LOGINCassie’s povMy head snapped toward the sound, my head still hazy and my body went limp, trembling against his chest. A woman stood in the doorway, poised with the same jawline and piercing eyes as Luka.His mom?I pushed him away as hard as I could, losing my balance, I tumbled over the edge of the bed to the floor, my naked body meeting the cold marble floor with a soft thud. My eyes fell on hers.“Hey.” She waved at me casually as if she hadn’t just walked in on us fucking. A sheet whipped over my body before I could pull myself up.“Mom, what are you doing here?” Luka’s voice cracked as he shuffled himself under the sheets quickly.She stepped into the room, her eyes lit up as she bent over to pick up a pile of Luka’s discarded clothes from the laundry basket, using the opportunity to fold a shirt slowly while glancing between us.“I don’t mind me darlings, just the usual mom running around, you know I hate a messy house Lika.” She winked directly at me, her smile was warm and utt
Cassie’s pov The heat was spreading like wildfire under my skin. My breath came in short gasps as Luka carried me from the bathroom, water still dripping from our bodies onto the floor. The towel he’d wrapped around had slipped halfway off. All I could focus on was the warmth of his chest against my cheek. He lowered me onto the bed gently, trying to pull back so he could stand, but my legs wrapped tightly around his waist, locking my ankles behind his back. My arms circled his neck, pulling him down with me. “Don’t let me go,” I whispered, my voice hoarse and desperate. “Luka, please… don’t leave me.” “Cassie,” he murmured, his forehead resting against mine. His hands braced on either side of my head. “I just want to get you some water. You’re burning up. You need to stay hydrated..” I cut him off by kissing him. It wasn’t soft or sweet. My lips crashed against his as if he were the only thing keeping me awake. “I need you,” I gasped against his mouth, rolling my hips up i
Cassie’s POV“CASSIE!”The roar tore through the alley. I felt the masked woman’s grip on my leg falter, her head snapping toward the sound.“Shit.” She dropped me without warning, my body hitting the cold concrete. “He found her already? Impossible…”“CASSIE, ANSWER ME!”She didn’t wait to see who it was. I heard her boots clicking away, fast and frantic, her voice hissing into the dark, “This isn’t over, you ungrateful bitch.”I wanted to laugh. I wanted to scream. But all I could manage was a whimper as my body refused to listen to me, my limbs heavy like wet sand.Then I saw him.Luka.He came around the corner, and he scanned the alley until his eyes landed on me. “Cassie.” His voice dropped, breaking the second his eyes landed on me. He was on his knees beside me before I even registered moving. “Baby, look at me, look at me.”“L-luka.” My voice cracked. “She… she gave me something. I don't… I don't feel right.”“I know. I know, I got you.” he was already shrugging out of his
Cassie’s Pov I blinked my eyes open, my head stinging in pain as I recalled what had happened while looking around the dark alley. “What had happened?” I grumbled, trying to push my hand up but ended up being restricted by the ropes bound to my wrists. It had grazed the flesh that I had begun to feel the pain. I recalled the hand that had clamped around my mouth with that scented napkin that put me off. Luka! Where is Luka? I looked around but he wasn’t anywhere. “Seems sleeping beauty is now awake.” I heard his familiar voice sing as he came from behind a wall… Derek. A dark smile curled up his lips. “Thought it would take longer, glad you didn’t disappoint me.” I gritted my teeth, eyes blazing with fury at him. “You lunatic, you have no idea what you have done, if Luka finds me-” He walked up to me, his two fingers raising my chin. “Of course he’s going to find you but…” he leaned closer. “That would be after our play time.” He winked, placing a kiss on my cheek. God I could
Cassie’s POV Luka stood in the doorway like he owned the place.He wasn’t even dressed for a fight. Dark jeans, a simple black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, hands loose at his sides. But something in the way he moved, made the air in the café shift.Derek’s friend, the one already crumpled on the floor, was still howling, cradling his arm to his chest. The other three had spun around to face this new threat, their bravado visibly deflating the moment they clocked the look on Luka’s face.It wasn’t rage. That would have been easier to dismiss. It was something colder.“Who the hell are you?” Derek snarled, though I noticed he’d taken a half-step back without seeming to realize it.Luka didn’t answer. He walked straight into the middle of them and hit the second guy so fast I barely tracked it. A sharp jab to the ribs, a knee that connected with brutal efficiency, and the guy folded like paper.The third scrambled for the door. Luka caught him by the collar without break
Cassie's pov I clutched the notepad and pen like they were my only lifelines, my knuckles turning white as I approached the table of five guys. They were loud, obnoxious, and clearly already half-drunk despite it being barely nine in the morning. Their laughter echoed off the cafe walls, making the few other customers glance over with annoyance.Great. First day and I get the rowdy crowd.“Hi there,” I said, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. “What can I get for you gentlemen today?”The ringleader, a tall, broad-shouldered guy with piercing blue eyes and a cocky smirk leaned back in his chair, letting his gaze travel slowly down my body. I felt my skin crawl under his inspection.“Well, well, well,” he drawled, exchanging knowing glances with his friends. “Look what the cat dragged in. Isn't this the girl from Professor Morrison's creative writing class?”My stomach dropped. Of course, they recognized me. I'd been trying to keep my head down, stay invisible, but apparent







