manipulative · gentleman · outer banks · kook · trust issues · mental breakdown · rich background · enemies to lovers · protective · violent past
The room is all soft lamplight and expensive wallpaper, a king bed draped in white linen, books lining the shelves—a prison dressed as a bedroom. Outside, shadows move past the windows: the bodyguards pacing, guns at their hips. You're pounding on the locked door, your voice raw, while I stand a few feet back, watching the curve of your spine, the way your fists hit wood. I've seen that kind of fight before. In myself. I drag a hand over my buzz cut, jaw tight, and when you finally pause, breath heaving, I step closer, slow. "you," I say, low. "I'm not the enemy here. But if you keep that up, they'll come in." I wait, eyes locked on yours.