LOGINConnie’s POVThe brass knob was still cold when my hand froze against it, but the air on the other side was thick and stifling.The room didn't just feel crowded, it felt very weird. The heavy scent of sweat hung in the air. Sasha was scrambling, her face a mask of pure panic as she reached for a discarded blanket, her eyes wide and glassy.Daniel didn’t move. He didn’t even look startled.He leaned back against the headboard with a slow, predatory ease, his lips curling into a sharp, knowing grin that didn't reach his eyes. He looked at me with an arrogance that made my blood run cold. “Well, well,” Daniel drawled, his voice low and scraping against the silence. He made no effort to look decent. “Come to join the party, Reid? Or just checking up on your friends?”A cold spike drove through my chest. The heat that rushed to my face was a violent, suffocating memory. It was the same vertigo that had swallowed me whole two years ago—the feeling of a trap snapping shut.“You’re pathetic
Connie's povI sat cross-legged on my bed, the soft glow of my phone screen the only light in the room.Kyrian was stretched out on his side, one arm tucked under his pillow, his breathing deep and even.It had been like this for the past few nights—us sharing the space but orbiting each other carefully.On camera, we played the part.Stolen glances during group challenges, my hand brushing his during dinner setups.Enough chemistry to keep the rankings from tanking completely.Off camera?We were... figuring it out.Or at least trying not to let the silence swallow us whole.My thumb hovered over Hori's contact.I wanted to text her everything.The knot in my chest that wouldn't loosen.The way Daniel’s presence echoed in my head every time I closed my eyes.But I couldn't.Not yet.Some things were better left buried until I had a plan that didn't blow up both our lives.The door creaked open softly.Kyrian stirred, sitting up slowly, his dark hair messy from sleep.He rubbed a hand
Daniel's POVThe thing about people was that most of them thought they were harder to read than they actually were.They weren't.I sat in the corner of the common room, one leg stretched over the arm of a chair, lazily spinning a marker between my fingers while pretending to watch the giant television mounted on the wall.In reality, I was watching everyone else.It was a habit I'd developed young. Sitting still, going quiet, reading a room before I decided how to move through it.Most people never bothered. They walked into spaces already talking, already performing, already desperate for someone to notice them.That desperation was the first thing I clocked.Mira and Cole were arguing again near the window — not a real argument. One of those couple arguments where both parties were secretly enjoying the attention it generated. Mira kept glancing toward the camera crew lingering near the doorway while Cole kept raising his voice just enough to make sure everyone heard him.Neither o
Caroline’s POVI caught Connie in the kitchen the next morning, alone for once, without her bodyguard trolling her everywhere she went.The cameras were on but distant—one fixed in the corner, the other guy yawning behind his rig like he’d rather be anywhere else.Perfect.She was pouring coffee, shoulders a little too tight.I slid up beside her, all smiles, grabbing a mug.“Morning, Connie,” I said sweetly, bumping her hip lightly. “You look like you barely slept. Rough night with the hockey boy?”Connie glanced at me, that performative smile that everyone wore around here snapping into place.“Caroline, right? Yeah, I was just busy with some stuff. You know how it is.”“Oh, I know.” I said as I poured my own coffee, leaning against the counter so we faced each other.“Roderigo told me all about the drama already. Maddox has quite the temper. It must be exhausting playing house with him.”She stirred her coffee slowly, her gaze focused on it as she did. “He’s fine. We’re figuring i
Roderigo’s POVThis goddamn place smelled like fake-ass vanilla candles and desperation.I kicked the front door shut behind me harder than necessary, my bag slamming into the wall.Caroline—bitch looked good as always—trailed in after me, flashing that fake sweet smile she’d perfected over the years.The one that made dumbasses drop their guard and most definitely their pants.“We’re home, motherfuckers!” I bellowed, voice echoing up the stairs.Let them hear me coming.A few idiots spilled out from the common room like trained seals.That loudmouth Hori chick raised an eyebrow at me, but I ignored her.My eyes scanned for him.Maddox.The prick who’d smashed my face two months ago like some caveman on steroids.There he was.Leaning over the railing like he owned the fucking penthouse.Arms crossed, Jaw locked.Staring down at me like I was shit on his shoe.Good.Let him seethe.“Well, well,” I called up, grinning wide enough to show teeth.“Maddox. Long time no see, you psychotic
Kyrian’s POVI leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching her from across the room.Connie moved through the common area like she had a script taped to her palm.That bright, easy laugh she used when the cameras were rolling.The way she touched my arm just long enough for the lens to catch it, then pulled back like it was nothing.Two weeks ago, that touch would’ve lingered.Now she was back to performing.“Good morning Connie,” I said when she passed close enough.“Hey you.” She turned, smile already in place.Her fingers brushed my wrist, perfect angle for the fixed camera in the corner.“Sleep okay?” She asked, her eyebrows raising softly as the smile increased.I studied her face, the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.“Yeah. You?”“Great.” I said.She grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, twisting the cap with more force than necessary.“Pat talked about some group challenge later. It should be fun.” She said, though she looked like she was somewhere else.Fun.
Connie's povI stared at my plate like it held the answers to the universe while Pat ate with the calm serenity of a woman who had already won whatever game we were all still pretending to play.The scrambled eggs had gone cold, but nobody was touching their food anymore, not with Pat sitting at th
Kyrian's povThe moment we walked into the bathhouse Cole turned to Sean and said, "Rate I and Kyrian's body out of ten.""No," I said, my face contracting into a frown to show that I wasn't pleased with the suggestion."I wasn't asking you." He shot at me.The three of us settled into the bath and
Connie's povMira stopped at the entrance, turned around and spread her arms. "Welcome to Takeshita Street."Cole stopped dead beside me.The street was narrow and packed and every shopfront was competing aggressively for attention—color stacked on color, music bleeding out of three different doors
Kyrian's povFourteen hours was a long time to be awake doing absolutely nothing.Cole slept the entire flight, reclined his seat within ten minutes of takeoff, pulled his hood over his face and didn't surface until the wheels touched Japan. The rest of us came off that plane looking like we'd been







