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I move fast, adrenaline coursing through me, not giving a shit about anything else. My focus is on her. She’s shaking, trying to get away from what happened in that room.

“Sienna,” I call out. “Wait.”

She doesn’t stop. Her hand flies out, like she’s trying to shield herself from me, or maybe it’s just instinct to get the hell away from everything. I don’t blame her.

“Sienna!” I’m getting closer now.

She looks up at me, her eyes wide, lost. There’s a mix of confusion and anger in her expression.

“Don’t,” she whispers. “Just don’t.”

Her voice cracks, and fuck, seeing her with the bunny mask hits me all the same. It’s so fucking hot.

“I’m sorry,” I say when I see her tears. “This wasn’t how it should’ve gone down,” I rush out, not sure what I’m even apologizing for. For not stopping Caleb? For not stopping myself? For fucking her mouth and coming all over her face? It was hot as hell.

She shakes her head, muttering something to herself, then looks away.

I try to step closer, but she flinches back.

“Sie, I’m not gonna hurt you,” I say, my voice even, but there’s a desperation underneath it. “I’m not like him.”

And then, out of nowhere, a voice cuts through the tension. “What’s this? I didn’t know we had a pretty little thing hiding back here.”

I turn, eyes narrowing as the guy strolls into view. He’s got that cocky, smug look that screams trouble. Probably one of Caleb’s buddies, thinking he can play his game too.

He steps closer to her, like she’s a prize, a thing to be won. “Those bunny ears, man. I want her next.”

My blood starts to boil. What the fuck is this place? I’ve been part of some dark shit back in New York, but this is fucking out of control. The idea of anyone getting close to her, touching her, saying shit like that, it fucking cracks something inside me.

I charge toward him and snap, “Stay the fuck away from her.”

The guy chuckles, like it’s a joke. “Oh, come on, man. She’s just a girl. We all know what she’s here for.”

I can barely breathe, the rage building in my chest, a hot, suffocating weight.

He doesn’t back off. Instead, he takes a step closer, his grin widening. “You’re not gonna do shit. You’re not even a real player here, man. You’re just following orders.”

I swing first. My fist connects with his jaw before he can even process it, and the fucker goes down like a sack of shit.

I barely have time to catch my breath before another guy is on me. We tumble, fists flying. My fists connect with this fucker’s jaw. My blood’s pumping, adrenaline taking over.

I slam my elbow into his gut, knocking him back. But before I can make another move, he’s already scrambling to his feet, laughing like it’s some fucking game. He rushes me, taking me to the ground. The wind is knocked from my chest, but I don’t let it stop me.

I don’t know how long we go at it, but eventually, the guy stumbles back. I don’t even check if he’s knocked out. I don’t care as long he’s fucking done.

I turn around, my eyes scanning the hallway, but she’s gone. Sienna’s fucking gone.

“Sienna!” I shout, but there’s no answer. The halls are empty.

I run down the hall, looking in every direction, but it’s like she vanished into thin air.

There’s no sign of her anywhere. I curse under my breath, heart pounding. I liked what we did — what we did. But I can’t let her be this messed up, this lost because of me. She deserves better than this shit.

After what feels like an eternity, I finally head back to the room, still looking for her. Still hoping she’s here, hiding, waiting for me to fix everything.

But when I open the door, the sight hits me like a freight train.

Caleb’s on the couch, some random blonde beneath him. Her moans fill the air, but it’s not the fucking that stops me — it’s the look on Caleb’s face. He’s fucking enjoying this.

I don’t give a shit about what he’s doing, but seeing this, it just makes the rage bubble back up. I thought maybe... maybe he’d feel something for her too. Maybe he’d give a damn.

But this? It’s like it doesn’t even matter to him. She’s just another body. Another conquest.

The fucked up part?

I relate to him, fucking any bitch that looks my way. I realize that I’m acting a fool over Sienna. Wasn’t it him who told me to be careful with the Coach’s daughter? But it looks like I’m not the only one who wanted a taste.

I don’t say a word. I don’t even look at the girl. Just grab my mask from the table and make my way to the door.

Caleb barely notices me. He’s too busy with his fucking toy.

“Eli,” he calls out, but I’m already gone. I don’t need to hear him. I don’t need to know what he’s thinking.

I step into the night air, the cold biting at my skin. But it’s nothing compared to what’s in my chest. It feels like I’m splitting apart from the inside out.

I want to go after her. But I’m too late. She’s already disappeared.

I grab another beer from the fridge, ignoring the people around me. The noise, the chatter, it’s all too much. I don’t want to be here, don’t want to deal with the superficial bullshit. This whole party? It’s a waste of time. I’ve got other things on my mind, things I can’t shake.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out.

It’s a text from my dad’s lawyer, Mr. Coleman.

Nothing helpful, just a reminder to “stay patient” regarding the case.

Yeah, right. My father’s in danger, and I’m stuck here, pretending like I’m not a fucking mess.

Pretending that Sienna isn’t a glimmer of hope in a dark time.

I toss the phone back in my pocket, chugging the beer instead. I’ll go back to my apartment, alone. That’s where I’m at right now. I don’t need people. Don’t need anybody. Fuck everyone.

The night drags on, and finally, I make my exit.

Back to my place. My apartment’s quiet. Too quiet.

I shower, trying to wash off the frustrations of the day, but it doesn’t help.

I end up tossing and turning in bed for hours.

Three a.m. rolls around, and I can’t take it anymore.

I grab my sneakers, slipping them on before grabbing my keys. Time to go.

I get into my car and drive, no real destination in mind. But I know where I end up. The coach’s house. I park down the street, watching the sleeping house. It’s too quiet here. Too still.

I get out of the car, climb the tree near her window, and peer inside. She’s curled up in bed, sleeping. I should leave. I should. But something’s pushing me closer, making me want to do something I know I shouldn’t.

I break into her house, careful not to wake her, but she stirs the moment I enter her room. She gasps, panic in her eyes as she bolts upright. She’s going to scream. I know it.

I don’t want her to scream. I don’t want her scared of me. But I can’t undo what I’ve already done.

I hold my hands up, trying to calm her. “I’m not here to hurt you,” I say, my voice low, barely above a whisper.

She scoots back against the wall, eyes wide, ready to run. “Leave,” she demands, her voice sharp.

“I’m not going anywhere, Sie,” I say. There’s no way I’m leaving without talking to her. Without making sure she’s okay.

She’s breathing hard, her body tense. But I don’t back off. I climb into bed beside her, my hands on her shoulders as I pull her towards me. “Calm down,” I murmur, my voice rough. “I’m not gonna hurt you.”

She turns her face away from me, but I won’t let her pull away.

I spin her gently, wrapping my arms around her.

It’s almost like everything stops for a second.

Like the world outside doesn’t matter. I can feel her heartbeat against mine, her breath steadying.

I don’t know who falls asleep first, but we do.

I don’t even know what this is, what I’m doing, but I know I don’t want to let her go.

I wake up to sunlight streaming through the blinds, warming the room and casting a soft glow over her.

She’s still asleep, curled up next to me.

For a second, everything feels calm. Her breathing is soft, steady.

Her hair falls across her face, and I want to brush it away.

She looks so peaceful, like last night never happened.

But it did.

I shift closer, barely breathing, just watching her.

She’s wearing a loose tank top and shorts, her legs tucked under the comforter.

There’s something about seeing her like this, so vulnerable, so beautiful, it messes with my head.

I reach out, hesitating for a second, then cup her cheek.

Her skin’s warm under my hand. She shifts slightly, her lips parting in her sleep.

My thumb brushes over her bottom lip, and she lets out a soft breath.

Jesus, she doesn’t even know what she’s doing to me, lying there all innocent.

My fingers trail down her arm, slow and careful, like she might shatter if I’m too rough.

Then she stirs, her body moving slightly under my touch.

My chest tightens, and I pull my hand back, but my eyes don’t leave her.

Her tank top rides up a little, showing more of her stomach. My mind’s racing, thoughts I shouldn’t have pounding in my head. I lean in, pressing a kiss to the back of her neck. She smells like lavender and something sweeter.

Downstairs, I hear footsteps, the faint sound of her dad shuffling around. My jaw tightens. If he knew I was here, I’d be a dead man. Hell, I probably deserve it after last night. The thought twists in my gut, but I can’t bring myself to leave.

I lean closer, my lips brushing against her ear. “Sienna,” I whisper, voice low. She stirs again, her lashes fluttering. Then her eyes snap open, and the calm is gone.

Her body goes rigid, her eyes wide as she takes me in. “What the— Eli? What are you still doing here?”

“Relax,” I say quickly, holding up my hands.

“Relax?” she hisses, sitting up and yanking the comforter higher. “You broke into my house!”

“I wanted to talk.”

“Talk? Are you serious right now?” Her voice is sharp, but there’s fear behind it.