Novel-novel oleh Author J

TWO YEARS LATER Avery’s POV Two years had made our lives peaceful and beautiful. Our bar had become the locals’ favorite, with dim lighting, good music, and drinks. Rafa pretended he didn't enjoy crafting, even though he was annoyingly good at it. Kane managed the books silently, as usual. The other men, Matteo, Sera, Lucas, and Pablo now worked security and delivery. No one asked about or talked about the past anymore. Upstairs, our apartment smelled like coffee and Rafa’s cologne, and the stupid vanilla diffuser Rafa kept buying because “it makes the place smell civilized.” Tonight was special for us. We closed early, locked the doors, and went upstairs. The moonlight cast across the bedroom, illuminating the faint scar on Rafa’s jaw. The one I kissed every morning. He leaned against the dresser, arms crossed, watching me like I was the only thing worth seeing. “You’re late,” he murmured, though he still smirked. “I know,” I said. “I wanted to keep you waiting.”

Avery’s POVThe morning after Antonio’s death was the first time in a long while I actually woke up without bracing for impact. No alarms or panic just sunlight and Rafa’s arm draped across my waist, like he was worried I’d disappear if he loosened his grip.His breath was warm on the back of my neck. He was out cold.For a minute, I just watched him, saw the ease on his face I hardly ever noticed, watched the slow rise and fall of his chest, and observed how relaxed he was.He deserved mornings like this. Hell, he deserves mornings like this forever.I didn't even notice he was awake until he spoke. “Take a picture, it will last longer.”“You’re the one holding me hostage,” I murmured.His lips curved slightly. “Get used to it.”Yeah. I was already used to it.He pressed a slow kiss on my forehead before forcing himself upright. “We have things to talk about.”I sat up too, pulling the sheets to my waist. “Okay. So talk.”Rafa scrubbed a hand over his face before meeting my eyes. “An

Avery’s POVThe world blurred into shadows as we left the island.The two of us slipped into a fisherman’s boat, the wind whipping in our faces.Rafa didn't touch me the entire ride. His silence was like calm before the storm.His jaw stayed locked the whole trip, eyes staring straight ahead, hands clenching and unclenching on his knees as if fighting the urge to destroy something.I kept throwing glances at him.I guess he finally had enough.“You’re staring.”“You’re thinking too loud,” I shot his own words back at him.“I'm trying to think.”I swallowed and faced forward, but the tension between us was thick enough to choke on.When the boat reached the mainland, we jumped straight into a cab, then two buses, then another shitty taxi with ripped seats. We didn't turn on the phones, and no unnecessary stops were made.We reached the safe house around dawn. My legs ached, and my nerves felt like exposed wire.The building was behind an abandoned mechanic shop on the outskirts of town

Avery’s POV For a while, we walked without talking, the sun setting into a soft golden hue over the rooftops. The air smelled like citrus and sea salt. I could pretend this wasn't borrowed time. Rafa’s shoulder occasionally brushed mine, and every time it did, my heartbeat quickened. We stopped near a railing overlooking the harbor. Fishing boats rocked gently, water glittering like diamonds. Rafa leaned both arms on the railing and looked over the water, his sunglasses dangling from his fingers. He looked calm, more than I had ever seen him. “You’re thinking too loudly,” he said without looking at me. I scoffed. “How can someone think loudly? That doesn't make any sense.” “With you, it does.” I nudged him with my hips. He nudged back, harder, making me stumble. “Rafa!” He smirked. “Watch your balance, Ethan.” “Don't call me, Ethan,” I groaned. “It makes me sound like a middle-aged man.” He hummed, amused, and slipped his sunglasses back on. Then without warn

Avery’s POVThe first problem with going off-grid was simple: I wasn't built for normal life.The second problem was that Rafa sure as hell wasn't either.And the third? People stared at us way too much, probably because we looked like two criminals trying hard and failing to blend in.Which… yeah, we were.The motel we ended up in for the night was off a lonely highway, the kind that rented rooms by the hour and had questionable stains on the walls. But it was far from the city, far from the families, and far from everyone who wanted us dead.Kane had left an hour earlier to meet the others at the safe house, which meant it was just the two of us alone in a tiny, overheated motel room with a buzzing AC unit and a single bed.Rafa dropped the bags on the mattress and pulled out two envelopes.“New identities.”He handed me one, and I opened it.“Seriously?” I groaned. “This is the worst fake name I’ve ever seen.”Rafa didn't look up from his own paperwork.“Ethan Hale is a perfectly f

Avery’s POV The drive back to the estate felt longer than any mission I’d been on, maybe because there was nothing left to fight and no immediate threat. Just the slow, heavy realization that things wouldn't be the same anymore. My mind was still spinning. Everything was too overwhelming to process in one night. Kane kept his eyes straight on the road, unreadable expression, only glancing at the rearview mirror now and then as if he was quietly making sure neither Rafa nor I were about to break. Rafa drove silently, one hand gripping the wheel, the other tight around the gearshift like that was the only thing keeping him steady. He wasn't angry at me. But at everything else? Absolutely. Then Kane broke the silence. “Two SUVs followed us for six blocks. They peeled off after the highway split,” he said in a low, calm voice. Rafa nodded, still focused on the road. “Antonio’s men?” “Probably,” Kane replied. “They kept their distance, didn't try to engage. They were just watchi