LOGINREBECCA I couldn't breathe.The air around me suddenly felt thick enough to choke. How did he find me?How did he get here?Why were my hands shaking so violently?He noticed the last after a simple glance, then raised his head to meet my eyes once more and said with the straightest of faces. “It seems so little has changed since we last met, Lalka.”That name. After all these years, that damned name still managed to haunt me as deeply as the first victim he'd used it on.“Marcus” I said, voice breaking. “You’re—”“I'd like to talk to you. Alone” he said. He didn't look around, but I was sure he was referring to the trio still completely stunned by his presence. I didn't have to think too much about it before makinf a decision. “Guys, I think you should leave.”“Rebecca—”“Leave” I countered before Max could chirp audibly enough for Marcus to notice and pinpoint the familiar tone. Luckily, Bianca followed my instructions faster than anyone else. “Let's go. We'll come back lat
REBECCA“Did something happen between you three?” I asked.Neither of them answered, but I definitely sure something had transpired between the group.Vanessa sat so far away from Max, you would've thought he had some sort of life-threatening disease. Weird, especially aftrerr they seemed virtually inseperable the last time I saw them. Bianca was the exact opposite. Her presence seemed to be only thing standing between Max and a violent explosion.This was my first time meeting each other, and honestly, I could see why both brothers were so hung up on her. She was incredibly beautiful, and had those kind of tender eyes that could melt you in seconds. And then, there was Max. He looked like shit.I set out three small shot glasses and poured a generous amount of tequila in each before serving them up. “Sorry I'm late. Had a couple things to attend to on the way here.”“That's fine—”“Can we get to the point, Rebecca?” Max cut in.The desperation in his eyes barely outweighed the fa
REBECCAI thought he was dead.With everything else on my plate, keeping tabs on the Lang family was the only way I stayed one step ahead. I’d heard about their little “family picnic.” Cute. I wasn’t fooled for a second. Those annual events were never innocent… just another chance to flaunt power or rope in fresh meat for the machine.But Marcus? That was the last thing I expected.The thought of him sent ice crawling down my spine. I shifted in my seat, staring out the train window at nothing, pretending the darkness outside held my attention. It didn’t help. The weight in my chest refused to ease.That man terrified me. Worst part? As fucked as my life had become, Marcus Callaghan was the closest thing I’d ever had to a father figure. He was the reason I even knew Brian… back when Liam and I still trained together under his watch. I could still hear Marcus’s snide jokes and dry remarks cutting through the tension whenever Liam and I sparred.Weird to admit, but if I was Prince Zuko
MAX“Do I know you??”The bastard couldn’t even say my name. Of course he couldn’t. What the fuck was I thinking? The man who abandoned me eighteen years ago would suddenly remember who I was? What a goddamn joke.Why was I even upset? I’d been fuming since I left the office. The drive back to school did nothing. Trying to distract myself by watching the team’s basketball practice wasn’t working either. The more time passed, the angrier I got.I sat on the bleachers, elbows on my knees, jaw locked so tight it hurt. As if last night's ordeal couldn't get any worse, I woke up this morning feeling like I'd worsened my ankle injury with all that moving.My knee throbbed under the brace… a constant reminder that I was still benched for three months after that nasty twist last month. The team was running drills without me, sneakers squeaking against the polished floor, the ball echoing like it was mocking me. IlI should’ve been out there. Instead I was stuck here, useless, replaying
BRIANWould you rather be loved, respected or feared?My father was the kind of person that would slap you across the face for such a question. He didn't care about respect, and love to him was as fickle as a leaf in autumn. But fear?You'd have thought he was was Pennywise from the way he fed on the emotion. Surprisingly, I probably knew as much about my father as anyone else in Lang Corp. His reputation proceeded him, and there were more than enough stories to make you think he was some myth walking amongst men.The most vivid memory I had of him, was one from almost twenty years ago—The night he dissapeared after leaving me on the front porch of Lancaster Lang, his then best friend and owner of Lang Corp. Long story short? My father owed a debt, and apparently, using me to steal my stepmother's medical fees didn't even amount to half of it. To fully pay off his dues, he sold me as well.The Lang family became my new home, a haven where I was beaten and bruised and starved unti
TIFFANY My dad had never been so googly eyed in his entire life.It was crazy to see. The stout, unimpressed disciplinarian of the family all giddy because some “Liam” guy formally introduced him as the newest member of the Lang Corporation with the most impressive prospects. I guess in a way, for him, it was that one moment that made it feel like all his efforts were worth it. But my dad was pretty much the only person stt the table that looked like he was about to explode in joy. My mom remained straightfaced, more because she wasn't as comfortable around crowds as she was a couple years back. And then, there was me… who'd been looking for an opportunity to leave this table for the past thirty minutes. Reason:Theo was five tables away. Tall and composed, blending into the sea of dark tuxedos and sharp stares. I wonder if he wanted to talk to me as much as I wanted to talk him. I had to find a way to leave this table and pull him elsewhere. ***THEOI had to find a way to ge







