Chapter 32
BELLA
Rosethorne Mansion - Wexley University
Cade just left. My sheets still smell like cedar and ink and for once, the quiet isn’t heavy. It’s soft, almost peaceful. But peace never lasts long around here. I stare at my phone. The screen glows back at me, taunting.
@LucaWasHere
You’re playing with fire, Izzy, it’s true.
The painter. The parties. Your polished new crew.
I don’t bend and I don’t break.
Touch what’s mine? That’s your last mistake.
I heard your cries. I watched you come.
Pretty little gasps, each one made me numb.
Not from pain, but something worse.
A rage that comes with every curse.
You bled for him, you gave him more,
So now I’m kicking down the door.
Your painter’s sweet, all charm and art,
But I know how to pull you apart.
He paints in red? I’ll give him shades,
Of broken bones and unmarked graves.
His hands, his smile, his fucking voice,
Gone, because you made the choice.
The door swings open and Ellie waltzes in wearing a pink silk robe, vanilla iced coffee in hand.
“Ok seriously,” she groans. “next time you decide to fuck my brother, please send out a warning so I can book a hotel. Or a priest. Or both.”
I shoot her a look but I’m not biting.
She pauses mid-dramatic-sip. “Wait, hey. I’m kidding. I mean, not about the warning—I definitely don’t want to hear that—but you know I totally ship you and Cade together.”
She softens. “What’s up?”
I don’t say anything. I just tilt the screen toward her.
She sets her cup down fast. “Again? Okay, what the actual fuck! Who is this guy and why the hell can’t you find him?”
“I don’t know,” I mutter. “I’ve tried. Knox has tried. Nate’s tried. No luck. Whoever this creep is, he’s good.”
Ellie sinks onto the bed beside me, eyes still glued to the screen. “And he’s watching you. Like… watching watching. But from where? Mommy and daddy’s basement?”
“Probably. Ugh, internet creeps I swear!” I say as I start typing.
Ellie’s eyes go wide. “Wait, what are you doing?”
“Messaging him,” I say, fingers flying. “If this poet wants to play, fine. Let’s play.”
@BellaBlackwood
Ok fucker. You got my attention.
What do you want?
Ellie’s eyebrows launch halfway up her forehead. “Babe, are you sure about this?”
“I literally have a criminal empire working for me. I shouldn’t be scared of some creep probably hiding in his parents’ basement just like you said.”
@LucaWasHere
Got your attention, didn’t I, pet?
You’re a habit I’ll never forget.
You know what I want, it’s always been you.
So here’s your warning, I always break through.
Mind, body, soul—you gave him a taste.
Now I’ll take mine, no time to waste.
Touch what’s mine? I’ll snap him in two.
You bleed for me. You always do.
Your pretty lies, your sweet facade,
Won’t save the boy from what I’ve clawed.
He smiles. He paints. He doesn’t see,
But I’ll be there when you choose me.
@BellaBlackwood
Gross. I’m taken. Plus, I’d rather fuck a cactus.
“At least make it a spiky one, let him feel the rejection babe,” Ellie laughs.
@LucaWasHere
That’ll change. You’ll beg me soon.
You’ll break beneath a colder moon.
You’re mine. For you’ve always been.
And no white knight’s going to save you from sin.
@BellaBlackwood
I don’t trust creeps who rhyme like failed poets.
And I sure as hell won’t be yours, so choke on it.
@LucaWasHere
I see it all, Izzy, every blink.
Every breath you take, every time you sink.
I’m in the walls. I’m in your head.
Each scream you bite before you’re in bed.
And that little artist who plays your shield?
One slip, baby girl, he’ll be the next to yield.
He paints in light, but I deal in shade.
One crack, one twitch, and he’ll be unmade.
@BellaBlackwood
Then enjoy the fucking show while you can.
Threaten Cade again and I’m coming for you.
“Ok, that’s enough,” Ellie snaps, grabbing the phone out of my hands like it’s about to explode. “This guy gives me the ick on a soul level.”
I lean back, breathing hard. “I’m meeting Lex soon.”
Ellie blinks. “So?”
“So, I think I need you and Haley to come.”
She recoils. “You want me and Haley to go on a date with you, my brother, and Lex? Sounds like a party, but no thanks.”
“Not a date,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Fight Night. I’m meeting Lex there and I want backup.”
Ellie narrows her eyes. “You want me and Haley to roll into an underground fight club full of sweaty Titans, Bratva princes, and testosterone-fueled chaos as backup?”
I nod.
She exhales dramatically. “Ugh. Fine. But only because Haley’s dying to wear those new boots and I heard that The Revenants perform. It’ll be good to see what they’re dancing to before Regionals. Oooh… did you know that Madison Rae Holloway apparently has a thing for Lex?”
Madison Rae Holloway. Tall, blonde, total Barbie prototype, Cal would love her.
She’s the leader of The Revenants, Northvale’s version of The Trifecta.
Big tits, no rhythm, and a bitch streak a mile wide.
They’ve got a whole Northvale Legacy team, but honestly?
We don’t even bother learning their names.
Our rivalry with them runs thick, especially after that one Halloween when they tried to crash The Row party by throwing fake blood down from the rafters full on Carrie style. Let’s just say, it didn’t end well for them.
“Oh, Maddie Rae,” I mutter, rolling my eyes so hard they practically click.
Ellie arches a brow.
“El, I have an idea,” I say, already reaching for my phone.
“Oh no,” she whines, dropping her head back. “You’ve got that look.”
“What look?” I ask.
“The kind of look that means you have a crazy plan. The kind that usually ends with shots.”
“Gunshots or tequila shots?”
She shrugs. “We really never know.”
ME: Hey, how fast can you make me a top or three?
RICO: For you chica, give me an hour or two. What’s the fantasy?
ME: Something spicy… Fight night legends meets your dirty little mind?
RICO: Oh yes babe! I’m on it!!!
I smirk, but inside I’m already calculating. The countdown to Fight Night has officially begun. And Luca wants a show? Good. Let’s give him one. What the hell, Maddie Rae too.
ME: Hey babe. So… I need you to do something for me.
CADE: Anything sweetheart.
ME: Other than Lex, do you have any contacts at the pit?
CADE: His cousin Damien. Why?
ME: Because I have an idea I need to run by you. Do you think you can come back to Rosethorne after your classes?