I wrap my leg around hers, lay my face near hers, and just like that, I fall asleep.

A nightmare pulls me awake in the middle of the night. I don’t remember it, but I don’t have to.

Every time I try to ignore the past and sleep with Reina, my brain summons my guilt and makes me relive that nightmarish day.

Reina is still fast asleep in my hold. In the dark, I can only make out the line of her face and neck and feel how her other arm is holding on to mine like it’s some sort of a lifeline.

She wiggles her ass against me in her sleep. My already semi-hard dick twitches to life, finding its way between her legs.

I pull her hair to the side, baring her neck, which still smells of lilac and the hint of sex. My lips find her flesh in a feather-light kiss.

A soft moan tears out of her as I suck on the skin. I lift her upper thigh and play with her nipple with the other hand.

“Ash…” she mumbles in her half-sleep.

I slide inside her and she turns her head toward me. Her eyes are closed halfway as she palms my cheek and captures my lips with hers.

It’s a soft kiss, slow and passionate. I thrust inside her in the same rhythm, my dick matching my tongue until she shudders and I empty inside her.

I don’t bother slipping out of her this time. I need to stay here until I’m able to fuck her again.

A satisfied smile curves her lips as she falls back asleep. I take her one more time during the night, but no matter how much I fuck her, it’s never enough.

The more I let myself get lost in her, the harder my brain hits me with guilt.

It’s a weird thing, guilt. It’s able to eat you from the inside out and you get no chance to fight.

Let her see you.

Aiden’s words keep playing in my head most of the night and I find no sleep.

None whatsoever.

At five in the morning, I give up and decide to do something about it.

This has been long overdue.

After putting on shorts, I return to Reina and nudge her shoulder. “Wake up.”

She mumbles something but doesn’t comply.

“Reina.”

“I’m so sore, Ash.” She covers her head with the sheet. “Later, okay?”

She must be exhausted from how many times I took her in one night, but this can’t wait.

Not anymore.

I fling the sheet from her head. “Wake up now.”

Her eyes remain closed as she grumbles, “Do something about your stamina, dude.”

My lips twitch in a smile before I school my features. “Are you going to wake up or should I pour water on you?”

She sits up like a robot, slowly opening her eyes and wincing. “Ouch, I can barely sit. I think you broke me.”

“Come on.”

She points at the neon numbers on the clock, expression incredulous. “It’s five in the morning. What the hell?”

“Move that ass, Reina.”

She glares at me with half-opened eyes. “The one you broke?”

Who knew she could be such a drama queen when she’s sleepy and sore.

When I continue staring, she groans, “Fine, coming, coming.” She pauses and wraps the sheet around her tits protectively. “Not that type of coming. Don’t even think about it, Ash. I mean it.”

Fuck me.

I love this side of her a bit too much. That’s why a part of me wants to run her a bath and take care of her. It’s the same part that fell in love with her a long time ago and doesn’t want me to fucking do what I’ve planned.

But that part has had no say in anything since three years ago.

Reina murdered that part in cold blood.

I grab her by the arm and lift her in my arms, sheet and all. She squeals before her hands wind around my neck.

“Give a girl a warning.” She pants as I step into the balcony. “Where are we going?”

I place her on the chair near the edge—the same edge she threatened to jump from not so long ago.

Reina’s eyes widen as if she’s coming to a realization. She pulls her knees to her chest and visible goosebumps cover her bare shoulders and arms.

She gulps while staring up at me.

Even I don’t know how I look right now. All I know is this ends today.

Every. Fucking. Thing.

Just like everything ended three years ago.

Three years ago

I take two steps at a time toward the school’s rooftop. Ari likes to meet here because it’s away from other students.

She has a weird relationship with people. Some days, she wants their acceptance. Other days, she just wants them dead.

It’s how her brain works, her shrink told us. You just have to adapt to her and try not to antagonize her.

My head is still fucking mush after her revelation yesterday. I saw her talking to Reina near the pool in the morning, and that’s probably why I’m tense. Or it could be because I’m still damn pissed about Reina and that cocksucker.

And yes, Alexander took care of him. The school got word today that he’s moving states, or probably countries. Alexander has a knack for dealing with people and making them disappear.

It’s what he does best beneath all the legal talk and the sharp suit.

Then, there’s Reina.

Fucking Reina and her cold shoulder and stiff attitude. One day, I’m going to fuck it out of her.

One fucking day.

I jam my still bandaged fist into the wall to release the energy. I can’t talk to Ari when I’m in such a volatile mood. She’ll sense it and let it affect her.

Opening the door, I stand there for a second and inhale a deep breath. The afternoon sun has turned orange in the distance. It’s weird for Ari to stay at school this late, especially since she doesn’t have any club activities to attend.

I find her sitting at the edge with Jason. My nostrils flare upon seeing him.

I don’t like that motherfucker.

Not only is he hanging around my sister, he’s also trying to get his goddamn claws in Reina.

The only reason I haven’t rearranged his face and had Alexander relocate him to a third world country is because of Elizabeth.

Upon noticing me, he throws one last glance at Ari. She nods once, and he stands up and heads to the exit. He doesn’t make eye contact as he pushes through the door.

“Ari.” I try to hold on to my patience as I stride to her. “I told you not to hang around him. There’s something weird about—”

I freeze in place when Ari stands up abruptly. Her feet hang on the edge—the literal fucking edge.

Tears streak her pale cheeks, eyes bloodshot and red. Her white dress and black hair fly in the air behind her. The wind is so strong, it shakes her tiny body.

“Ari…what are you doing?” I try to keep my voice level, try not to freak the fuck out.

I approach her slowly.

“Stop.” She holds up both her hands and I stop, my heart beating so loud I barely hear the whistle of the wind or her loud sniffles.

“Ari. Come down, baby sis. We can talk about this, okay?”

She shakes her head frantically. Her leg slips off the edge and I swear my own heart slips out of place as well.

“It’s over, Gray.” Her voice is so emotional, it guts me.

“Nothing is over, Ari.” I reach a hand out. “Come here. We’ll work it out, okay? Just you and me.”