ELARA’S POV The shower was warm. Too warm. My skin turned red under the spray, but I couldn’t bring myself to turn it down. My head going back to the day I got taken, what Jenna said to me. “He’s coming and he will make you wish you were dead” Is this it? Oh My god! was she talking about Nico? What did she know? Shit. Was she trying to warn me that day or was she mocking me? I scrubbed my skin raw, trying to erase the memory of his lips, his hand on my waist, the stink of the cell. But it wouldn’t come off. As I rinsed, I leaned against the cold wall, heart pounding. My hand to the pendant to the now warm pendant around my neck. Think, Elara. Think. Outside the bathroom window, I saw it again— waves. Endless water. The sky met the ocean in a soft, distant haze. No shore in sight. This wasn’t just a prison. This was a prison floating on water. After what felt like hours of scrubbing my skin and hair, I stepped out of the shower. I grabbed my clothes
ELARA’S POV: I should’ve known it was coming the kiss. The moment I agreed to leave with him, Nicolas’s hand tightened around mine like a claim. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction, like he’d won a prize he’d been chasing for years. He stepped closer, his other hand brushing a piece of hair from my cheek with far too much care. Then his lips found mine. It was Cold, Pressing Possessively on mine, But I quickly pulled away as if it was burning hot, I forced a stiff smile onto my face. “I just… feel dirty,” I whispered, voice tight. It took everything in me to not wipe my lips with my hand. And just widen my smile. He chuckled low, amused. “Where are my manners? You do need a bath.” He stared at my face with triumph. And with that, he slid his arm around my waist and started walking me out of the room. His hand gripped my side like we were lovers. I kept my face still, blank, neutral. Only smiling when his eyes occasionally found mine. But every step with his touch mad
ELARA’S POV I woke up to pain. My body ached in places I didn’t even realize could hurt. The cold floor beneath me didn’t help. The same small, damp room. The same stink of mildew and something rotting deep in the walls. Every breath felt heavier than the last. I thought I was going to get used to it by now… but I guess I was wrong. Because I can still feel it. My mouth was dry, throat raw. The untouched sandwich from yesterday sat on the floor next to the chipped cup of water. I hadn’t eaten. Couldn’t. I think I’m going to have my fifth vomit any second from now. Plus, It felt like my stomach had curled up and decided it didn’t want anything anymore. Not until I was safe. Not until I was free. From this place. But the again when will that be? How do I get out here while I’m stuck in a cage. But just then the door creaked open. But it was too dark in here to make out who it is. The light has gone out a long time ago. I hear the sound of Heavy boots. Three of
ELLIOT’S POV I didn’t knock. Nate’s guards didn’t even try to stop me. They knew better. I walked straight into his house, straight to the kitchen where the voices were coming from. Angelo was seated at the island, elbow propped on the marble counter, an empty plate in front of him and a cup of coffee in hand. Across from him, Nathaniel sat hunched over, cradling a mug of coffee. A full plate of mac and cheese now cold and hardened sat untouched between them. Nate looked like hell. Sunken eyes, dark circles, pale face. Like someone had carved out the man he used to be and left a hollow malnourished mess, stitched together He looks like a mess heck he looks worse each time I see him. Those dark circles get darker with each passing day. Even though I have a lot on my plate and I’m hanging by a thread. But he looked so much worse than I do. And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel… good about it. Even though it kills me to know my Because he deserved this. Yeah,
NATE’S POV “So…” Elliot shrugged, a smug smirk pulling at his lips. “What’s it going to be?” What rattled me most wasn’t his voice it was the look in his eyes. Like he already knew what I’d choose. “Loyalty to your long-time friend… or my sister?” I swallowed hard. “Angelo won’t be part of it anymore,” I said. “I’ll tell him to back off.” Elliot’s brow arched, clearly surprised—but he masked it fast. “Alright then.” He patted my shoulder. “I’ll meet you at your little fancy mansion later and give you your next set of instructions.” I shoved his hand off, biting back the urge to punch some damn sense into him. Then turned and headed to the car. One of the guards opened the door as I slid into the backseat. The hope I’d carried into the police station had vanished completely. I leaned back, jaw tight. My mind was spiraling again. Thinking about Elara. What they were doing to her. Whether she was hurt. Cold. Scared. Or worse. And the worst part? I couldn’t stop thinking ab
NATE’S POV “I’ll make sure you walk out of here a free man.” Elliot’s voice sliced through the air behind me as I stepped out of the police station. Of course. I let out a slow breath, already bracing myself. He was about to start again another smug remark about how everything I’ve done in the past 48 hours has been wrong. A fresh critique, wrapped in sarcasm and judgment, like he’s been waiting to pounce on my next failure. We were supposed to be working together to find Elara. But so far, all he’s done is stand on the sidelines and criticize everything I do. “Seriously?” Elliot let out a dry chuckle. “Even an intern at my company could’ve come up with something better than that.” I stopped walking and turned to face him. His expression was all too familiar! disgust, disappointment, and pure contempt. I knew that look. He’s worn it for years, ever since the disaster that broke our friendship. A string of mistakes, mostly mine, that led to him blaming me for every