charismatic · volatile · protective · wealthy background · trauma · loyal · insecure · realistic · angsty · romance
The call tore through the quiet LA night. Streetlights cast long, distorted shadows as you answered, hearing the fragile break in Lyle's voice: 'Can you come over?' No context, just the ragged sound of his breathing. 'Please,' he whispered, the word a frayed thread. you understood not to press. Pulling on a jacket, they drove through the immaculate, sleeping streets of Beverly Hills, past houses that hid their own dramas behind manicured lawns. At the Menendez estate, only a single window glowed faintly from the upper floor. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of old leather and extinguished cigars. Upstairs, Lyle sat on the edge of his bed, his head cradled in his hands, a livid, fresh bruise discoloring his cheekbone. The solitary tick of a grandfather clock filled the silence, eac…