LOGIN(RORY’S POV)
“Well that is an interesting turn of events. Shocking but interesting, I can’t lie.” I heard Laurel whisper in glee. There seemed to be a moment of silence, with everyone processing what had just been said. And then all eyes turned on me and Todd. I could feel my cheeks go hot from all the attention. My heart was thumping so loudly that one would think that I had been dared to take off my clothes even though for me, it was almost the same thing. Kiss Todd for three whole minutes? I dared to cast a glance at him and my heart beat picked up when I found that he was watching me. “I’m sorry. This is my fault. I made us play this stupid game.” I whispered to him. A small smile tugged at his lips making me ache in my heart. “It’s not your fault, Candy.” He whispered back. “Oh please! It’s a fucking dare! Just kiss already…or better still, Todd O’Connor go naked for us .” Majorie said with her eyebrows wriggling teasingly. The group cheered and laughed while I winced at the idea. “No! Don’t do that.” I said quickly. Todd chuckled, a beautiful sound that anchored me admist the stormy emotions I was feeling. “I don’t want to. I would much rather I kiss you… if you don’t mind, that is.” He said. His words were dreamy and hot. I wanted to pinch myself to be certain that I was not dreaming. Was he really speaking that way to me? Telling me he would much rather kiss me? Okay, snap out of your head Rory! It’s kiss you or go naked, of course he would rather kiss you ! Now say something instead of looking like some dumb struck moron. “I don’t mind.” I breathed out genuinely. Damn, I did not mind kissing Todd at all. I have dreamed of it, imagined it, I have even practiced it on Rosalie’s mannequins. Todd leaned closer to me and cupped my face gently in his hands. It’s either everyone went silent or I drowned in his sea blue eyes and blocked out their noise. Todd’s eyes glanced at my lips and my heart started beating so fast, I worried it would leap out of my chest. I couldn’t help but gulp as my eyes flickered to his lips too. Then he leaned closer and pressed his lips gently to mine. The warm feel of his lips against mine sent me in to a spiral of exhilarating emotions. My whole body responded immediately and it felt like I was floating in the clouds. His lips moved skillfully over mine and bit me gently but sensually sending a chill down my spine and awakening the nerves in my body. I couldn’t help the sigh of content that escaped my lips as I parted way for his tongue to swirl in my mouth. Hearing him moan gently sent a shot of excitement from my head down to my toes. My hands reached up to rest on his neck gently moving to his hair. He shuddered under my hold and I kissed him back finding that it was the easiest thing to do. Somehow my lips knew what to do and so did my tongue as they welcomed his in unison and massaged gently across one another. I felt my body awaken in ways that I never knew it could as the sensitive area between my legs seemed to jolt awake at the embrace. I was tugging his hair gently and enjoying as his hand moved to my waist when a screech interrupted us. “You bitch! It’s three minutes past!” The screech was accompanied by the shocking feeling of cold liquid on my hair dripping down my face. Leslie had obviously had enough.(THIRD PERSON POV)The sun came up over Daisyland like it didn't know anything was wrong.Leslie watched it from her window. She hadn't slept. Not really. Just stared at the ceiling and listened to her own thoughts.Her phone was still in her hand. The same phone she had almost used to warn Todd. The same phone her mother had taken and then given back after going through all her messages.She hadn't found anything. There was nothing to find. Leslie had been careful. Too scared to do anything, too scared to say anything, too scared to be anything but what they wanted.But the voice was still there. Small but present.You don't have to be like them.She pushed it away and got dressed.---Shirley and Joy were already at their usual table when Leslie walked into the café.Shirley was scrolling through her phone, a bored look on her face. Joy was eating a pastry and looking at nothing.They looked up when Leslie sat down."You look terrible." Joy said. It wasn't mean. Just honest.Leslie
(THIRD PERSON’S POV)Denver and Dana talked for another hour.Plans. Strategies. Threats. Who to call. Who to pay. Who to scare.Leslie listened to all of it. The words washed over her like dirty water.They talked about the recording. About getting someone into the hospital. About finding the phone and making sure to destroy it.They talked about Tia. About her connections. About ways to discredit her. About people in her past they could dig up.They talked about Rory. About her family. About ways to make her disappear if needed to.When Leslie heard that part, she looked up."You can't." She said.Denver turned to her. "Can't what?""Hurt her. You can't hurt her."Dana laughed. "Watch us.""No." Leslie stood up. Her legs were shaking but she stood. "I've gone along with everything. I've done everything you asked. But this—hurting an innocent girl because she loves someone—I won't be part of it."Denver stood up too. He walked toward her slowly."You won't be part of it?" He repeated
(THIRD PERSON POV)The Williams' mansion was quiet.Not the peaceful kind of quiet. The kind that comes before a heavy storm. The kind that makes the hairs on your arm stand up.Denver Williams sat in his study, a glass of whiskey in his hand, staring at the wall. The room was dark except for one lamp. His face was half in shadow.Dana sat across from him, her legs crossed, a wine glass in her hand. She looked calm. But her eyes were sharp. Watching.Leslie sat on the small couch near the window. She was curled up, her knees to her chest, staring at nothing.The meeting with Todd at the hospital had not gone the way Denver wanted. The boy was stubborn. Still defiant. Even after everything."He's not broken." Denver said finally. His voice was quiet. That was worse than shouting.Dana took a sip of wine. "He will be. Give it time.""I don't have time." Denver set his glass down hard. The liquid sloshed over the side. "His phone. My boys went back for it but it was not there. I think we
(RORY'S POV)Tia spent the next hour explaining everything.She talked about the legal process. About what would happen next. About the police, the courts, the media.She talked about Denver's history. Other contracts. Other victims. People who had been too scared to speak."His pattern is the same every time." She said. "He finds vulnerable people. He offers them money, security, success. Then he traps them. Controls them. Threatens them.""Why does no one stop him?" I asked.Tia sighed. "Because he's smart. He never leaves evidence. Until now." She looked at Todd. "He made a mistake with you. He thought you were just a scared kid. He didn't expect you to fight back."Todd's jaw tightened. "I'm not scared anymore.""Good." Tia nodded. "You're going to need that courage. This is going to get ugly before it gets better."George leaned forward. "What do you need from us?""Everything." Tia said. "Testimony. Evidence. Patience. This won't be quick. Denver will drag it out. He'll try to d
(RORY'S POV)Tia walked into the hospital room as boldly as ever. Not in a rude way. In a confident way. The kind of way that made you feel like everything was going to be okay because she was here now.She was wearing a simple blue dress and her hair was pulled back. But her eyes were sharp. Focused. The eyes of someone who was ready to fight."Oh, sweetheart." She came straight to me and pulled me into a hug. "Look at you. You look exhausted."I hugged her back. It felt good. Safe. "I'm okay."She pulled back and looked at me carefully. Then she turned to Todd."And you." She walked to his bedside. "You look like you've been through hell."Todd tried to smile. "That's one way to put it."Tia pulled up a chair and sat down close to him. She reached out and took his hand. Gentle. Caring."I'm so sorry this happened to you." She said. "So sorry."Todd's eyes got a little wet. He blinked quickly. "Thank you."Tia looked at me. "Tell me everything. From the beginning. Don't leave anythi
(RORY'S POV)"I can't see them. I want to see them." Nana insisted.Her face was squished against the phone screen, her eyes narrowed like that would help her see better. Behind her, I could see the familiar kitchen cabinets, the edge of the dining table, the sunlight coming through the window."Nana, you're too close." I said, trying not to laugh. "Move back a little."She moved back. Now I could only see her chin."The other way, Nana."She moved the phone again and finally her whole face appeared. Rosalie was behind her, shaking her head and laughing silently."Can you see Todd?" Nana asked. "Let me see him. I want to see for myself that he's okay."I turned the phone toward Todd. He was propped up in his hospital bed, looking tired but awake. His face was still bruised, still swollen in places. But he was smiling. A small smile, but real."Hi, Nana." He said.Nana's face went soft. The way it always did when she saw someone she loved hurting."Oh, mijo." She said softly. "Look at







