Novels by Nerak

The doorknob turned another inch, and the wood groaned. I was ready to scream, to hurl the marble lamp from my nightstand, to defend myself against Rusty with whatever I could find.But the door swung open, and the hallway light illuminated a slender figure wrapped in a silk robe."Luke? Are you still awake, sweetheart?" Darla’s soft voice flooded the room.I let out a sigh so long my lungs actually ached. I collapsed back against the pillows, feeling a cold sweat drench the back of my neck. The relief was so intense I nearly burst into tears. It wasn't him."Mom… you scared me," I managed to say, trying to steady my breathing.She sat on the edge of the bed and took my hand. Her eyes shone with a happiness that made me feel guilty. I wanted to tell her. I wanted to scream that her new husband’s youngest son was the man who had shattered my heart that very morning, and that the eldest was a monster who had harassed me in the hallway minutes ago.But the words stuck in my throat. If I

I stood there, in the center of the Grand Hall, my ears ringing. The revelation of Rusty and Frederick as my new stepbrothers had left me in a state of numb shock.Every fiber of my being screamed at me to run, to go back to our small, dilapidated apartment, but my feet were pinned to the marble."Richard…" I managed to say, forcing a voice that sounded tired rather than on the verge of a panic attack. "Please, I’m exhausted. It’s been a… long day. Could you show me to my room?"Richard Bayron nodded with a mechanical courtesy that set my teeth on edge. "Of course, Luke. The transition can be overwhelming." He looked at my mother, Darla, who watched him with a devotion that made my stomach turn. "Darla, dear, join us. I want you to see that we haven't spared any detail for our new son."'Our new son.' That simple phrase made me feel smothered.We ascended the imperial staircase, passing right by Frederick and Rusty. The former remained leaning against the railing, watching me with a p

Through the window of the armored car, the outside world seemed to fade away, replaced by a private road flanked by ancient oaks that closed over us like the claws of a giant.When the vehicle finally came to a halt, the air escaped my lungs.It wasn't a house. It wasn't even a mansion. It was a monument to excess, a fortress of white stone and glistening glass rising against the gray sky. The Bayron property was easily three times larger than my entire university’s main campus."It’s our home, Luke. Get used to it," my mother said, touching up her lipstick with hands that no longer trembled.The car door was opened from the outside by one of the men in black. As I stepped out, the chill of the entrance marble seemed to crawl up my legs. At the top of the main staircase, he was waiting for us.Richard Bayron was exactly as the rumors described him: imposing, wearing a suit that likely cost more than my entire education, and a smile that didn't reach his shark-like eyes."Darla, darlin

Luke’s POVThe bitter aroma of freshly roasted coffee was the only thing keeping my nerves in place as I hurried through the halls of St. Hale University.Today was my 18th birthday. The day my boyfriend, Rusty Bayron, was finally supposed to introduce me to his world.For six months, Rusty and I have been in love in secret. Being the star athlete, no one expects him to choose a man over a woman, so our meetings stay hidden from everyone.But last night, his promises changed everything. "Tomorrow we’ll make it official, Luke," he had whispered in my ear. "Tomorrow, the world will know that I like you and we can be together."A small smile played on my lips. Rusty had always leaned toward the dramatic, even if he occasionally used burner phones due to his obsession with privacy.I had simply put on my favorite shirt and walked through the university corridors until I reached the auditorium wing.As I approached, I noticed the heavy oak doors were ajar. Rusty was definitely in there!Wi