LOGINLORETTA “Elion...” I breathed his name, slowly rising from the couch.His broad shoulders filled the doorway, blocking out the harsh fluorescent light spilling in from the corridor behind him.It was nighttime, but he was dressed semi-formally in a black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms, making him look completely out of place in the tiny waiting room, too composed, too imposing, too...powerfully Elion.My eyes searched his face as I drew closer, looking for something, anything other than the darkness in those black orbs. I found none. The only thing I could make of his cold expression was quiet anger. A swallow worked down my throat. “How did you find us?” I asked instead, I hadn't told Elion I was coming to Atmosphere, I hadn't even known we'd be coming here, so how had Elion traced my friends and me Except....“Are you still tracking me?” The question came out in a rush of air. Behind me, Michelle made a sound that was very close to a snort, but I was too focused o
LORETTAThe man lunged forward, and it was as if time slowed down in our booth. I could see and feel everything slowly The tight way he clenched his fist, gritted his teeth, and the heavy pounding of my heart as fear took hold of meMichelle didn't as much as flinch; if anything, she stood her ground harder, bracing herself for the attack. She dodged his wrist mid swing and landed a hard punch to his stomach with more strength than I would have guessed she had, sending him crashing into a nearby table. Glasses shattered all around, and someone, I think it was Zara, shrieked. Holly was as still as a statue, her face going pale. The waitress dove sideways to avoid the spray of champagne and shattered crystal raining across the floor.“Michelle!" I tried to grab her arm so this wouldn't escalate further, but she was already moving, already between him and me, boots planted hard like she'd done this a hundred times before.He came at her again on unsteady feet, grunting as he did, and i
LORETTA“Love is a strong word, Michelle.”The words left my mouth quietly, almost swallowed by the music spilling out from Atmosphere. She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she kept looking at me, her fingers wrapped loosely around mine, like she wasn't going to let me dodge the question like the last time Michelle tilted her head slowly, the sapphire hoops in her ears catching the neon lights. “It's also a very simple one.”I drew in a shallow breath, my chest shaking with it. Elion and I... we had something; I just wasn't convinced it was love.Attraction? Yes. There was no denying that anymore.I was drawn to him just as much as he was drawn to me. I could feel it every time our eyes found each other across a room. Every time, the silence between us grew thick enough to touch and taste. I could feel it when he watched me pleasure myself in the bathroom, and how reckless he got in the alley a few weeks agoEvery time Elion looks at me, it seems like he either wants to pull me in
LORETTA"Atmosphere?"Even though I was looking right at the building, I still couldn't quite believe Michelle had chosen ‘this’ of all places.The truck rumbled to a stop, and I found myself staring through the windshield. Despite growing up in this city, I'd never actually been here.The club is bigger than I imagined it would be. Neon lights painted the pavement in streaks of Red, blue, and green while music pulsed through the walls hard enough for me to feel the bass vibrating inside my chest.ATMOSPHERE. The massive neon sign glowed above the entrance. Beside me, Holly let out a long, resigned sigh. Zara looked ready to order herself a ride home before we could even step out of the truck.Michelle rubbed her hands together excitedly after killing the engine. “Yup,” Her grin spread wider. “Atmos-freaking-phere”“Really?” Zara didn't bother hiding her displeasure. “You know how much I hate crowds... and loud music” Michelle shot her a sideways grin. “Which is exactly why I brought
LORETTAMichelle threw the truck into gear with a grin that stretched from ear to ear“Ladies,” she declared, loud enough so that Zara, who was sitting by her side on the passenger's seat, flinched “Operation Girls' Night one thousand and one is officially in motion. Tighten your seatbelts, grab your tequila and popcorn, because tonight we are going to forget about work, deadlines, responsibilities, and ridiculously hot men with blue, blue eyes”Zara stared at Michelle from underneath her glasses, as if she were a lab case study. “Remind me how we are friends Again?” She questioned dryly “Because you love me, Zara." Michelle grinned so wide, it was almost cartoonish. “Because I am the only source of fun you have, introvert that you are”Zara muttered something that I didn't quite catch because I had a hand over my mouth, struggling to conceal my laughter. A glance at Holly at my side told me she wasn't any better; her shoulders were practically shaking “I have considered reporting
ELION“Mr Fitzpatrick, it's an honor to finally meet you,” he said as we shook hands.I gave him a polite nod. I had heard that exact sentence more times than I could count. After a while, it stopped sounding like admiration and started sounding like protocol.Harlan, on the other hand, was far more welcoming. He stepped forward and offered his hand with an easy smile.“Welcome to the Elite Group, Heath.”The man's expression shifted immediately, a flicker of apology crossed his face before he even spoke.“I should clear that up,” he said, accepting Heath's handshake. “I'm not Heath.”My eyes narrowed at him. I raised a finger, and in a few seconds, one of the servers arrived at my side with a silver tray. I placed my glass of half-drunk whiskey on it, and the young man disappeared as quickly as he came. I slid a hand into my pocket, brushing over my steel lighter. “Then who are you” “Benjamin Carter,” He answered immediately. Harlan and I shared a look before returning our attention
ELION This city is beneath me.Everything else will be soon. It's only a matter of time. My jaw ticked once as I watched the bustle in the streets of Seattle, several floors beneath my office windows. Busy people moving in every direction: hurrying, rushing, sprinting, scrambling, running towards
ELION My hand was around her throat. Her delicate, fragile throat. All it would take was one flick of my wrist and I would never have to endure her presence ever again But then, I would never see her ethereal eyes come alive with hate and rage, Loretta would be gone for Good. There would be n
LORETTA “Please!”The scream wrenched out from my lungsMy hands flew to my heaving chest, as if I were trying to stop my heart from bursting through. My vision is distorted and blurry, it takes a few minutes of breath work to realize where I wasMy roomI blinked back the haziness in my eyes, goi
LORETTAI am a good girl. I mean….I was a good girl. Until today. My name is Loretta. Loretta Rea Sterling. The first child of George Sterling. Being born into the Sterlings family meant many things: power, generational wealth, fame, you name itBut being born as a girl meant only one thing, my







