He laughs here, his eyes so friendly. Just a normal guy. A kind personโsomeone who seems nothing but sweet. Looks can be so deceiving. I stare at the missing poster of Mitch for too long. I know I do. I can feel two pairs of eyes burning into me. I donโt know what to say. They practically dragged me into a small office at the back of the building. No windows, only one door. Thereโs no way out of here for me. No one knows where I am. โYou were his girlfriend.โ I look at his mother. Her voice is soft and timid, yet thereโs an accusing edge to it. โIt wasnโt that serious yet,โ I say, keeping my voice level and calm. โHe said you were official. For quite a while,โ she responds, her tone pointed. โWe were only dating for a few days, Iโโ โA few days? Donโt lie. You were with our son for almost a year until he disappeared,โ his father cuts in, his voice sharp. I turn my gaze to him. A stocky man with a square face and thick brows. He looks nothing like Mitch. Neither of them has t
His wife screams. It's deafening, piercing through the room even as my ears ring from the gunshots. The sound is too much, making everyone flinch. Jace doesnโt hesitate. He snatches the fallen gun from the floor, his movements swift and precise, and aims it at the woman. Thereโs no remorse on his faceโonly cold calculation. His only thought: protect the ones he loves. BAM The second shot shatters the air. I flinch involuntarily, but I canโt look away. He shoots her through the heart. Blood erupts from her chest, staining her blouse in an instant. Her body jerks against the wall, wide eyes filled with disbelief. The tears that had welled in her gaze remain frozen there as she collapses, lifeless. In one fluid motion, Jace disables the gun, removes the magazine, and tosses the pieces onto the floor. โFuck,โ Mason mutters, taking in the scene. Jace remains unfazed. He takes two steps toward me, his expression still void of warmth. With one arm, he hauls me upright, his sharp e
โAnd you're sure the threat is dealt with?โ Mason asks, doubt lacing his voice. โBelieve me, it's done,โ Jace replies from beside me. โMitch's body was found in his house after it burned down. His parents are the main suspects, and they conveniently disappeared. Case closed.โ โI can't believe they tried to kill Nora,โ Ryker murmurs, eyebrows raised. I glance at him. He's sitting next to Hannah, holding a glass of gin, sprawled out on his plush pink towel. He doesnโt look entirely out of place, but I can tell heโs a little freaked out by the presence of two teachers. The cave is empty. It's just us here, which is surprising given that summer break has just begun. The sun is dipping lower, casting a golden glow over the water. We arrived not long ago, carrying towels and still-warm food. โWell, we did sort of kill their son,โ Esme points out helpfully. โAfter he tried to kill Li. Again,โ Mason says, shaking his head in disbelief. โWhat can I say? Iโm not easy to kill,โ I joke, fei
โShut the fuck up.โ I almost roll my eyes. Jace stands at the front of the room, looking grumpy and too hot for his own good. He tosses his laptop, phone, and keys onto his desk like they donโt mean a thing. They land on the battered math book. Battered because of me. I accidentally spilled my caramel coffee over it this morningโright after our fight about my internship. Which was great timing. It made us late and pissed Jace off even more than he already was. โWhy do you always swear at us?โ Brent asks, his voice too loud. I barely hold in a snort. Not that it matters. I donโt make a sound, but Jace knows exactly whatโs going on in my head. He doesnโt look at me, though. He doesnโt have to. Heโs going to break first. My internship is still a sore point in our relationship. That got worse when I found out that Jace cancelled my internship at Blackwood. It got even worse when I cancelled my internship at his company. I called Blackwood, and they told me they still have a spot f
โI donโt know yet, Sir,โ I answer instead. His eyes narrow, clearly displeased with my response. โCome up here,โ he orders. I plead mentally. I donโt want to do this. I donโt want to stand in front of the class with everyoneโs eyes on me. I want to stay in my seat, in my safe space. My eyes go wide, silently begging for mercy. โDid your ears stop working?โ Jace asks, completely unfazed. I let out a deep sigh, forcing myself to stand. My jaw clenches as I make my way to the old-fashioned board, picking up a tiny piece of chalk. From the corner of my eye, I already see Jace moving closer. He stops beside me, too close, and reads out the long, mind-numbing problem. By the time he reaches the last word, Iโve already forgotten the second to last. He doesnโt repeat himself. He just watches me, waiting. The tension is suffocating, horrible. I'm about to choke. He knows exactly what heโs doing. โRemembered that?โ he taunts, his voice low. Slowly, I turn to face him. His dark eyes gl
I stare at him in disbelief as the class filters out. Hannah nudges me from behind, snorting loudly before the door clicks shut behind her. Silence settles between us. I remain standing in the middle of the room, gripping my bag tightly. Heโs still seated at his desk, his gaze raking over me, but for once, his expression gives nothing away. โCome here,โ he orders finally, his voice low, commanding. The one that demands obedience. I hesitate for two seconds before slowly walking toward him. My bag slides from my shoulder, landing on the desk beside his with a dull thud. His eyes scan me with deliberate slowness, like a predator devouring prey, before he rolls back in his chair. โBend over my desk.โ My stomach clenches. I glance at the door. Someone mightโ โNow.โ I listen. Turning away from him, I lean forward, my palms pressing into the cold, hard wood of his desk. My short skirt barely covers my ass, which he now has full sight iff.. My grip tightens on the deskโs edge as my
Iโm nervous. And I have every right to be. Slowly, I step out of my car, careful not to make a sound as my shoes touch the gravel. My coat feels like a layer of protection Iโm peeling away, leaving me vulnerable. My shoes feel like lead as I take them off by the door. I really considered just going home. Spending the evening with Mason. Pushing the inevitable drama to another day. But I canโt. I move cautiously through the house, my steps almost hesitant as I make my way to the kitchen. Fuck. Jace is going to be soโ "You stole my fucking client?!" I flinch. Jace storms toward me, and instinct takes overโI dart behind the kitchen island, putting it between us like a shield. "You didnโt call them back yesterday! And I had a better deal!" I yell, my voice high with genuine fear. "I didnโt call them back because I was too busy fucking you!" Jace snaps, his anger raw, sharp, and directed at me. Not a pretty sight. "You made that decision!" I shoot back, though my voice cracks. M
My fingers slide through the stack of papers frantically. I know exactly what Iโm looking for. I also know I donโt have much time. The words blur as I skim the first line of each page, my heartbeat hammering against my ribs. It always does when I do this. But I force myself to push past the panic and focus. My knees burn against the rough carpet, and my ankles are twisted awkwardlyโpositioned so I can spring up at a momentโs notice. The second I hear the door creak open, my eyes land on the document I need. In one swift motion, I yank it from the drawerโjust as I rip a button from my shirt. The tiny black button pops off, almost vanishing somewhere on the floor, at the same time I shove the stolen paper beneath the desk. โNora?โ Shit. I jump up too fast, smacking my head against the mahogany desk with a painful thud. โDaโOUCH!โ โNora, are you okay?โ Daveโs voice is too close. A second later, heโs hauling me up, concern in his expression. I quickly clutch the missing button
โYou are so perfect,โ he whispers. I turn my head slightly, letting my wavy hair cascade over my shoulder. โAre you going to use me?โ His hand smacks my assโhard. A sharp gasp escapes me as he grips my hips, holding me firmly in place. His eyes darken, filled with complete control. โIโm going to do so much to you.โ He falls down on his knees, his face instantly on level with my- He licks me without any warning. My back arches on instinct, and his hands grip my thighs to keep me in place. His tongue softly strokes over me, pressing down with delicious pressure. I moan softly, but my attention spikes when Jace suddenly stands up, cutting this moment way too short. I frown. Normally he doesn't do this. Normally he makes sure I'm.. Taken care of. A shiver runs through me as he unzips himself, the sound sending my heartbeat into overdrive. No matter how many times we do this, my body always reacts to him like itโs the first time. Then, without warning, he spits down. The wet heat o
My eyes widen. Surely, he canโt meanโright here? There are students, parents, and teachers everywhere. Some are still gaping at us, their eyes locked on our close proximity. โBecause of obvious reasons,โ I reply, my heart pounding. Anxiety skitters down my spine. โThose obvious reasons are in the past, arenโt they?โ Jace counters smoothly, a powerful glint in his eyes. He stands tall, confident, like he owns the entire worldโand right now, I feel like a part of it belongs to him. โPeople are staring,โ I say with a shaky chuckle. โDonโt you thinkโโ โLetโs not think for now,โ he cuts me off, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. Iโm about to fucking die. โBut, Jaโโ His lips crash onto mine, his hands cradling my face with a possessive intensity that steals the breath from my lungs. One hand slides to the back of my neck, holding me in place as if heโs afraid I might disappear. Every thought I had scatters. Gasps echo around us. I know people are watching, snapping pictu
Lina and Charlotte sit a few rows ahead of us, practically bouncing with excitement when their names are called. They stride up to the stage confidently, shaking Masonโs hand with bright smiles. Lina falters slightly when she reaches Jaceโjust as everyone before her hasโbut he surprises her with a rare, warm smile. Heโs unusually cheerful today. And why wouldnโt he be? After years of secrecy, of stolen touches and hidden glances, we can finally be together. No more sneaking around, no more careful distance. We can go on dates in our own town, drive somewhere without fear of being seen, even post pictures if we want to. That, and if our plan works, the man Jace hates most in this worldโmy bossโis going to jail. Suddenly, Hannah stands next to me. Dazed, I quickly rise to my feet, realizing I was lost in a daydream again. The stage looms closer as I step forward. My gaze finds Jace, the light of my life, and I see him watching me as I approach. Grace is first. Sheโs as icy as eve
I twirl in front of the mirror, admiring the way my dark green dress clings to my body. Itโs elegant, timeless, and fits me like a dream. Jace picked it. Of course, he did. Behind me, Hannah grins in her own soft silver dress. Itโs similar to mine in cut, except mine dips low at the back, while hers teases just enough cleavage to turn heads. Ryker bought it for her with his first paycheck, and sheโs been saving it for this moment. โI canโt believe itโs over,โ Lina sighs, staring off into space from where she sits on the bed. โFour years of hard work. Just like that, itโs done.โ Her red dress, red lipstick, and perfectly manicured red nails make her look sharper, more confident than the Lina I met years ago. Back then, she was shy, insecureโnothing like the woman she is now. Sheโs still single, but only because she chooses to be. With a new date every other night, sheโs thriving. โTell me about it,โ Charlotte murmurs, rubbing a hand over her stomach. โItโs insane how much can chan
My fingers slide through the stack of papers frantically. I know exactly what Iโm looking for. I also know I donโt have much time. The words blur as I skim the first line of each page, my heartbeat hammering against my ribs. It always does when I do this. But I force myself to push past the panic and focus. My knees burn against the rough carpet, and my ankles are twisted awkwardlyโpositioned so I can spring up at a momentโs notice. The second I hear the door creak open, my eyes land on the document I need. In one swift motion, I yank it from the drawerโjust as I rip a button from my shirt. The tiny black button pops off, almost vanishing somewhere on the floor, at the same time I shove the stolen paper beneath the desk. โNora?โ Shit. I jump up too fast, smacking my head against the mahogany desk with a painful thud. โDaโOUCH!โ โNora, are you okay?โ Daveโs voice is too close. A second later, heโs hauling me up, concern in his expression. I quickly clutch the missing button
Iโm nervous. And I have every right to be. Slowly, I step out of my car, careful not to make a sound as my shoes touch the gravel. My coat feels like a layer of protection Iโm peeling away, leaving me vulnerable. My shoes feel like lead as I take them off by the door. I really considered just going home. Spending the evening with Mason. Pushing the inevitable drama to another day. But I canโt. I move cautiously through the house, my steps almost hesitant as I make my way to the kitchen. Fuck. Jace is going to be soโ "You stole my fucking client?!" I flinch. Jace storms toward me, and instinct takes overโI dart behind the kitchen island, putting it between us like a shield. "You didnโt call them back yesterday! And I had a better deal!" I yell, my voice high with genuine fear. "I didnโt call them back because I was too busy fucking you!" Jace snaps, his anger raw, sharp, and directed at me. Not a pretty sight. "You made that decision!" I shoot back, though my voice cracks. M
I stare at him in disbelief as the class filters out. Hannah nudges me from behind, snorting loudly before the door clicks shut behind her. Silence settles between us. I remain standing in the middle of the room, gripping my bag tightly. Heโs still seated at his desk, his gaze raking over me, but for once, his expression gives nothing away. โCome here,โ he orders finally, his voice low, commanding. The one that demands obedience. I hesitate for two seconds before slowly walking toward him. My bag slides from my shoulder, landing on the desk beside his with a dull thud. His eyes scan me with deliberate slowness, like a predator devouring prey, before he rolls back in his chair. โBend over my desk.โ My stomach clenches. I glance at the door. Someone mightโ โNow.โ I listen. Turning away from him, I lean forward, my palms pressing into the cold, hard wood of his desk. My short skirt barely covers my ass, which he now has full sight iff.. My grip tightens on the deskโs edge as my
โI donโt know yet, Sir,โ I answer instead. His eyes narrow, clearly displeased with my response. โCome up here,โ he orders. I plead mentally. I donโt want to do this. I donโt want to stand in front of the class with everyoneโs eyes on me. I want to stay in my seat, in my safe space. My eyes go wide, silently begging for mercy. โDid your ears stop working?โ Jace asks, completely unfazed. I let out a deep sigh, forcing myself to stand. My jaw clenches as I make my way to the old-fashioned board, picking up a tiny piece of chalk. From the corner of my eye, I already see Jace moving closer. He stops beside me, too close, and reads out the long, mind-numbing problem. By the time he reaches the last word, Iโve already forgotten the second to last. He doesnโt repeat himself. He just watches me, waiting. The tension is suffocating, horrible. I'm about to choke. He knows exactly what heโs doing. โRemembered that?โ he taunts, his voice low. Slowly, I turn to face him. His dark eyes gl
โShut the fuck up.โ I almost roll my eyes. Jace stands at the front of the room, looking grumpy and too hot for his own good. He tosses his laptop, phone, and keys onto his desk like they donโt mean a thing. They land on the battered math book. Battered because of me. I accidentally spilled my caramel coffee over it this morningโright after our fight about my internship. Which was great timing. It made us late and pissed Jace off even more than he already was. โWhy do you always swear at us?โ Brent asks, his voice too loud. I barely hold in a snort. Not that it matters. I donโt make a sound, but Jace knows exactly whatโs going on in my head. He doesnโt look at me, though. He doesnโt have to. Heโs going to break first. My internship is still a sore point in our relationship. That got worse when I found out that Jace cancelled my internship at Blackwood. It got even worse when I cancelled my internship at his company. I called Blackwood, and they told me they still have a spot f