18+ !! BOOK 1 Iris's life was far from perfect, but she had the apartment, the car, the best friend, the good job, a "normal" life, until Knox. One dangerous man. One unraveling relationship. And a pull she knows she shouldn't follow... but can't resist. --------------------------------- "I... I didn't know. I just followed the texts. I thought it was you." He ran a hand through his hair, jaw tight. "Damn it. I should have known she'd be brazen enough to do something like that. Iris... you have to be careful. She's not playing around. She's dangerous." I swallowed, trying to steady my racing heart. "I... I just didn't want to get hurt-or get you involved." Knox's dark eyes softened for just a flicker, then hardened again. "You're already involved, whether you want to be or not. And now I have to fix this. Stay out of her way. Understood?" I nodded, feeling the weight of the situation settle on me. "Understood." Knox's gaze lingered on the girls he was just sitting with in the corner of the bar, "Iris," he said quietly, tone low but firm, making eye contact with me, "don't let her touch you again. Not for a second." I swallowed hard, my pulse still racing, and realized just how serious things had gotten-and how much danger Maya posed. I was still catching my breath, heart racing from the alley revelation, when the bar doors swung open again. And there she was. Maya. She sauntered in like she owned the place, hips swaying, eyes scanning the room. Her lips curved into that infuriating, knowing smirk-the same one I'd glimpsed in the alley.