LOGINMelissa's Pov I needed air. The arena felt suffocating after the loss. The celebration happened around Sterling’s section. I slipped out of the owner’s box while Gavin was talking to the coaching staff and headed down the corridor toward the exit.The hallway was quieter here. Away from the crowds. I could only hear the muffled sound of celebration bleeding through the walls.I leaned against the cool concrete and closed my eyes.“Well, well, well.”My eyes snapped open. Tasha stood at the end of the hallway. Still in her Sterling media credentials. With a camera hanging around her neck. Her face still had that annoying smile.She started walking toward me slowly. Like she was attempting to catwalk, but it just looked funny.“It’s been a while, Melissa.”I straightened and forced my expression to be calm even though my heart was racing. “Tasha.”“Did you enjoy the game?” She stopped a few feet away. Close enough that I could see the gleam in her eyes. “I know I did.”I said nothing.
Melissa's Pov I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my Titans jersey one more time.It was official merchandise…it was deep blue with silver accents, it had the team logo emblazoned across the chest. I’d paired it with dark jeans and boots, with my hair pulled back in a high ponytail.Today was game day. Finally, the day of the championship.My stomach fluttered with nerves even though I wasn’t the one playing.“You look perfect,” Gavin said from the doorway.I turned to find him already dressed in suit pants and a crisp white shirt, his own Titans jersey was draped over one arm. He’d put it on at the arena, maintaining his big boy professional image until game time.“Are you sure?” I smoothed down the front of the jersey. “Not too casual?”“You’re the team photographer. You’re supposed to look like you’re part of the team.” He crossed the room and pulled me against him. “And you look beautiful.”“Flatterer.”“It’s the truth.” He kissed my forehead. “Ready?”“Ready.” I grabbed my
Melissa’s POV“Good girl.”The words hung in the air, thick with promise. Gavin’s eyes darkened as he lifted me higher on the table, spreading my legs wider with his strong hands. The cool wood pressed against my back, but I barely felt it…his gaze burned hotter than anything else in the room.He stepped back just enough to rake his eyes over me, from my flushed cheeks down to my heaving chest, lingering on the curve of my hips, the tremble in my thighs. He looked at me like I was a meal laid out for him. Like something decadent and forbidden he’d been starving for. His tongue darted out to wet his lips, and a low growl rumbled from his chest.“Look at you, piccola,” he murmured, voice rough with hunger. “Spread out like a feast. All mine to devour.”“Dio mio, piccola… sei una meraviglia che non dovrebbe esistere.” (My God, little one… you’re a wonder that shouldn’t even exist.)“What does that mean Gavin?”Instead of answering he just stared at me . I shivered under that stare, my bo
Melissa’s POVThe restaurant was very beautiful to look at. Before I met Gavin I hardly had any reason to go to such fancy places and now I have gone to so many I've lost count.It made me realize how bad things with Jason were. I had to buy most of the food we ate whenever we went out and most times he would even yell at me when I didn’t have enough. I turned my head, throwing Troy out of my mind, that was when I noticed the restaurant was completely empty.My heels clicked against the marble floor as we walked inside. The sound echoed in the silence.“Gavin?” I stopped, looking around. “Why is no one here?”“I wanted to eat properly,” he said simply.I turned to face him. “Where’s the food? Are we going to prepare it ourselves?”He smiled softly and began to walk toward me slowly. I moved back slightly, my pulse quickening.His eyes…God, his eyes held so much hunger. Not for food. For me.I gulped.“I wanted to wait a bit,” he said, his voice dropping lower. “But I can’t anymore, p
Melissa’s POVI sat on the edge of my bed, phone pressed to my ear, listening to it ring once, twice…“Hello, sweetheart.”Mom’s voice came through the phonr, and something in my chest loosened.“Mom, when are you coming back? It’s been up to a week. I miss you.”“I’m coming back soon, honey. I’ve just been very occupied.” There was something in her voice. Something I couldn’t quite place but I was really worried. “But I love you and I miss you. Just take care of yourself, okay?”“Are you okay? You sound… different.”“I’m fine, baby. Actually, I have something to tell you when I get back.”My hand tightened on the phone. “You have something to tell me? Did something happen?”“No, baby, nothing serious.” She said it too quickly. “But I’ll tell you everything when I’m back, okay? I love you.”“I love you too, Mom.”The line went dead.I stared at my phone for a long moment. Something was off. Mom never sounded that… evasive. But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. The tournament is tomo
Jason’s POV“Melissa, come with me.”She blinked. “What?”“Please come with me.” I stepped forward again, my hands outstretched but not touching her, I needed her to be comfortable with me . “You aren’t safe and I want you to come with me.”“What do you mean I’m not safe?”I ran my hands through my hair. Once. Twice. Like I was running mad. Maybe I was. Everything about this was fucked up. I should not even be doing this because it counts as betrayal. But what can I do? I’m totally lost in her hazel eyes. I’mA freaking lost man and I couldn’t watch her die. I just couldn’t.“I can’t explain but I don’t want to see you hurt. You can choose me now and end all this.”Her eyes widened. Then narrowed. “It’s the Five Families, isn’t it? Is that why Gavin has been so busy? They’re finally retaliating.”Fuck. She was too smart for her own good.“Melissa, you don’t know how fucked up and scary they can be.” I grabbed her shoulders. “Why do you insist on being so goddamn stubborn? Please.”She







