LOGIN"You need to talk to her, Mr. Logan," I hear Ava's small voice from a distance, but I don't spare her a glance as my focus remains solely on Jayden, who is still asleep.He has been for the last couple of hours, and I'm worried he might have fallen back into a coma — even though the doctor reassured us a while ago that Jayden is just taking a nap.I don't buy it. If it were an ordinary nap, he should be awake by now.I need to ask him something.I need to know what exactly happened between him and Carl. And why Carl is so persistent, refusing to back down until he has his corpse."She won't leave his side. I'm worried for her," my ears catch Ava's concerned voice.She's speaking to Dave Logan — Jayden's dad. After Ava's call earlier, he came running to the hospital. I don't know if she mentioned Carl was here, but Dave has stationed two bodyguards outside Jayden's ward.He's just as anxious as the rest of us, especially since Jay is his only son and family. According to Jayden, his m
My face relaxes slightly and I sigh, running my hand through my hair. "It's not what you think," I try to convince her so she wouldn't be worried.But Ava snaps, her voice sharp with frustration. "Don't you get it, Whitney? He is dangerous. He and his friends. We cannot fight him alone. We can't...""I can..." I interrupt her, and she leans her head back, eyeing me like I just said something ridiculous.Okay, maybe I did. But I'm just driven by determination."Listen," I try to pacify her, knowing she's scared shitless. "We simply need to think this through before making a move. You know him and how influential his family is. They practically control this country, Ava. What makes you think calling our parents is the ultimate solution to our current problem? I know for a fact that my mom won't do much, if not withdraw me from college. I'm in my third year, I can't let that happen. What about your parents? What do you think they'd do? I believe it's the same thing. And Jayden's dad?"I
"What are we going to do about him, Whit?" Ava asks once we return to Jay's ward, trepidation-laden in her voice. "What are we going to do about Carl and his friends? This is more serious than I thought. I can't believe... I can't believe he actually came to the hospital!"She is absolutely freaking out as she paces around the room. She reeks of fear and genuine concern.I, on the other hand, am still struggling to regain my composure—the one I lost just a moment ago to paralysis. And it's because of him."He saw you, Whit," Ava suddenly stops in her tracks, her eyes widening with realization. "Don't tell me..." She darts her gaze to me. "Don't tell me he recognized you from that night."I remain quiet, at a loss for words.Panic flashes across Ava's eyes, and she rushes to where I linger by the doorway. She grasps my shoulders. "Oh my goodness, Whit. Is it what I'm thinking? Does he know you're the one who attempted to attack him that night?"I swallow, my heart palpitating as I take
Gosh, I hate myself for this.I hate how much his intoxicating presence is affecting me right now.Against my will, my gaze lowers with dread as I'm unable to look him in the eyes anymore. My knees weaken as my mind replays the nightmare I had of Carl having his fingers scissoring me open.How I moaned against him at such close proximity like we are now. How I grabbed his shoulders and begged him not to stop.I hate myself.I fucking hate myself right now.Tears leak from my eyes as I lower my head in shame, feeling guilty that he—and everyone else in the room—can currently see through me and my twisted thoughts.It's crazy that at this critical moment, it's my wet dream from last night I'm thinking about.I mutter through tears, "Get away from me. Please," I beg, fighting to withstand the heat brimming inside me.All I hear is a deep rumble from his chest before I feel his warm fingers lifting my chin.Goosebumps break out on my skin at his fiery touch as he tilts my chin until our e
"They're lying to you... Don't listen to them!" I scream at the top of my lungs as I approach the receptionist with fright.Considering my unexpected outburst and the way she's staring at me with confusion right now, she probably thinks I've lost it.Concern lines her brows as she takes me in. "Excuse me?""I said they're telling you lies," I repeat upon reaching the front desk. I'm seething as I glare at Carl and his crew. My chest rises and falls with the anger building inside me. "They are no friends of Jay's. Please, call security. Now."I turn to the receptionist, my eyes pleading. "Please, believe me," I implore desperately like if she doesn't act fast, some disaster might likely happen.The receptionist remains confused as she glances between me and the three lying goons on the other side. I can tell she's uncertain about what to believe at this point.But how could she not believe me?She can clearly see for herself that these men are nothing but potential threats—especially C
I shake my head in disappointment as I listen to my mother speak on the other end of the phone. She sounds genuinely worried.She's relaying everything Ava told her about what’s happened to us in the last two weeks.Down to the part where we went to Carl's house for revenge for Jayden. Can you believe that?Can’t say I’m surprised. Ava and my mom have this weird daughter–mother relationship. It’s been like that since we were kids. Ava literally tells my mom everything.Sometimes I wonder if my mother easily agreed for us to be put in the same dorm because she had her own ulterior motives — getting Ava to spy on me and report back to her since I’m a closed-off bitch who barely talks to her most times.I love my mother, yes, but I don’t usually tell her my business. I’ve just been this way since I was a kid.The only thing I have close to a best friend is Ava, and that bitch has betrayed me more times than I can count. And it’s funny because I forgive her every single time.However, lis







