Novels by Skylar Vandler

PAULA’S POVBefore the accident…I sat low in the rental van’s passenger seat, the one that my cousin gave us. The city, a smear of sodium lights through the tinted windows. My fingers drummed a nervous rhythm on my thigh, the sting still fresh from my last line. Mark kept glancing at me, like I’m a live wire he’s afraid to touch.“Where is she?” I snapped, louder than I meant to. “You said she’d be back an hour ago.”Mark shrugged, voice thin with nerves. “Maybe she’s tied up. Busy in the bakery…” He tried to sound casual, but his knuckles were white on the wheel.“Busy?” I laughed, a hard bark that tastes like metal. “Busy wasting Marion’s time while I wait here like an idiot.”He swallowed. “Paula, calm down. We said we’d wait. If she’s late, she’s late. Don’t—”“Don’t what?” I cut him off. “Don’t get impatient? Don’t remind me why I need him back?” My smile was a blade. I felt it slide through him.We idled on the shoulder, headlights pooled in the asphalt, the highway mostly empt

MARION“Boss, they’ve arrested Mark, and he confessed. He had an accomplice,” Stephen said on the line, his voice tight.I stepped out of Demetria’s room, closing the door softly behind me. “...And who is it?” I asked, my tone low, controlled.A pause. Then Stephen answered, “Paula, Boss.”“What the hell? Is this true?” I snapped, the words harsher than I meant.“Yeah,” he said, quiet but steady. “From Mark’s own mouth. He confessed.”I swallowed, anger and disbelief tangling in my chest. There was a beat of silence, then Stephen’s voice came low over the line. “Boss—”“Alright. Stay close to her apartment,” I ordered Stephen, my tone clipped and icy. “Don’t let her out of your sight. And call the police, I’ll be there shortly.”“Yes, Boss.”I ended the call and immediately dialed Marcel. He picked up on the first ring.“Marcel, I just found out who Mark’s accomplice is,” I said, pacing down the hospital corridor. “It’s Paula.”“I was about to call you,” Marcel replied. “I found out

DEMETRIA“WHAT?!” I shrieked, the truth hitting me like a physical blow. “What the hell?” I whispered, still trying to process, my mind spinning.“Be careful, Wildfire,” Marion said softly, reaching for my hand.“Why would he do that to me?” I cried, tears spilling freely down my cheeks. “Is Mark really that cruel? Because of what?”“Don’t cry, baby,” he murmured, his thumb brushing gently over my knuckles. “I’ve already called for his arrest. They’re bringing him in as we speak. I’ll go and see him soon. Just… relax, alright?”“I need to speak to him, Marion,” I said firmly, my voice trembling but determined.“Wild—” he began, but I cut him off.“No, Marion. I just want to ask him a few questions.”He sighed, eyes heavy with conflict. “Okay,” he finally said, his tone low and controlled. “But when you’re stronger. When you’re able to move around, you’ll go with me. Not before.”“But—”“No buts,” he interrupted, his jaw tightening. “Heal first.”“Fine,” I muttered, pouting like a chil

MARION“Mmm…” A low groan slipped from Demetria’s lips as she tried to move, only to cry out in pain. “Ouch!”“Careful, Wildfire,” I murmured, standing quickly and leaning over her, trying to keep my voice steady.Anastasia hovered on the other side of the bed, eyes wide and glistening as she stared down at her friend. She came in a few minutes ago.It took a few moments before Demetria’s lashes fluttered open. Confusion clouded her face, her brows pinched, lips parted. She blinked a few times, eyes darting around the room until they landed on Anastasia… then finally on me.She tried to speak, but another weak groan escaped instead.“Hold on, girl. Don’t push yourself,” Anastasia said softly, brushing a hand over Demetria’s arm.Demetria closed her eyes again, taking a couple of shallow breaths before slowly blinking them open. “Wha— what…” She coughed, voice raw and trembling.Demetria’s eyes moved between us, dazed but searching. “What… happened?” she whispered, her voice hoarse an

MARIONThe ambulance screeched to a halt outside Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The back doors swung open, and paramedics rushed her out. I followed close behind, my heart pounding so violently I could feel it in my throat.“Sir, you’ll need to wait outside the trauma unit,” one of the nurses said firmly, but I barely heard her. I caught one last glimpse of Demetria’s face as they wheeled her through the sliding doors, pale, fragile, but still so heartbreakingly beautiful beneath the harsh hospital lights.I froze in the hallway, the air too thin to breathe. This isn’t happening. Please, not her.I turned and pressed a hand against the cool wall, trying to steady myself. My fingers were still trembling when Anastasia burst through the ER entrance minutes later, hair wild, tears streaking down her face.“Where’s my best friend!” Anastasia’s voice boomed. Her eyes darted around, and when they landed on me, she rushed over. Her husband was right behind her. “What happened?” she cried in a

MARION“She’s not here? It’s getting late.” I muttered, sitting up on the bed. The soft glow of my phone screen illuminated the empty room. No missed calls, no messages from her. 9:32 PM. My chest tightened slightly.I shrugged on a loose T-shirt and pulled on a pair of sweatpants. Something didn’t feel right. I ran a hand through my hair, grabbed my keys, and headed down to the garage. Sliding into my Cybertruck, the familiar rumble of the engine gave me a small sense of control.I punched in her bakery address, hoping maybe she had stayed late experimenting with a new recipe. By the time I reached the street outside, it was 9:50 PM. The bakery was dark. Not a single light flicked on inside. My stomach twisted.I dialed her number quickly. The call rang once, then her automatic response cut in:Hi, this is Demetria. I’m busy in the kitchen right now. I’ll call you later.I ran a hand over my face, my mind racing. Busy? At this hour? Something’s off…I called again, voice sharper this