." He leaned over and pressed a button on his keychain, unlocking the doors.I hesitated before getting out of the car, still trying t
I’d been gone for two days, when I found myself sitting in a diner just off the highway, nursing a cup of bitter coffee. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and I had no idea where to go or what to do. The only thing I knew for sure was that I couldn't go back to Raleigh Academy.Shane's words echoed in my mind, his taunts and threats refusing to leave me in peace. I tried to push them away, to focus on something else, but they were always there, lurking in the shadows. I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread deep in my gut.I glanced at the clock on the wall and realized it was nearly noon. I'd been sitting here for hours, my thoughts spinning in circles. I needed to make a decision, to figure out what to do. My options were few and far between.As I debated with myself, a figure caught my eye from the corner of my vision. A man, sitting alone in a booth across the diner. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't quite place him. Something about him seemed...off. Lik