PROLOGUE

5 years earlier.

Lola: 16 years old.

The ground was painted red. The blood ran in a stream down the cracks and into the river. Little red clouds formed under the water, and she stared with tear-filled eyes at the bodies from which the blood was escaping. Her hands held the lives she had just taken, and her mind held the sounds of their screams. Their eyes were still wide open as they stared at their faith, she who had ended them all, she who nobody could escape.

With shaky hands, she pulled their bodies to the river and placed them down. The last one was particularly difficult to let go of, her hands refusing to open as she held him under the water. The life had drained from his eyes, his heart had stopped beating, and his body hadn’t moved for minutes. Yet, she couldn’t part from him.

Closing her eyes and filling her lungs with air, her fingers slowly spread. She watched as her father went with the stream.

* * *

“Lola!”

Lola turned her heavy head to look at Melissa, finally seeing another face apart from all those that haunted her in the university hallways. She walked to the dining hall, where all the students had already been seated. The smell of food and judgmental gazes filled the air like they did every day.

“Don’t mind them,” Melissa said and scowled at everyone around them who was staring.

“You know I never do,” Lola said and looked down into her pasta.

“Are you okay? You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine, just a little tired. I haven’t slept well lately,” Lola said.

The idea of a full night’s sleep seemed like fiction by now. Those sleepless nights and shadows that lurked in the corners of her home had all become so familiar that she wondered how it would be if it stopped. The feeling of being watched every time she was awake- that particular feeling had gotten stronger over the last few months.

“Here, try these. They help me when I can’t sleep or I’m too stressed out.” Melissa handed a bottle of sleeping pills to Lola.

“Thank you.”

They sat quietly and ate but out of nowhere, it was like Melissa had a fit and arched her back as she leaned in to whisper.

"By the way, did you hear about the new guy?"

Lola looked up with a shake of her head.

"They won't say his name but according to the whisper vine- he comes from one of those families that they write about in history books."

"I can only imagine the attack on the poor bastard tomorrow," Lola grinned as she placed the bottle in her bag and closed it up.

* * *

After class, Lola headed to the coffee shop as usual.

Melissa had told her more than once that she didn’t need to work so hard—that if she needed money, Melissa would give it to her without hesitation.

But Lola didn’t want charity. She knew she had to be able to take care of herself.

The bell rang over the door, and three men stepped inside. Everyone turned their heads, the air shifted noticeably and they gawked at the three strangers who causally strode in. In a small town like Wild Cliff, new people stood out like snow in July- especially when they looked like that, rugged and big with a confidence that sat around them like an aura.

“Hi, what can I get you?” she asked and took a shaky breath when she turned to face them. Two of them were dressed in jeans and white button-downs. One of them had a black T-shirt with a gold necklace.

The men stared at Lola. Their gazes seemingly scanned her, searching her eyes and looking around the coffee shop for something.

“Three black coffees, please.”

After Lola finished preparing their order, Melissa asked curiously, "Do you know them?”

Lola shook her head to Melissa’s question and continued taking orders and making coffees.

Darkness started to settle over the buildings, and the street lamps turned on when the little remembrance of sunlight disappeared down the horizon.

After saying goodbye to Lola, Melissa left.

The three men all got up and placed their cups on the counter. The one with the gold ring and dark eyes locked his gaze on hers and kept it there until he was by the door.

“Thank you for the coffee,” he said under his breath when the other two had left the café.

They walked out, and Lola stood still staring at the glass door- who were those men? This was a small town, and having three people like that here would surely be talked about tomorrow.

Lola locked the doors and went out the back, walking down the alley. It was dark and quiet, and a rotten smell from the dumpsters filled the narrow path. A gust of wind blew past her, the hairs on the back of her neck rose and her body shivered. She turned her head, the feeling that she wasn't alone was hard to shake. She looked over her shoulder into the corner where she saw nothing but darkness. Lola continued walking, a metal can fell from the dumpster and rolled in front of her feet. Her heart was beating out of her chest and she turned around to cast one more look; only now she saw a shadow, the shadow of a man in the back of the dark alley. She heard his feet pressing against the ground, dragging as he slowly approached her. Lola turned back and ran without giving it a second thought and she didn't stop until she was out on the street under the lights.

Panting and shaking she turned around and looked if he was behind her but he stopped, just before stepping into the light he instead backed up and disappeared back into the alley. There was no time to stand and wonder who that was, lurking in the shadows, so Lola took off and ran all that she could down the empty street.

He stepped out from the alley and watched her run- a part of him torn with guilt over causing her fear but another happy that she wasn't stupid enough to stay and find out what she was running from.

* * *

Lola lay on the bed in her dark, gloomy apartment, her head slowly rocking back and forth. Her mind was flooded with terrifying memories—fragments of a past she couldn’t forget, no matter how hard she tried.

The creaking continues closer to her bed and she's too deep in sleep to notice him watching over her. He sees how her face is contorted in pain from her nightmare and the sweat that is forming on her face so he leans down, strokes her hair away from her face, and whispers, "Wake up."

“No!” She sat up quickly in bed and panted. She frantically looked around the room and into the dark corners of her apartment.

“Who— Who’s there?” Lola’s words were hoarse and frightened, and she felt a presence around her. Somebody was watching her, but why couldn’t she see them?

She shook her head free from the thoughts and the nightmares and laid back down.

Lola turned and faced the open space, hopefully, the nightmare wouldn't continue- she reached out and grabbed her phone to see how many hours of sleep she would get.

With a loud groan and no tears, she cried into her pillow and begged that she would fall back asleep; so she put the phone away and turned her head only to meet the corner of the apartment where two yellow eyes pierced back at her.

Lola screamed and flew up from the bed- she reached out and turned the lamp on.

The corner was as empty as always and the curtain blew to cover the spot where she thought a man had been standing. The window let in a small breeze and she closed her eyes.

The nightmares were causing hallucinations-that had to be it.

Lola flew up in her bed to the ringing sound that pounded into her ears and caused the headache to grow so much she thought her head would burst. The sun was up, and she patted with her hand to find her phone. As she fiddled with her fingers to shut off the alarm, she recalled the dream she’d had.

“Shit.” She dragged her hand down her face and stared into the wall.

Looking at her phone, panic soared through her.

Lola was already late for the day’s assembly. They had all been warned to be on time because today was when they received a new classmate.

Usually, people weren’t allowed to enroll this late into the semester, but for some reason, they had made an exception.

Lola pushed open the assembly doors, panting and heaving, and stumbled into the Aula. All heads turned to watch the latecomer.

“Lola, glad to see you made it. Did we not make it clear this entire week that we expected every student to be on time?”

She nervously looked around and licked her lips.

“You did, sir. I’m sorry, sir.”

“Take a seat.” Mr. Manor, the principal of Lilac University, returned to his well-planned speech on which he had worked the whole week.

“Allow me to introduce you all to your new schoolmate and, for some of you, your new classmate, Jax Blackwood.”

“I have no problem with that.” a girl muttered under her breath and narrowed her eyes hungrily.

“Hell no, he’s yummy,” some girls purred.

“Did he say Jax Blackwood?” another asked in shock, which gained him much attention.

“Yeah, why?”

“His dad has to be Michael Blackwood, the man who owns that big-ass house over by the lake. They’re not there often, but it’s like the most expensive house in town. I think they own businesses or something.”

Someone tapped on their phone and showed his picture.

“Is this him?” she asked and held a picture of Michael Blackwood.

“Michael Blackwood, a billionaire business mogul with business in hotels, casinos, and airports across the country. The well-versed business giant has expanded his empire internationally…” They stopped reading and stared in shock at each other. This time, when they looked back, Jax Blackwood was even more attractive than before considering he was the heir to that fortune.

Lola leaned down as usual, hunched in her seat not to be seen, but somehow, in the sea of people, Jax’s eyes found hers.

Dark-brown eyes that looked to hold many secrets, a face that didn’t reveal a single emotion, and a body that looked like a military-trained combat soldier.

“I do trust that you will all welcome him and help where help is needed. Jax is late to enroll with us, but there is no reason he shouldn’t be able to catch up with a little help.” Mr. Manor tapped Jax’s shoulder and smiled gratefully.

“Thank you, sir.” Jax walked with a straight back out of the auditorium with the eyes of both girls and guys following him out.

Everyone was quick up on their feet to walk to class and meet him. Lola, however, sat back and waited until everyone was gone before she picked up her bag and stood up from the seat. She waited another minute, having an idea of how long it took the students to reach the classrooms, and she stood up with a sigh. She took a moment to enjoy the silence before she turned around. A loud gasp escaped her lips, and her fear-stricken eyes stared straight into those dark brown orbs.

“You’re Lola,” he said as a fact and looked her up and down.

She didn’t answer at first. Her mind was too preoccupied with thinking about how close they were standing, and then her alarm bells went off when she remembered that nobody else was even close to the auditorium anymore.

He chewed down on a piece of gum, his jaw tensing with each bite, and he shrugged a soft shoulder. “Well?” he asked.

“I am.” Her brows hunched from confusion over how he knew her name, but he didn’t seem too bothered.

“I’m Jax. It’s nice to meet you.” He reached out his hand.

Lola was looking into his eyes, unaware of the hand held out for her to grab. She was contemplating whether or not to interact more with the strange guy; it hadn’t worked out well before, and she preferred to keep her head down.

“Likewise.” her hand nearly disappeared in his when he closed his fingers around her hand- two slow shakes before they stilled. Both stared into each other’s eyes. Lola focused on a black dot in his left eye to stay focused.

She pulled her hand back and nervously pulled her bag over her shoulder as she walked past him.

It was an odd interaction, but for her, it was nothing new. They had been after her once. She couldn’t trust that they wouldn’t be after her again so trusting people wasn't a luxury she could afford.

“Lola.”

She stopped and felt the shiver going down her back when he had called after her. She looked over her shoulder, glancing down at Jax’s arms as he moved through the seats. His shirt got caught in one of the headrests and lifted an inch- exposing his rippling muscles beneath.

Lola looked away the second she saw the shirt lifting, and she cursed herself for stopping for him. Jax stopped by the last row of chairs a few meters away from her. His eyes held hers captive. He must’ve known the effect he had; he must be used to it considering the way he used that gaze with an unbothered control.

“I’ll see you around,” he said with a low voice that made it sound not too welcoming.

Lola turned her head, the fear rising rapidly and her instincts telling her to run.

“I can’t believe how obsessed everyone has gotten! I mean, seriously, did you hear Lisa? She wants to marry the man,” Melissa boasted aloud as they walked to the café after school.

“Man?” Lola asked with a raised brow and a disbelieving expression.- Man was a little too much in her opinion. She was, however, glad that it had been three days since their interaction in the auditorium, and he hadn’t tried to talk to her again since.

“It’s all I hear in class, Jax, Jax, Jax…” Melissa said, bobbing her head mockingly to the side each time she said his name.

Lola opened the door and smirked at her friend while jokingly remarking, “Sounds like someone has a crush.”

Melissa scoffed and pretended to shiver from the idea.

“I’ll leave the crush to the bottle blondes who fantasize about marrying rich.” They laughed and walked into the café.

“Lola, thank God you’re here.” Ellen, Lola’s manager, let out a relieved breath the moment she saw her.

“I have to run out, so you’re on your own tonight. Is that okay?”

Lola shrugged a shoulder and looked around the venue. She could see four people, and Thursday nights were usually pretty calm. “No problem, you go,” she said.

“You’re an angel.” Ellen grabbed Lola’s arm and put the keys in her hand.

Melissa and Lola looked at each other. With a giggle, she went behind the desk and prepared for her shift.

It was only five o’clock, but the café began to fill faster than usual. Within minutes, every seat was taken.

Lola found it strange.

She made Melissa a cup of coffee while her friend studied, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling creeping in.

“Excuse me.” Lola turned her head and saw the couple standing cuddled up by the cashier.

“Yes?” she asked.

“When does the live music start?” the guy asked.

“I’m sorry, what live music?” she asked.

The girl pulled a flyer from her bag and handed it to Lola.

Live music, your favorite coffee, and your best friend by your side. What more could you want? Join us at the Wild Cliff Café on Thursday at 5:30 pm.

There was a picture of two guitars and a list of songs the artist would perform. Lola showed the flyer to Melissa, who looked equally as confused. There hadn’t been live music since she had started working there, and as she looked around the café, she wondered if they were all waiting for the music.

She glanced at the clock. It was twenty minutes to six, and people started throwing glares at the counter.

“Uhm, I’m sorry, I just have to make a phone call,” Lola said with a wrinkle forming between her brows from the worry that arose.

Just as Lola was about to grab her phone and call Ellen, the door opened, and a man came in with a black hoodie and blue jeans. He carried a guitar case in one hand and a duffel bag in the other.

“Sorry we’re late. The music will start soon,” he said and walked to the far end wall as everyone started moving in closer. He hadn’t turned to greet or acknowledge Lola, so she couldn’t see who had come in.

He gestured for a chair by a group of friends, and they were glad to let him take it. He put the case on the floor, kneeled down, and pulled the hood from his head. As he lifted the guitar and turned to face everyone, his eyes immediately landed on Lola.

A dark smirk shadowed his lips as he gently bowed his head in a greeting.

“Lola, do you know him?” Melissa asked and looked confusedly at her friend, who had never mentioned any dark, handsome stranger.

“No, but I think…” She narrowed her eyes and tried to remember where she had seen him before.

It slowly dawned on her that she didn’t know him, but they had met when he had come into the café with his two friends a few days ago. However, where were the other two—the one who had thanked her? His face was still very much on her mind, and he had been kind with an intense burning gaze that caused her to forget how to breathe. Where was he?

“Are you okay?” Melissa asked.

The couple had gone to take their seats.

Lola nodded. “Yeah, sure,” she said and leaned her head to the side.

He set up the microphone, tuned his guitar strings, and started playing. Everyone leaned back when he started to sing, his voice dark but smooth all at once and beautifully taking all the lower notes.

Every now and then, his eyes looked away from the crowd and locked on Lola’s with an intensity that made her shiver.

Everyone clapped their hands after he sang his last song, but they didn’t want it to end and incited him to play another.

Lola looked at her friend, who was joining the crowd’s euphoric cheers. She, too, screamed for another song. Her phone started ringing on the counter, and she smiled as she tore her gaze away from Melissa.

Ellen’s name lit up on the screen, and she took it to her ear.

“Hi, how is everything going? I felt so bad for leaving you alone like that,” she said.

“No, it’s fine, but next time, maybe give me a warning when you’ve planned a live music event.” Lola laughed. The line fell silent for a second. And all she heard were Ellen’s breaths.

“I didn’t approve of any live music. Haven’t even had any requests. Is that what I’m hearing in the background?” she asked.

“Yeah, there were flyers put up around town. If you didn’t do that, then who…” Her heart stopped, and her blood cooled.

“Shh, just do as I say,” his a dark voice said from behind her.

She recognized that voice, and her mind remembered it immediately.

“Thank you for the coffee.”

It was the man who was here with his friends the other day. The handsome stranger who looked like a model- and he was back, standing behind her.

“Lola? Are you there? It wasn’t me, but hell, it’s good for business, so just go with it. Let me know if you need any help, and I’ll try to come in.”

His body was pressing her into the counter. His fingers snaked around her waist, and he leaned his lips to her ear. “Tell her it’s fine, and she shouldn’t come,” he whispered.

“Hello?” Ellen asked.

“It’s fine. Everything here is good. No need for you to come in,” Layla said, trying to control the shake in her voice.

“Ah, my favorite words! See you tomorrow, honeybee.” The call ended.

Lola slowly lowered the phone from her ear. He brushed her hair back from her neck, his fingers caressing her cold skin.

“Good girl.”