"Are you coming with me nicely," Hero whispered into my ear, "or should I make a scene and worry your friends?"
His breath was warm against my skin, his tone calm—but there was a menace beneath it that made my stomach clench. As he pulled away, I caught a glimpse of the dangerous smile playing on his lips. My panicked gaze flicked toward the two guys flanking him—his men, no doubt—and then shifted toward Eve and Mike, who stood chatting a few feet away, blissfully unaware.
"Well?" he prompted.
"I'll go with you," I replied quietly, my voice trembling. "Just… leave my friends out of it. They have a kid. They don't need any drama with me and Felix."
I could feel the New Yorker's eyes tracking my every move as I turned and walked toward Eve and Mike. My mind raced, frantically stitching together an excuse—any excuse that would get me out of there without raising suspicion.
"I'm sorry," I said with a faint smile. "But I think I'm going to head home."
"What? Why?" Eve's expression shifted instantly to confusion. "Did something happen?"
"I think the adrenaline got to me. I suddenly feel really tired. I'll just call a cab and go back to my place."
"Can't you hang on for a bit longer?" she asked. "We'll be heading out in like, an hour."
I offered her a sheepish smile. "You're the one who keeps saying I'm a big girl now, remember? I can make it home on my own."
Mike was looking past me, frowning. I followed his gaze and saw him squinting at Hero. His instincts were clearly on alert.
"This doesn't have anything to do with that guy, does it? You're not planning to go anywhere with him, right?"
A wave of heat surged through my body and gathered in my cheeks.
"Are you crazy?" I scoffed, lying through my teeth. "I don't even know him."
"He's seriously hot," Eve muttered under her breath. "If I weren't taken, I'd totally—"
Mike turned to her with a scowl. "Wow, thanks, babe."
"Oh, come on," she laughed nervously. "You know you're the only one I ever actually look at."
"You just admitted to looking at someone else," he replied flatly.
I let out a sigh, feeling like I'd just started a fight I didn't mean to.
"Eve, you never think before you talk," I said with a forced chuckle. I glanced over at Hero again. He was watching from a distance, subtly pointing to his watch.
"I'll text you when I get home. Have fun, you two." I threw my arms around them in a quick hug. "And Mike, don't be mad. You know Eve's brain is like a bird's nest—full of fluff."
Eve narrowed her eyes at me. "Get lost already."
I walked off in the opposite direction of Hero, taking a longer route around the building to make sure my friends wouldn't see us leave together. Ten minutes later, just as I passed the edge of the fence, I heard the low hum of a motorcycle and felt him beside me.
"I feel like some sneaky teenager again," he muttered, stepping off the bike to walk beside me. "Used to do this all the time to fool my dad. He never fell for it."
"Where are you taking me?" I asked, trying to keep the fear out of my voice. "I swear, I've cut things off with Felix. I told him there's nothing between us."
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he extended his hand to me. I hesitated before placing mine in his—more out of fear than trust.
"My real name's Lucas," he said casually. "Not saying it's a pleasure, but you can consider this an official introduction." His fingers tightened slightly. "I won't hurt you, Selena… unless you give me a reason."
I swallowed hard, my throat dry.
"Why are you so possessive of Felix?"
A sour smile twisted his lips. That had clearly been the wrong question.
"Because I'm the one who pulled him out of hell. And you? You're the one who shoved him into it. You're the reason he ended up in a psychiatric ward."
I instinctively rubbed my shoulder and looked away, the guilt gnawing at my insides. He wasn't wrong. I had a part in Felix's spiral. A large one.
"So… where are you taking me? What do you want with me?"
Lucas's expression softened—just slightly. His dark brows furrowed, and I thought I saw a flicker of pity in his eyes.
"I told you, I won't hurt you."
But how was I supposed to believe that? From the moment he'd reentered my life, he'd been all threats and control. The first time we met, he'd broken me in ways I hadn't even realized until later. I was only lucky that Sebastian had found me that night and helped me pick up the pieces.
"You didn't seem too worried about hurting me back then," I whispered. "Why the change of heart now?"
"Because," he said with a crooked smile, "you're kind of interesting. But definitely not right for Felix."
I blinked. "You still haven't told me where we're going."
"Home, mouse," he said, leaning in so close I could smell the faint scent of leather and danger on him. "So you can end things with Felix. I want to see it for myself."
"How do you expect me to do that? Just tell him I'm not interested and walk away?"
"Don't worry. I'll help you with that," he said, brushing his fingers along my chin. "Hop on, mouse."
He patted the back seat of the motorcycle.
I stared at it, heart pounding, a single thought echoing through my head:
Why does Felix always complicate my life like this?
*
My mouth fell open as I stared at the villa that belonged to Lucas' family. The building towered three stories high, the size of a small apartment block, with elegant rooms flanked by graceful balconies. I turned slowly, taking in the lush garden that seemed to stretch endlessly, complete with an illuminated fountain that shimmered beneath the night sky. To the right stood an open garage, sheltering at least a dozen vehicles—sleek sports cars, glossy sedans, rugged SUVs. Another motorcycle, different in color from the one we'd ridden, gleamed under the light.
Lucas was disgustingly rich.
For a moment, I forgot my fear.
As soon as we stepped inside, I gasped. Luxury enveloped me from all directions. White lacquered ceramic tiles reflected the soft light of silver chandeliers. The walls, a rich graphite hue, were adorned with expensive-looking paintings that I didn't need to appraise to know they were genuine.
I wasn't a materialist—at least, that's what I always told myself—but part of me craved this kind of splendor.
"My father, when he was still alive, loved luxury," Lucas remarked suddenly, pulling me back to reality. "And what's left of it for him now that he's rolling over in his grave?"
I turned sharply toward him, eyes wide with shock.
"Brother?"
The voice came from the stairs. Felix stood halfway up, one hand gripping the railing. His face, pale in the dim light, lost all color when he saw me.
"Selena? Why are you with Lucas?"
"Fantastic," Lucas muttered. "I was afraid you'd be sleeping like a baby by now. I brought a guest."
"Brother, please..." Felix's voice broke as he closed his eyes. He looked terrified—truly, soul-deep terrified.
"And what are you whining about? I'm not going to hurt her. I just want us to talk," Lucas said, shaking his head with mock disappointment. "Selena is... fascinating. I actually regret wanting to hurt her before."
With a casual smile, he walked toward the living room.
Felix rushed down the stairs and gripped my hand, his panic mirroring my own.
"How did this happen? Why are you with him?"
"It's a long story. I didn't have much choice," I whispered. "I was scared he'd go after Eve and Mike. I was at the races... that's where I ran into him."
Felix rubbed his forehead, visibly unraveling.
"Are you coming, or are you waiting for a special invitation?" Lucas called from the living room, his voice sharp.
Still holding my hand, Felix led me into a vast room that looked like it belonged in a palace. A fire roared in the fireplace, casting golden light across the leather furniture. I sat down, feeling small and out of place, while Lucas lounged in an armchair like a king on his throne. Felix lowered himself beside me, looking like a man headed to the gallows.
"Stay out of our lives, please," Felix said at last, eyes shut, refusing to look at his cousin. "Selena isn't the reason for my illness, and you know it."
Lucas arched an amused eyebrow. "Do you think so?"
"You should know best. Don't look for the cause in others."
Lucas didn't like the defiance in Felix's tone—I could see it in his eyes.
"Don't get clever in front of her," he warned.
"Please... just let us live our lives," Felix pleaded, his voice cracking. "Selena is the only happiness I've ever known. She's the only light I see."
"Brother, it's not good if you're seeing bright lights," Lucas replied coldly. "That usually means you're near death."
I flinched. My breath caught as I turned to Lucas, horror creeping into my chest. He noticed. Of course he did.
"Selena..." he drawled, leaning forward until his elbows rested on his knees. "Tell me, mouse. Were you happy with Felix? What was your relationship really like?"
He was a predator cloaked in silk, circling his prey. He must have known our past—how twisted and painful it had been, how deeply we had loved and hurt each other.
"Even though he hurt me several times... I couldn't live without him," I admitted quietly.
"Toxic," Lucas murmured, wrinkling his brow. "Sounds very toxic, doesn't it... brother?"
Felix's eyes darkened into something murderous.
"I'm grateful you got me out of the hospital," he said, voice trembling, "and that you made me feel human again, but—"
"You what?" Lucas snapped, cutting him off. "I gave you a new life, and now you want to go back to your old one? To ruin yourself again? After everything I did to save you, you want to throw it away?" His voice rose like a storm, fury twisting his expression.
"Are you really worried about me? Or did you take me from the hospital just to show me your life—what you've built, what I could never have? To punish me for never letting you in?" Felix's voice cracked into a scream. "Even as kids, I suffered because of you! You ruined me!"
Lucas' face changed—something wild, unhinged flashing in his eyes.
"You dreamed of my life, envied everything I had. And now? Now you want to take Selena from me too—because you know she's everything to me!"
In a blur, Lucas stormed forward, grabbed Felix by the collar, and jerked him violently.
I sat frozen beside them, too paralyzed with fear to move.
"And who made me lose my chance at a real childhood?" Lucas roared. "You! You never wanted me in your house! You did everything to get rid of me!"
"Because of you, I was always blamed! I was always the problem, always weird in my parents' eyes!"
"Because you were a fat, useless freak!" Lucas bellowed. "I tried to make you stronger! I succeeded in middle school!"
"You didn't fix me! You broke me!" Felix shouted back. "You turned me into a monster! And now you're doing it again—trying to destroy everything I've built!"
My hands flew to my face as I tried to muffle a gasp. I never knew. Felix had always said it was his mother who scarred him—but this… this was a truth he'd buried deep.
Lucas finally let go of his cousin, his chest heaving.
"Think whatever you want," he hissed, his voice low and cold. "But I'll never let you be with Selena." His eyes flicked to me. "End it. Fast. Before I really lose my patience, mouse."
He turned and walked out of the room.
A cold sweat soaked my skin. I looked at Felix with wide, terrified eyes.
"I'm scared of him," I whispered. "I'm... panic-stricken."
Felix's reply came without hesitation, soft and hollow.
"So am I."