EVERESTS POV:

The moment I stepped through the doors of the club, the steady pulse of the bass hit me, vibrating through my chest. The lights were dim, flashing in bursts across the crowd, and the familiar hum of laughter and conversation filled the air. But I wasn't here for the music or the scene. I was here for her.

Avery.

I spotted her almost instantly, sitting at the bar with a drink in her hand. She was leaning against the counter, her posture relaxed, but I could see the weariness in her eyes even from across the room. Her smile was there—bright, warm—but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Not like it usually did.

My chest tightened. She had just gotten back from the hospital by her grandfather's side. I knew how much he meant to her, and I also knew how hard it had been for her to see him like that. But Avery was tough. She always put on a brave face, even when she was hurting.

I made my way through the crowd, my eyes never leaving her. When I reached her, I touched her arm lightly. "Hey," I said softly.

Her head turned, and when her gaze met mine, her face lit up, a flicker of real warmth breaking through. "Everest," she said, her voice softer than usual but steady. Her smile was genuine, even if a little tired.

I gave her a small smile, my eyes scanning her face. She looked... okay. Maybe a little flushed from the drink in her hand, but nowhere near the mess I had feared. "How are you holding up?"

Her lips curved into a softer, more vulnerable smile. "I'm... okay," she said, her voice trailing off as her eyes flickered downward for a moment. "Just... needed a little distraction tonight."

I nodded, understanding immediately. "Yeah, I get that." I glanced at the drink in her hand—half-finished. "Having fun?"

She shrugged, her smile turning playful. "Trying to."

"Mind if I join you?" I asked, leaning in a little closer so she could hear me over the music.

Her expression softened, and she nodded. "I'd like that."

I slid onto the stool next to her, but my focus stayed on her. I could tell she was trying to put on a brave face, but I knew her well enough to see the exhaustion beneath it. She was keeping it together, but barely.

We cornered the Devil's Blood at their so-called club—not that it was much of a club. Just a run-no down, abandoned bar on the outskirts of town, barely standing and reeking of stale beer and desperation. We weren't there for the atmosphere, though. We were looking for Logan.

Not that I was surprised when he wasn't there.

It didn't take much to get it out of them that they weren't hiding him. They swore up and down they had no idea where he was. Maybe some of them didn't. But I was sure someone in that group knew something. The problem was, they were all too stoned and cracked out of their minds to remember what day it was, let alone where Logan might be.

It wasn't even funny. Watching them stumble over their words, eyes glazed and barely focused—it was pathetic. Half the time, I wondered if they even knew what they were doing anymore. And honestly? The ones we'd put down over the past few months... we'd probably done them a favor.

Avery shifted, tilting her head to look up at me. "Everest?"

"Yeah?" I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, my touch light but intentional.

Her eyes searched mine, her expression softer now. "Why do you always know exactly what I need... even when I don't?"

I smiled, but it was gentle, almost wistful. "Because I know you, Ava. I see you." I paused, my fingers brushing lightly against her jaw. "Even when you're trying to hide how much it hurts."

Her eyes glistened, but she didn't look away. Instead, she leaned into my touch, her hand resting on my chest, right over my heart.

"You make it easier," she whispered, her voice barely above the silence between us.

I kissed her slow this time, as if I was trying to tell her everything I couldn't put into words. When I pulled back, I rested my forehead against hers.

"Whatever you need... I'm here."

Her lips brushed against mine, her response barely a breath. "I know."

And in that moment, I knew this wasn't just about taking her mind off everything. It was about showing her that she didn't have to carry it alone.

"Come with me," she whispered in my ear, her voice soft but laced with something more—something unspoken.

Avery slid off the barstool a little too quickly, her grip tightening around my arm to steady herself. She wasn't stumbling, but I could tell the alcohol was hitting her just enough to make her movements a looser. I stared at her for a moment, searching her eyes, but all I saw was... her. Trust. Want.

I didn't hesitate. I threw back the rest of my drink, the burn barely registering as I set the glass down and followed her.

Her fingers stayed laced with mine as she guided us down the dim hallway, her pace slowing slightly the further we went. She stopped in front of a familiar door—one I hadn't stepped inside in a while.

My old room.

The space was Austin's now, but I knew he hadn't been around much lately. He'd been spending more time with Brooke, trying to mend the relationship he should've fought for a long time ago. I'd always known how he felt about her, even if he refused to admit it. Austin had a habit of overthinking everything, convincing himself that stepping aside was the best thing for her. He didn't want to be a roadblock in her life—never wanted to hold her back from college, her career... her future.

But I knew my brother. He'd always been in love with her. And no matter how many mixed signals he gave her over the years, that never changed.

The moment the door clicked shut, Avery didn't hesitate. She spun around so fast that I barely had time to react before her lips crashed into mine.

This wasn't soft or hesitant—it was raw, urgent, and filled with something deeper. Her hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as her body pressed against mine. I stumbled back slightly, but my arms were already around her, steadying her as I kissed her back with just as much hunger.

Her lips moved against mine, her breath hot and uneven as if she'd been holding this in for too long. I felt her desperation in the way she clung to me, her fingers trailing down my neck and tugging at the hem of my shirt.

"Ava..." I murmured between kisses, my voice rough and strained, but she didn't give me a chance to say anything else.

"Don't," she whispered against my lips, her tone breathless and full of need. "Just... I need this, Everest."

••••••••••••••••••••

AVERYS POV:

He backed me up slowly, his hands on my waist, until the back of my legs hit the edge of the bed. But I didn't stop—I didn't want to. My body pressed against his, and I could feel the heat radiating between us, making it impossible to think about anything else.

His hands found the hem of my scrub bottoms ripping them off and, sliding it up my thighs as he pulled me closer, molding me perfectly against him. A gasp escaped my lips, and my fingers instinctively dug into his back, anchoring myself to him.

I needed him. Needed to feel his closeness, to know that this moment wasn't just about passion but about something deeper. Something real. My body pressed against his as I kissed him again, slower this time, with the kind of tenderness that made everything feel like it was falling into place.

His hands moved carefully, exploring every curve, every line, as if memorizing the feel of me. It wasn't just his body that I wanted—though that part of him was everything—it was his heart. His soul. The way he made me feel understood, even in the darkest parts of myself.

I could feel myself succumbing to the pleasure as I moved with him, his fingers guiding me toward my release. "Sin..." I whine, my focus narrowing to the intense pressure building within me. "Cum for me baby." his voice, deep and husky, murmured with authority, and that single command was all I needed. In that moment, everything came crashing down, overwhelming me with an undeniable wave of release.

He didn't hesitate, swiftly flipping me over on the bed and positioning himself above me. I glanced down, realizing he had already removed his pants, and before I could process it, he entered me. The sudden intensity of it caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but let out a scream, overwhelmed by the sensation.

The feeling was almost too much, and I found myself gripping the sheets beneath me, trying to steady myself as he moved with a deliberate, steady rhythm. Every motion was a perfect blend of passion and control, making me feel both lost in the moment and deeply connected to him. His hands, firm on my hips, guided me with a sense of care, as if he was mindful of every part of me, every inch of our closeness.

My breath caught in my throat, the sensation overwhelming, but there was something else there too—a tenderness that made the intensity of the moment feel safe, secure. His movements slowed for a moment, just enough for our eyes to meet. In that brief pause, I could see the intensity reflected in his gaze, the depth of his desire.

"I love you, Avery," he whispered just before pressing his lips to mine. The urgency in his kiss matched the rapid rhythm of his movements as he quickened his pace, fucking me into a whirlwind of sensation. The music outside blared loudly enough to drown out any sound, but in that moment, I couldn't care less.

All the emotions that had been building up—the stress, the weight of everything—seemed to melt away with each breath, each touch. It felt as if a release I'd been needing for so long was finally happening, and nothing else in the world mattered.

As our bodies moved together, every touch, every breath, felt like it was building toward something that I couldn't escape. His lips were on mine, urgent and passionate, and his hands gripped my hips with a perfect mix of control and tenderness. Each thrust was measured but relentless, sending waves of pleasure through me that left me breathless. My mind was hazy, consumed by the feeling of him inside me, his presence surrounding me completely.

The pressure inside me built with each passing second, until I felt like I couldn't hold on any longer. "Avery..." His voice was thick with desire, and I couldn't help but respond, my breath catching in my throat.

"Sin... please..." I gasped, the pressure building within me, feeling the connection between us so deep, so intense, I thought I might shatter under its weight.

He moaned low, pulling me closer, his lips trailing along my neck as he continued to move, his body pressing into mine in a steady rhythm. I felt the tension building, the air thick with the need for release, and I couldn't stop myself from giving in.

"Don't stop... please..." I begged, my hands clinging to him as he brought me to the edge, the sounds of our bodies meeting growing louder with every second.

The pressure inside me built with each passing second, until I felt like I couldn't hold on any longer. My body tightened around him, and the flood of pleasure came crashing down in a wave so powerful I couldn't help but cry out, my hands gripping his shoulders as I surrendered to the sensation.

He didn't stop, but his pace slowed, each movement becoming more deliberate, drawing out the feeling until I thought I couldn't take it anymore. With one final, deep thrust, he followed me over the edge, his body tensing as he found his release. We held each other tightly, the world outside forgotten, as we both caught our breath, still tangled in the aftershocks of everything we'd just shared.

We collapsed together, the heat of our bodies slowly fading into a comfortable warmth. My head rested on his chest, his arms wrapped around me protectively, and we lay there in silence, letting the intensity of the moment sink in. It felt like the rest of the world had faded away, and there was only the soft rhythm of our breathing to remind us we were still here, together.

"I love you too," I whisper, my voice barely a breath as I look up at him. His eyes are closed, but I can see the subtle tension in his face, the way his features tighten as he tries to control the emotions breaking through.

For a moment, everything feels suspended in time. The quiet of the room surrounds us, and all I can focus on is him—his chest rising and falling with each breath, the vulnerability that lingers in the silence between us.

A knock at the door jolts me, my head snapping toward it, my heart racing as I quickly sit up. I scramble for a shirt, tossing his over my body in a frantic motion. The tension is palpable as I hear the voice from the other side.

"Uh, hey boss, we got a problem," someone says, and I watch as Everest sits up with a sigh, clearly not pleased by the interruption. His expression shifts, the weight of whatever's happening outside the door evident in his features.

I wrap my arms around my body, suddenly aware of the shift in the room. The warmth from before has started to fade, and the haze from the alcohol and the rush of the moment is gone. I feel more sober now, the reality of everything settling back in as the adrenaline from earlier fades. My gaze flickers to Everest, wondering what the problem is.

"Stay here, I'll be back for you, and we'll go home," Everest says, his voice low but firm as he pulls on his jeans and boots. He leans down to kiss the top of my head, wrapping me in his arms for a moment, the warmth of him settling into me before he pulls away. That warmth fades instantly as he opens the door.

I sit there for a second, the quiet of the room making the absence of his presence more apparent. A wave of emptiness washes over me as I feel the distance grow between us.

Unable to resist, I peek my head around the corner, and my gaze immediately meets a prospect in the hallway. As soon as our eyes lock, he quickly lowers his head, clearly uncomfortable. Everest notices the exchange and steps forward, his hand gripping the door and pulling it shut behind him, leaving me in the quiet once again. I always know that when Everest says he'll be back soon, it's more like hours before he returns or sometimes, he just forgets about me entirely. When it's just the two of us at home, he's Everest—the man I love, the one who makes everything feel easy and light, especially when we're at the beach. But here, and anywhere near the club, he shifts into Sin, and he can switch between the two personas with such ease that it feels like they're two sides of the same person.

I gather up my clothes, folding them carefully and placing them on the bed. The room feels strange—like a mix of intimacy and tension—especially considering we just had sex on Austin's bed. I can't help but feel the weight of it all.

I head into the bathroom, brushing through my hair and throwing it up into a messy bun, trying to shake off the lingering haze from earlier. I splash cold water on my face, the chill helping to clear my head, and then rummage through Austin's closet, finding a pair of sweatpants. I roll the waistband so they fit a little better, but they still hang a bit too low on my hips.

As I stand in front of the mirror, I can't help but let my mind wander back to my grandfather. I pull out my phone, typing a quick text to my aunt to check on how he's doing. It feels like the weight of everything—my emotions, my family, Everest—are all pressing on me at once. I need to know he's okay.

I take one last glance around the room, the soft echo of the door shutting behind me as I step out into the hallway. The weight of the silence settles around me as I make my way back toward the bar, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses growing louder the closer I get.

As I round the corner, I stop short, my breath catching when I spot my aunt. Her face is pale, her eyes wide with worry, and she's pacing back and forth, hands wringing nervously. The moment she sees me, her frantic energy shifts, and she rushes toward me.

"Avery!" My aunt's voice trembles, and I freeze, my heart skipping a beat. I immediately go to her, my eyes wide with worry. "Hey, I just texted you. Is everything okay? Is Poppy—"

She cuts me off, grabbing my arm tightly and pulling me into the hallway. Her grip is firm, but I can feel the desperation in her touch. "We need to talk, Avery," she says, her voice rushed and blunt, but there's a rawness in it that shakes me. It's like she's holding something back, something she doesn't want to let spill over.

I glance back toward the bar, where I catch Bonnie and Tequila watching me with concerned expressions. But before I can process much else, my aunt pulls me further down the hall, out of their sight, my mind racing with every step. What could be so urgent? What's happened to Poppy?

My stomach churns, and I feel a cold sweat forming on my palms as my thoughts spiral. She pulls me into Ghosts room as it was probably the only place in the club that she remembered.

She lets go of my arm and starts pacing back and forth in the room, her movements erratic, as if she's trying to outrun the fear gnawing at her. I instinctively take a step toward her, wanting to comfort her, but she holds up her hands, stopping me in my tracks. It's as though she's furious, like she's fed up with everything. I can feel my frown deepen, my worry only growing.

"Just sit, okay?" she says, her voice edged with frustration.

I do as she says, sitting on the edge of the bed, my mind spinning in a thousand directions. What could possibly be so bad? My chest tightens, and my heart races. A million thoughts assault my mind, none of them good.

"Oh god, is Poppy dead—" I start, the question slipping out before I can stop myself.

She cuts me off again, groaning in frustration, and stops pacing. She rushes toward me, dropping to her knees in front of me, grabbing both my hands with hers. Her touch is urgent, almost desperate. I can feel the tremble in her fingers as she locks eyes with me.

"Avery, just listen to me, okay?" she pleads, her voice soft yet filled with an intensity that pulls at my heart. She waits, watching me for a moment, like she needs me to agree before she continues. I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes, my heart breaking at the sight of her like this. She's always been the calm one, the one who kept it together when things got tough. My mom, on the other hand, was the one who would lose her cool over the smallest things.

"I've never seen you like this," I whisper, the words barely escaping my throat.

She takes a shaky breath, her eyes not leaving mine. "Poppy is fine, Avery. But we don't know how long that's going to last. We can't just sit around here, waiting like sitting ducks, doing nothing."

I try to wrap my head around what she's saying, but I can't. The confusion clouds my thoughts, and I search her face for some kind of clarity.

"We love you, I love you. We are your family, and we'll always be your family. None of this is your fault, Avery. I want you to remember that." She looks at me, waiting for me to say something, but the lump in my throat is too big, and the tears start to fall freely.

"Listen, we can't stay here," she continues, her voice trembling with determination. "I'm taking my parents to Texas. I know people there, and I can move my practice. Gary's been more than willing to help us, make some calls, and so have I." She stands up, her eyes filled with resolve. Without thinking, I stand up with her, desperate for some answers.

Her words hit me hard, and my heart skips a beat. She said my parents instead of Nana and Poppy. But I can't focus on that right now. "I'm sorry," I say, my voice shaking. "I—I just don't know what you're trying to tell me. You're leaving?"

"Avery, there are people after you," she says, her voice frantic now, every word more urgent than the last. "I don't know what happened in New York, or why this guy—your husband, or whoever he is—has it out for you, but I'm not going to sit around and wait until one of us ends up dead."

My stomach drops, and a chill runs through me. "What... what do you mean? What happened?"

She swallows hard, tears spilling from her eyes. "I didn't get in a car accident, Avery. Those Devil's Blood guys... that guy came to my office. They trashed it, tore everything apart, and left me there, for dead." She sobs now, her body shaking with the force of it, and I feel the floodgates open as the tears fall from my eyes too. The weight of it all is suffocating.

I'm frozen for a moment, my mind struggling to make sense of what she's saying. "Wh-what?" I stutter, my voice cracking as I try to grasp the magnitude of her words.

"I never knew it had gotten this bad," I whisper to myself. I never knew he would go this far... go after my family like this. I blink rapidly, my chest tightening as I realize Everest has kept me in the dark.

Why didn't he tell me? Why did he keep me unaware of everything?

"We thought you going to New York was going to be the best thing for you," she snaps, her words laced with bitterness. "But clearly, my sister can never do anything right." She scoffs, her anger radiating off her in waves, and I can tell she's referring to my aunt Marlyn.

Marlyn had always been the outcast, never really blending with the rest of the family. When I lived with her, she'd never talk about anyone from Locus—like we, her family, were nothing to her. It was always a strange, uncomfortable silence about the people I knew best.

I swallow hard, trying to hold onto the pieces of myself as she continues to vent, her voice growing louder.

"Nana and Poppy deserve to live a long life without worrying about any more of their children dying, Avery!" She practically yells now, her face flushed with frustration.

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I gasp for air, feeling a sudden tightness in my chest. My heart races as the room seems to close in around me. I clutch my chest, my fingers trembling with the effort to steady myself. I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the pain to subside, but it only intensifies. My breaths come in shallow gasps, and my vision starts to blur as I struggle to keep myself together.

I can feel my body fighting against me, the sobs building up like a tidal wave ready to break. The weight of everything—of what she's said, of what I've been through—feels like it might swallow me whole, and I fight against it, pushing through the overwhelming urge to collapse.

I need to breathe, I need to stay strong for them, for Poppy and Nana, but it's like the world is crashing down around me.

Teagan's frantic pacing slows, and I feel her hands shaking as she reaches out to grab me by the shoulders. Her grip is tight, like she's trying to hold me together, but I can't shake the feeling that she's falling apart too. Her face is wet with tears, and for the first time, I see her as vulnerable as I feel.

"I'm sorry," she whispers, her voice breaking. "I'm just so scared, Avery. This is too much. I can't lose anyone else."

The tears flood my eyes again, and I nod, feeling like everything I've known is slipping through my fingers. The weight of her words hits me like a ton of bricks. It's not just about me anymore—it's about everyone I love, everyone I've been trying to protect.

I take a step back as Teagan wipes her eyes, her breathing ragged as she tries to pull herself together. "I'm leaving. I have to go take care of this. I'll call you, alright? We'll figure this out, I promise." Her words are rushed, and I can hear the desperation in them. She looks at me one last time before turning toward the door.

My heart aches as she leaves, the door clicking shut behind her.

Just as the silence sets in, the door bursts open again. Everest storms in, his eyes wide and frantic, his presence like a sudden gust of wind—powerful and impossible to ignore.

"Avery?" His voice cracks as he steps into the room, his gaze immediately locking onto mine.

I don't have to say anything—he can see the tears on my face, the way my body is still trembling. He steps forward quickly, wrapping me in his arms, and I lean into him, burying my face against his chest.

"I'm here," he murmurs, his voice rough. "I'm not going anywhere."

But even as he says the words, I know things are about to change. We're not safe. I'm not safe. And no matter how hard he tries to protect me, I can feel the storm that's coming.