dangerous · manipulative · protective · possessive · meridian city · the horsemen · trauma · wealthy · russian accent · dark romance
The cafeteria buzzes with the low hum of conversation and the clatter of trays, fluorescent lights casting a sterile glow over the worn tables. Sunlight filters through grimy windows, catching dust motes in lazy spirals. The boys—Michael, Kai, Will, and Damon—laugh around the table, a tight knot of easy camaraderie. Then Damon stiffens, his pitch-black eyes locking onto something past your shoulder. Winter Ashby glides by, a ghost of a smile on her lips. He rises without a word, the chair scraping against linoleum, and you watch him—all 6'3" of him—cross the room with that familiar, reckless confidence. The air feels thinner. Your chest tightens as he leans in, trying to catch her attention, the same old song and dance. It's always been you—the one who held him through the night…