MasukRyker’s POV
I moved quickly, pulling my clothes back on with shaking hands while my mind tried to catch up with everything that had just happened.
My shirt went crooked the first time and I had to yank it straight, my fingers fumbling with the buttons like they had forgotten how to work.
Behind me, Leonardo hadn’t moved from where he sat on the table.
He looked… completely at ease. Like he was
Ryker’s POVThe horn had ripped through the night like a shark knife . My heart leapt into my throat, my feet moving before my brain could even register what I was doing.Ronaldo froze for a split second, right on the curb, and then instinctively jumped back. The car swerved violently, tires screeching, a metal groan filling the air as it skidded past him with mere inches to spare.My stomach dropped, a cold weight settling in my chest as the vehicle slammed into the side of a small corner store, glass exploding everywhere in a shower of sparks and dust.Ronaldo fell hard onto the pavement, the shock washing over him in harsh waves. He lay there for a moment, breathing ragged, blinking like he couldn’t believe he had just escaped death. People screamed and scattered, some pointing, some running toward the chaos, others just frozen in stunned disbelief.&nb
Ryker’s POVI moved quickly, pulling my clothes back on with shaking hands while my mind tried to catch up with everything that had just happened.My shirt went crooked the first time and I had to yank it straight, my fingers fumbling with the buttons like they had forgotten how to work.Behind me, Leonardo hadn’t moved from where he sat on the table.He looked… completely at ease. Like he wasn't even bothered in the slightest.He just sat there leg stretched out, the other bent, a bottle of water hanging loosely in his hand as he watched me like this was all some kind of show put there for his entertainment. He took a slow sip, his eyes never leaving me, and the calmness in his expression only made my panic worse.“Why are you acting like the world is ending?” he asked, his voice smooth, almost amused.I shot
Ryker’s POVAt first, I thought we were actually going into the library, but he veered off before we reached the entrance, heading toward a smaller building tucked behind it.It looked almost abandoned.Like a storage space no one really paid attention to.“Leo…” I started again, more carefully this time, “what is this place?”He didn’t answer.Instead, he walked up to the door, unlocked it like he’d done it a hundred times before, and stepped inside.I hesitated for just a second before following.The inside was dim, filled with shelves, old boxes, and things that looked like they hadn’t been touched in years.It smelled faintly of dust and paper.“What…?”He turned slightly, glancing at me.“Get inside.”
Leonardo’s POVThe water was red.At first, I didn’t understand what I was looking at.It shimmered under the dim bathroom light, thick and slow, curling around the porcelain edges of the bathtub like something alive.Then I saw the hand.Pale and still.Hanging over the side.My chest tightened.“No…”I stepped closer.Each movement felt heavy, like I was dragging myself through something invisible.The air smelled metallic.Familiar.Too familiar.I reached the edge of the tub.And that was when I saw his face.Ryker.His head tilted slightly to the side, eyes half-lidded, lips parted like he was about to say something—but never would.The water lapped softly against his skin.Red.Everywhere.
Ryker’s POVWhy would Leo suddenly want to see me behind the library?It had been almost a week since we last spoke. Not even a text. Not even a “come here” or “don’t be seen.” Nothing.And I knew it wasn’t because he didn’t have time.He had my number.If he wanted to reach me, he would have.So why now?I exhaled, dragging a hand through my face as I stood in front of the mirror.“Stop overthinking,” I muttered to myself.Leo was… Leo.He did things when he wanted, how he wanted, and no one questioned it.And honestly?I didn’t care how messed up it was.As long as he kept wanting me, that was enough.…Right?I grabbed the first decent shirt I could find and pulled it on quickly, barely pa
Ryker’s POVThese past few days have been a complete rollercoaster.Finals were in less than two weeks, and every professor suddenly decided that meant we shouldn’t have a single second of free time.Assignments.Surprise tests.Extra readings.It felt like they were all working together to make sure we either broke down or dropped out.I barely had time to breathe.And on top of that—I hadn’t seen Leonardo.Well… not exactly, I had seen him—around campus, in the halls, outside lecture buildings, always surrounded by the Sovereigns like he owned the place, like nothing in the world could touch him. But he hadn’t called me, hadn’t texted me, hadn’t even looked in my direction—not since the money, not since that night—and for some reason, that bothered me more than I wanted to adm







