I traded one monster for another but this one kisses my wounds before he breaks me.

——

Lily’s POV

“Get the hell away from my wife!”

The voice split the night like a whip.

I flinched, my pulse spiking, and spun toward the sound—already knowing who it was. Alex. Storming across the driveway like a thunderclap in human form. Rage stitched into every line of this perfect, maddening face, but it was the claim in his voice—my wife, that seared itself into my skin.

“Alex!” My voice cracked as he lunged forward. His fist collided with Martin’s face, hard and brutal.

Martin stumbled backward, blood streaking from his nose. “Jesus—Chill...