CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: COASTLINENOVA POVThe ride home was silent, a heavy kind of silence. Grant’s knuckles were white around the steering wheel, his profile caught in flashes of streetlight. The air in the car was thick with everything we hadn’t said.I sat there, exhausted, watching his reflection flicker across the glass. The silence between us was heavy, like grief.“You’ve not said a single word,” he said finally, his voice deep but quieter than usual, almost uncertain.I swallowed hard. “Nothing to say.”He exhaled slowly, the kind that sounded more like defeat than breath.“I’m sorry for how things turned out.”I turned to him so fast my neck ached. Grant Calloway apologizing? The same man who could burn a bridge and stand on the ashes with pride? I had to look, just to make sure it wasn’t a ghost driving.“Thanks,” I muttered, soft. Because I didn’t have the energy for more.All I wanted was a hot shower, something edible, and sleep, long, merciful sleep that didn’t come wit
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT: QUEENS & PAWNSNOVA POVWhat did he mean, I should have walked when I had the chance?The words rolled around my head like loose marbles on smooth tiles. My heart plummeted straight to my stomach, then lower, heavy and cold between my legs. The whole hall seemed to shrink smaller and hold its breath or maybe because the power had flickered out, maybe because the music had stopped mid-violin note, or maybe because every soul in the room had heard Luca’s voice turn Creepy and unhinged.Can Luca possibly be this deranged?Maybe. Maybe Not. I can’t remember the last time I prayed from all the chaos and tension in my life recently but I quickly said a prayer of protection and rebuked any sudden death.When the lights snapped back on, everything looked a little wrong, kind of like a painting someone had tampered with. Grant wasn’t at my side anymore. He and Luca were together at the opposite end of the hall like two storms poised to collide, and I was somewhere far
CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN : Be Careful with MeNova POV Everything around me went silent. Not literally because the music was still there, all soft and pretty like nothing ugly ever happened in the world but in my head, it was just static.Luca’s hand was out.Grant’s grip around my waist was solid.And every pair of eyes on that dancing floor and in that hall felt like they were pressing against my skin, waiting to see which man I’d choose.I wanted to scream. Out of the endless cycle of being pulled between two giants who both think they could own me.Luca’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Come on, sweetheart. We wouldn’t want people thinking you’re ungrateful.”Every syllable was a warning wrapped in fake polite.Grant’s chest rose and fell against my back. He didn’t move, and he didn’t speak either but I could feel the heat radiating off him. The anger. The possessiveness.The promise that if I took Luca’s hand, blood would spill before midnight.And yet, that wasn’t what scared me.W
CHAPTER FIFTY SIX: THE GALAGRANT POVThe whole drive there was a blur of red lights and rage. My knuckles were white against the steering wheel, and every time I blinked, that damn picture flashed in my head. My Nova, in the same dress I had ordered for her, smiling in another man’s arms.Luca’s arms.Each mile I covered only added fuel to the fire. The closer I got, the less I could breathe. I could already picture his smug face, his filthy hands on what’s mine.By the time I pulled up to the event, the valet didn’t even have time to reach my door. I was already out, jacket unbuttoned, eyes locked on the grand entrance like I was walking straight into a war zone.Security tried to stop me. One touch on my shoulder and I was already two seconds from snapping his wrist in half. The only reason I didn’t was because I had bigger bones to break inside.The music hit first. Slow, elegant but it didn’t fit the pounding in my chest. The lights were gold and warm, people spinning in their gl
CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE: ERRTIMEGRANT POVTonight was supposed to be nothing short of Amazing perfection. I already booked and planned a show-stopping surprise with the waitress.All they were waiting for was my cue and all I was waiting for was my sweet Nymph’s presence. I want her to feel special and comfortable with me so she can confide her deepest fears and whatever leverage it was anybody has over her.After that we were supposed to fuck into sunset. Nothing short of orgasms and finally acknowledging the feelings I’ve buried deep down in my heart.A perfect evening and a definite contrast to my life for the past few weeks. Save the amazing fuck with Nova two nights before.Her tight cunt was just an addition to everything perfect she represents.I lifted my glass of whiskey to my lips before taking a swallow and feeling it burn its way from my tongue down to my stomach.Any moment from now I was expecting to see a flash of dark blue and a beautiful blushing face—But instead, a part
CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR : SNAKENOVA POV Every cell in my body screamed don’t touch her. Don’t let her reel you in. But Lena was watching, Katie too. They saw an escort. They saw a friend. They didn’t see the snake in red.So I forced my lips into something that resembled a smile, lifted my trembling hand, and slid it into hers.Her fingers closed tight around mine, too tight.And just like that, I felt the trap snap shut around me. The second the hostel doors closed behind us, her grip tightened. Not guiding me but intimidating me this time. I wanted to pull away. Motherr, I wanted to. But Lena was still waving from the doorway, oblivious, smiling like she’d just sent me off on prom night. So I let Sandy drag me toward the sleek black car waiting at the curb.The driver who was an absolute stranger and not Jay— opened the door for us. My stomach knotted tighter.Sandy slid in first, crossing her legs with the practiced ease of a woman who knew exactly what kind of effect she left in h