LOGINRyker’s POV
The horn had ripped through the night like a shark knife . My heart leapt into my throat, my feet moving before my brain could even register what I was doing.
Ronaldo froze for a split second, right on the curb, and then instinctively jumped back. The car swerved violently, tires screeching, a metal groan filling the air as it skidded past him with mere inches to spare.
My
Leo's POVI tossed and turned all night.Sleep never came.Every time I shut my eyes, another memory forced them open again.Ryker's frightened voice on the phone.My mother's face after I screamed at her.My father's cold expression.The altar.Ryker's name leaving my mouth before I could stop it.Everything had fallen apart because of one mistake.One sentence.One name.I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling.Ryker was hiding because of me.He was scared to step outside because of me.He had abandoned his normal life because of me.Every passing hour only made me feel worse.I couldn't keep sitting here pre
Ryker's POVNeither of us had slept much.Vanessa sat cross-legged on the rug in front of the coffee table, legal pads and loose sheets of paper scattered everywhere. We'd spent hours writing possibilities, crossing them out, only to replace them with even worse ideas.Every road seemed to lead to another dead end."What about the police?" I asked again, tapping a pen against the paper.I sighed."We've already talked about that." She muttered."I know.""So why bring it up again?" She asked marrer of factly "Because I keep hoping it'll magically become a better option."A bitter laugh escaped her."I wish."The room fell quiet.I stared at the list we'd made.Police.Crossed out.Tell the media.Crossed out.Tell the university.Crossed out.Every option carried the same terrifying conclusion.No proof.No evidence.Only my word.And against someone like Padrino...My word meant nothing."He has too much influence," I murmured.Vanessa nodded reluctantly."If we accuse him now...""
Ronaldo's POVAfter the men practically paraded us around campus searching for Ryker. They escorted us back to our dorm. I was glad that this was all going to be over. They hadn't found Ryker. Good.But it was only a matter of time." If you see him or speak to him, don't hesitate to reach out to us. I'd hate to see good kids like you three suffer because a friend made bad choices" the taller one said before clearing his throat and placing a card on the table.The short one nodded in agreement then both of them turned and slammed the door behind them.Chris was still standing near the doorway, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought he might crack a tooth. Oliver sat heavily on the edge of his bed, rubbing both hands over his face as if he could somehow wipe away everything that had happened in the last hour.I couldn't stop staring at Ryker's bed.It was still perfectly made.His pillow sat exactly where he'd left it.His hoodie was still hanging over the chair.Everything about the r
Leo's POVMy heart wouldn't slow down.No matter how many times I told myself to breathe, it wouldn't.Dad had sent men to look for Ryker.He actually fucking did it."Damn it..."I dragged both hands through my hair and paced the length of the bedroom for what had to be the hundredth time. The room felt suffocating. Every wall seemed to press closer and closer until it was difficult to breathe.When Ryker called earlier, I had tried to sound calm.Steady.In control.Because if he heard even a fraction of the panic in my voice, he'd panic too.But I wasn't calm.I was terrified.What if I was too late?What if...No.I couldn't even finish the thought.Catherine had fallen asleep hours ago in the adjoining room. Or maybe she was only pretending to sleep so she wouldn't have to see me. After our argument earlier, I couldn't blame her.I didn't even have the energy to think about my marriage anymore.Ryker.Only Ryker."What am I going to do?" I whispered.The question echoed back at m
Leo's POVMy heart wouldn't slow down.No matter how many times I told myself to breathe, it wouldn't.Dad had sent men to look for Ryker.He actually fucking did it."Damn it..."I dragged both hands through my hair and paced the length of the bedroom for what had to be the hundredth time. The room felt suffocating. Every wall seemed to press closer and closer until it was difficult to breathe.When Ryker called earlier, I had tried to sound calm.Steady.In control.Because if he heard even a fraction of the panic in my voice, he'd panic too.But I wasn't calm.I was terrified.What if I was too late?What if...No.I couldn't even finish the thought.Catherine had fallen asleep hours ago in the adjoining room. Or maybe she was only pretending to sleep so she wouldn't have to see me. After our argument earlier, I couldn't blame her.I didn't even have the energy to think about my marriage anymore.Ryker.Only Ryker."What am I going to do?" I whispered.The question echoed back at m
Ryker's POVSomething sharp sliced through my dream.My phone.It kept vibrating against the wooden nightstand beside the bed.I frowned, still half asleep, and blindly reached for it before pressing the answer button without even checking who was calling."...Hello?""Ryker?"The familiar voice instantly woke me up."Professor John Mark?"Relief flooded his voice so suddenly it startled me."Oh, thank God."I sat upright.The room was dark except for the moonlight spilling through the curtains. Vanessa was asleep on the other side of the room, curled beneath a blanket."Professor... are you okay?""No." He sounded shaken. "The question is, are you okay?"I blinked."What?""I've had some very strange visitors tonight."My heartbeat slowed."...Visitors?""They came to my hospital room asking about you."Every trace of sleep disappeared."What?""There were two men. Tall. Suits. They looked... dangerous."I gripped the phone tighter."They weren't doctors.""They weren't police.""The
RYKER'S POVJust two weeks.That's all it took for my dream to rot.I could vividly recall how ecstatic I had been when I gained a full scholarship into Milestone College. A prestigious boarding college, where the rich ruled and the poor trembled. The rich students made my life hell for one simpl
Ryker’s POVI thought I would feel a whole lot lighter after last night, but I didn’t.Not even close.Chris and Oliver had done everything they could to distract me. Pizza, stupid movies, random jokes, Olive
Ryker’s POVFor a moment, I just stood there.The airport moved around me like I wasn’t part of it anymore. People rushed past with luggage, voices overlapped, announcements echoed overhead, and somehow, none of it touched me. I
RYKER'S POVMy heart didn't slow down. The devil was closer now—too close. Fear tangled with desire and I hated how badly I wanted this.“This isn't romance.” Leonardo said calmly, watching me intently.“I know.” I breathed, chest tightening.“You'll belong to me.” He said, meaning each word. “In p







