I look him dead in the eye.
“She’s a nice girl. That’s all.”
The words fall out flat. Empty, and I know I’m not convincing either of us.
The bike waits like a beast beside Declan, silent and hungry. One swing of my leg and I straddle it, the engine roaring to life beneath me, rumbling so loud it rattles the shattered warehouse glass. Power hums through the frame, and for a second, it’s the only thing grounding me.
“Flynn, don’t do anything stupid, mate,” Declan calls out.
A flick of the wrist and the throttle snarls. The bike launches forward, tyres screaming across wet concrete, the black helmet swallowing my face. Wind claws at my suit jacket, dragging it open like a warning, while cold rainpelts down, soaking through the fabric like needles. I want it. Every sting. Every sting is her.
The way she set it up, like some twisted game. She always seemed so innocent, but apparently there is a little dark side in those pretty eyes.
Sex, fine. But losing her virginity like that? On the floor, in a stranger’s mansion, no lights, no words? That wasn’t seduction. That was something else entirely.
Now the memory turns. Her face twisted in pain. She wasn’t just overwhelmed—she washurting. Because she’d never done it before.
Could’ve taken my time. Could’ve made it easier for her.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
No. That’s not who I am.
Would’ve never touched her if I’d known. That kind of thing… leaves a mark. Stains you. First times cling to the skin, nest under the ribs. Mine still haunts me. I was seventeen, her curves older than her judgement, my father’s friend. It was wrong. Felt good at the time, but afterwards? Emptied me out. She meant nothing. Just someone who saw a bored boy and made him feel grown.
Fuck. This isn’t the same. It shouldn’t be the same.
What the hell am I meant to do now? Call her? Bang on Autumn’s door and force her to look me in the eye? Or pretend none of it happened and let the silence rot me from the inside out?
Rain lashes down harder, the road nothing but a blur of black and water. Speed claws at me, faster, harder, begging for something to break.
Call from Kaden.
The screen flashes. Slowing just enough, I answer.
“Where are you?” he asks, tone lined with tension.
“Five minutes.”
The line goes dead. Her name still echoes in my skull, and I fucking hate that I can’t tear it out.
Pulling into the garage, the floodlights blur in the rain. Security waves me through. Kaden leans against the wall by the elevator, eyes sharp, arms crossed.
Dismounting, I tear off the helmet. Clothes cling to me, rain-soaked and heavy, but I feel none of it.
“What?” The word comes out harsher than intended.
“Declan called,” Kaden says, pushing off the wall. “Told me to make sure you came home.”
From the look in his eyes, I can tell Declan didn’t give details.
A low, bitter chuckle slips out. Not at him. At the mess I’m in. At the fact she told Viviana. Told Declan. Everyoneexceptme. That stings deeper than I want to admit.
We step into the elevator. My fingers punch in the penthouse code, and Kaden doesn’t move. Just watches. Silent. Assessing.
“What’s going on, mate?”
The question lands like a blade. Head shaking, I give him nothing.
