LOGIN******Our car finally rolled to a stop in front of my parents' house, we both didnt move for a moment. I glanced at Renz, he looked composed. Almost too composed.But I knew him well enough to notice the slight dampness on his palm where it rested on the steering wheel. I slipped my fingers into his free hand.He looked at me.“My parents don't bite,” I teased. A faint smile touched his lips, “A man like me doesn't fear bites.”I almost laughed, for this particular situation, that was probably the worst joke he could have made. I squeezed his hand. “You'll be fine.”His eyes moved toward the house. “We'll see.”Rynna was still asleep in the passenger seat. The day had taken alot out of her, the drive made it worse, and Renz had decided not to wake her. It was probably better that way, especially if the conversation waiting inside became anything like the one we'd been expecting.“Shall we?” I asked.Renz nodded. He switched off the engine, stepped out, and walked around to the passen
Nyx's PovI folded the last of Rynna's clothes and placed them inside the bag, pausing for a moment as I looked around the room.For some reason, I couldn't stop smiling...things were becoming unbelievably good. After everything we'd been through, being back home felt different. Better. Before now, this house had been abandoned with broken walls, fear, shouting, and the kind of chaos that made me wonder for a moment if any of us would ever survive it. I could still remember what it had looked like the day I got separated from Renz, and for a brief second, the memory threatened to pull me back into that terrible day.I pushed it away... refusing to remember that destruction anymore. I didn't want to ruin this moment, not when Renz had worked so hard to put everything back together.The walls had been repaired. The rooms were clean. Even the smallest details had been restored. It no longer looked like the place where so much had been taken from us.It looked like home again... and my b
I blinked. Once. Twice. She was still there, I fixed my gaze on her, my heart kicked hard against my ribs. Camila looked different, not because she had changed...but because I was seeing her differently now. I had spent weeks unconscious, and somehow, the first person my heart chose to recognize was her. Neither of us spoke, I had so much to say. But strangely, I couldn't find the nerve to say any of it. Thankfully, she broke the awkward silence. “You idiot.” Her voice was quiet....her eyes dropped to the glass in my hand. “You came here for a drink even though you know how unwise that is for your health.” I straightened slowly, pain pulled through my abdomen, but I ignored it. I turned fully toward her. “Why are you here?” She looked away. “You know, news travels very fast.” I kept staring at her. Renz. Of course. He was the only one who knew where I'd gone. My eyes moved over her, I lowered my gaze the moment I noticed a small cut on her left arm, It was healing, but
Marco's PovThe car crawled to a stop outside the building.I didn't move, for a moment, I simply sat there with both hands resting loosely on the steering wheel, staring through the windshield.BASQUE.The name stood boldly above the entrance, illuminated against the dark exterior, I stared at it. It felt almost unbelievable that I was sitting there again.It felt like forever.A bitter smile touched my lips.The last time I'd been here, I hadn't exactly walked in through the front door because I'd been running from Gabe's men.“Fucking Gabe,” I muttered...then leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes as memories flashed through my head.Malachi and his men, the countless enemies we'd faced, the endless nights when every fucking day felt like another war. I didn't need to ask Renz how it all ended, I already knew, Men like Malachi and his maniacs didn't exactly have a happy ending. Besides, Renz had already confirmed what mattered, everyone I cared about was safe. That should
I stepped inside quietly and my eyes immediately went to the bed. Nyx and Rynna were lying together. Rynna was tucked beneath, almost completely covered by Nyx. Only a little of her brunette hair showed against the blanket, some strands scattered across her face. I stopped. For a moment, I simply watched them. Something inside me became quiet. Peace. That was the only word I could find for it. After everything I had seen and everything I had done, this was the sight I had been fighting for all along. Seeing my family safe and together. I looked at Nyx's long hair spread across the pillow. Then my eyes moved to Rynna again. Her hair looked so much like mine. I almost smiled. My daughter...the word still tested new in my mouth. I had missed so much. The thought hurt but for once, I didn't run from it. I walked closer to the bed. Nyx stirred. It was almost as if she could sense me even in her sleep. Her eyes opened slightly before she carefully moved away from Rynna. Sh
I stepped inside quietly and my eyes immediately went to the bed. Nyx and Rynna were lying together. Rynna was tucked beneath, almost completely covered by Nyx. Only a little of her brunette hair showed against the blanket, some strands scattered across her face. I stopped. For a moment, I simply watched them. Something inside me became quiet. Peace. That was the only word I could find for it. After everything I had seen and everything I had done, this was the sight I had been fighting for all along. Seeing my family safe and together. I looked at Nyx's long hair spread across the pillow. Then my eyes moved to Rynna again. Her hair looked so much like mine. I almost smiled. My daughter...the word still tested new in my mouth. I had missed so much. The thought hurt but for once, I didn't run from it. I walked closer to the bed. Nyx stirred. It was almost as if she could sense me even in her sleep. Her eyes opened slightly before she carefully moved away from Rynna. Sh
Nyx's PovI found Gabe in the sitting room, scrolling through his phone like he had nothing to worry about.I stood there, holding my calm like it was glued on my face.“I’ll be going to town today,” I said. “I have some school paperwork to sort out.”He didn’t look up at first. Then he did—slow, s
Gabriel's PovEver since the news of Renz’s death dropped, something inside me loosened. Relief… finally. A sense of order returning, like the world had clicked back into the place I designed for it.Except for one problem.Nyx.She’d spiraled the moment she heard. Crying for days. Skipping meals.
The van shook as it rolled over the rough road, the night swallowing everything outside. Inside, it was just me, three of my men, and the doctor—hands folded, eyes fixed on Renz like he was guarding a dying flame.Renz lay in the middle seat, pale, breathing shallow, wires and tubes clinging to him
Renz's PovI woke up to silence.Thick. Cold. Endless. The kind that presses against your chest till you forget what air feels like. My head spun as I blinked, trying to tell if my eyes were open or shut. The dark was that deep.The cell smelled of mold, metal, and blood that wasn’t just mine.For







