LOGINAlina’s POV
After they left, I finally lowered the gun, my hands trembling now that the immediate threat was gone. Ronan gently took it from me, engaging the safety and tucking it away.“You okay?” he asked quietly.“I held a gun on someone,” I said, the reality hitting me. “I threatened to shoot her.”“You protected yourself,” he corrected. “It's different princess."“Is it?” I looked at him closely. “Because it didn’t feel different. It felt… eaMarcus's POVI took a breath. This was the part where I could pull back. Where I could make a joke or change the subject and keep my walls intact.But Chloe had asked. And I was tired of hiding."You scare me," I admitted."I scare you?""Terrify me. Because protecting you makes me feel useful. It gives me purpose when I've spent years feeling like I don't deserve one." I met her eyes. "But it's more than that. Somewhere between teaching you to fight and watching you adapt and listening to you talk about your fears… I started seeing you as more than a mission.""What do you see me as?""Someone I'm falling for. Someone who makes me want things I thought I'd given up on." My voice cracked slightly. "Someone I can't imagine my life without anymore."Her eyes went wide. "Marcus…""I know it's fast. I know it's complicated with Dominic and Lucian. I know I'm probably the worst option of the three because I come
Marcus's POVChloe arrived at my apartment at exactly six PM, right on schedule for her rotation. The knock came soft but certain—three quick raps that I'd recognize anywhere now.I'd spent the whole day preparing. Cleaning corners that were already spotless. Checking the security systems for the third time. Making sure I had her favorite snacks stocked in the kitchen. Pathetic, really. I was acting like this was a date instead of a protection detail. But something about Chloe made me want to be more than just the guy with the gun.When I opened the door, she looked exhausted. Dark circles under her eyes. Hair pulled back in a messy bun. Shoulders slumped like she'd been carrying something heavy all day."Hey," I said, stepping aside. "Come in."She dropped her bag by the door and looked around my place. Her eyes moved slow, taking in the converted warehouse space—the exposed brick walls, the floor-to-ceiling windows, the furniture that
Chloe’s POVAt two in the morning, unable to sleep, I finally called Alina.I’d been putting it off for days. Weeks, maybe. Too ashamed to admit I was living the exact situation I’d judged her for.She answered on the second ring, sounding wide awake. “Chloe? What’s wrong?”“I need to talk to you.”“Okay. Hold on.” I heard movement, a door closing. “Okay, I’m in my office. Elena’s asleep, and I’ve got all night. Talk to me.”Where did I even start?“Remember when you got involved with Jaxon, Maddox, and Ronan?” I asked. “Remember how I said it was crazy and inappropriate and you should choose one?”“I remember. You were very vocal about it.”“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” My voice broke. “Because I get it now. I understand why you couldn’t choose. Why you needed all
Chloe’s POVI was reading on Lucian’s couch when my phone rang with a FaceTime call from Jake.My younger brother. The one person I’d been successfully avoiding for months.I almost didn’t answer. But guilt won out.“Hey, Jake.” I tried to sound normal, casual, like my life wasn’t a complete disaster.His face filled the screen—twenty-two, still baby-faced despite his attempts to grow a beard, wearing his college hoodie.“Finally!” He looked relieved and annoyed simultaneously. “Do you know how long it’s been since we actually talked?”“I know. Sorry. Work’s been crazy.”“Too crazy to text your brother back?” He narrowed his eyes. “What’s going on? And don’t say ‘nothing’ because Mom said you sounded weird last time she called.”“I talked to Mom?”“Weeks
Lucian’s POVI knocked on Dominic’s loft door at exactly eight AM, as scheduled. The rotation had Chloe moving to my place for the next two days, and I was early because I’d missed her.Pathetic, really. I’d seen her three days ago. But those three days felt like weeks.Dominic answered, shirtless and rumpled, clearly just woken up. “You’re early.”“Traffic was light.” I looked past him. “Is Chloe ready?”“She’s packing. Come in.”I stepped into the loft, immediately noticing the changes. Chloe’s things scattered around—her laptop on the table, her jacket on the couch, coffee mug in the sink. She’d made herself at home here in a way she hadn’t at my place.Something unpleasant twisted in my chest.“Coffee?” Dominic offered, heading to the kitchen.“Sure.”He moved around the space wit
Dominic’s POVI pushed inside her—slow, inch by inch, feeling her stretch around me. Her mouth fell open. A sound came out, something between a gasp and a moan, and her nails dug into my shoulders hard enough to draw blood."Fuck," she whispered. "Dominic… you're so…""Am I hurting you?""No. God, no. Don't stop. Please don't stop."I bottomed out inside her, and we both stilled for a moment, breathing each other's air, foreheads pressed together. Her walls fluttered around me, adjusting to my size. She was so tight. So warm. So perfect."You okay?" I asked."More than okay." She kissed me, soft and sweet. "Move. Please."I did.I pulled out slow, then pushed back in, setting a rhythm that was deep and deliberate. Each thrust made her gasp. Each withdrawal made her whimper. Her legs tightened around my waist, pulling me deeper, and I groaned against her neck."Like that?" I asked.
Later that afternoon I found Chloe in the library, surrounded by boxes and packing materials. She was leaving for Seattle tomorrow, starting her new job, beginning her fresh start away from all this chaos.“So you’re really staying,” she said when I entered. It wasn't a q
Alina’s POV - The Next MorningI woke up in my old room at the compound, sunlight streaming through familiar windows, the distant sound of motorcycles and conversation drifting up from below. For the first time in weeks, I’d slept deeply, dreamlessly, without the constant low-level anxiety that had
Alina’s POV - Two Weeks LaterThe apartment was perfect—modern, secure, not too far from the compound but far enough to feel separate. Two bedrooms, one for me and one for Chloe, at least until she left for Seattle. The floors were hardwood, the windows were big and sturdy, and the security system
Alina’s POVTwo weeks after the guilty verdict, the courtroom was packed once more for the sentencing. This was the moment—the end of Marcus Hart's journey, from a respected Police Commissioner to a convicted criminal.I took my usual seat, with Jaxon on my right, Maddox on my left, and Ronan sitti







