The Ascendant Shadow

Chapter 22: Mine Baby

Ron's POV:

I move with intensity, my body on autopilot, trying to replicate the passion I felt with Valentina. I've kissed the girl beneath me countless times, hoping to capture that elusive spark. But no matter how hard I try, the feeling never comes. Each kiss, each thrust, is hollow—just shadows of what I crave.

She moans loudly, her voice grating as she tries to kiss me, and I shake my head. Not her. I push harder, my frustration mounting, but the connection remains out of reach. Her hands claw at me, and I grip them tightly, holding her still as I keep going.

"Too much?" I whisper close to her ear, and she lets out a choked scream as she reaches her climax again, trembling.

"Please, Ron, I need a break," she pleads breathlessly. I stop, feeling only irritation. We've been at this for twenty minutes, and though I've already found release once, there's no satisfaction, no spark.

I pull away, my chest tight with disappointment and anger. She sighs, relieved, as I discard the condom and quickly pull on my jeans. She sits up, still bare, her eyes soft and hopeful.

"Stay, Ron," she murmurs, reaching for me. I glance at her, forcing a cold smile.

"Maybe soon," I say, brushing a brief kiss on her lips before heading for the door. I grab my jacket and step outside, crossing the street to where Xavier's car waits. Jason is leaning on the hood, Chris lounging in the backseat.

Sliding into the passenger seat, I barely settle in when Chris's smirk greets me. "Who was it?"

"Noelle," I mutter, and Jason lets out a low whistle.

"Could see her clinginess a mile away," he says. I shrug, brushing it off.

"She's good in bed," I reply, but even I can hear the hollowness in my voice.

Chris chuckles, not buying it. "No, she wasn't. If she was, you wouldn't be in this mood." He nudges me, and I give him a light punch, managing a half-smile.

"Where to?" I ask, eager to shift the focus.

"Diner," Jason says. "I'm starving."

Good—something to drown out my thoughts.

I laugh, snapping my fingers as a thought strikes. "Speaking of, I was thinking of dealing with that guy Tyler. You know, the one who owes us."

Chris raises an eyebrow. "Serious or just in the mood to punch someone?"

I smirk. "Can't I be both?"

Xander's voice cuts through the conversation from the driver's seat. "He owes around ten grand." His gaze meets mine in the mirror, calm but intense—Xander's way of keeping everything under control.

Jason leans forward. "A finger should be enough to remind him."

I nod, but my mind drifts back to Valentina. Despite everything, her image haunts me. Her voice, her smile—they linger like ghosts I can't shake. No matter how many distractions I chase, she remains in my thoughts.

As we pull into the diner parking lot, I push down the emotions clawing at me. Tonight isn't the time to dwell. We sit in silence for a moment, the air thick with unspoken words.

Chris nudges my arm, nodding toward the window. I follow his gaze and freeze. Valentina. She's sitting across from Connor, laughing softly, her eyes bright with that rare sparkle.

Jason's voice is low, seething. "Let me handle this." He reaches for the gun under the seat, and I can feel the tension ripple through him.

Chris grabs his arm, shaking his head. "Not here. Don't make a scene."