Author’s POV

The car pulled up to the club’s entrance, its neon lights glowing vibrantly against the dark night. Ava exhaled slowly as she stepped out of the vehicle. The sound of music pulsed faintly through the building’s thick walls, like a heartbeat drawing her into the escape she sought.

Before she could even take a step, Mason was at her side, moving as though he’d been waiting for this moment. His hand snaked gently around her waist, pulling her closer with a casual confidence that felt too familiar. For a brief moment, Ava’s body tensed.

It wasn’t Orion’s hand.

The realization struck her like a whisper against her mind—unwelcome...