Semua Bab TRAPPED IN HIS WEBS: Bab 21 - Bab 26

The ProvocationThe room was quiet after the punishment. David was still sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands resting on his knees. I was sitting next to him, my skin still buzzing from the sting. The air felt thick, like a storm had just passed but the clouds were still hanging low. I should have felt humbled. I should have been quiet. But the fire in my gut hadn't gone out; it had just changed shape.I reached for my phone on the nightstand. It buzzed right as my fingers touched the glass."Who is that?" David asked. His voice was sharp again.I looked at the screen. It was a text from Liam.Liam: Great practice today, Leo. We’re having a private party at my place tonight after the game. Just the inner circle. You have to come. I’m not taking no for an answer.I felt a surge of reckless energy. I turned the screen so David could see it. "It's Liam. He’s inviting me to a party tonight. He says it's for the 'inner circle.'"David’s face went dark. He snatched the phone out of my

The Falling StarThe Dean’s office was too bright. The morning sun hit the white walls and made my head throb. I sat in a hard wooden chair, my hands tucked under my thighs so the Dean wouldn't see my split knuckles. I smelled like stale beer and copper. Across from me, Dean Henderson was looking at a file like it was a piece of rotten meat."I don't understand, Leo," he said, finally looking up. "You’re an honors student. You’re on the Dean’s list. You’re the face of the soccer team. And now I have a report that you nearly broke a transfer student's jaw at an off-campus party.""He said things, sir," I muttered. My voice felt like it was coming from the bottom of a well."He says you attacked him without provocation. There were witnesses. There are videos, Leo. People have already posted them," the Dean said. He sighed, leaning back. "The university has a zero-tolerance policy for violence. Given your record, I’m not expelling you. But you are suspended. Two weeks. Effective immediat

The Breaking PointI sat in my office with the lights dimmed, staring at the security footage on my laptop. It was the video everyone was talking about. Leo, my Leo, throwing punches like a man who had nothing left to lose. I had watched it twenty times. I was angry that he had disobeyed me, but seeing him snap like that—seeing that raw, untamed fire—did something to me that I couldn't explain.Then he went silent. No texts. No calls. For twelve hours, the boy who usually couldn't stop seeking my attention had vanished.I poured another glass of scotch, the amber liquid glowing in the light from the city skyline. I told myself I didn't care. I told myself he was just a student, a part of a game I was playing to keep my world in order. But my hand was shaking as I reached for the glass.Suddenly, the private elevator chimed.I frowned. It was two in the morning. No one had the code except for my top security team and—The doors slid open.Leo stumbled out. He wasn't wearing one of the