Page 19 of Anton

I clenched my teeth, fighting to keep my composure. “You can be my friend, but you can’t keep acting like this is more unless you’re prepared to make it more. Like I said, you either want me, or you don’t. Life is for living, Anton, and if you can’t commit, then I need to try to move on.”

The words caught in my throat, tears threatening to spill. Desperate to escape before they betrayed me, I turned away. But Anton stepped forward, closing the distance between us. His voice dropped to a whisper, ragged and urgent. “Please, just hear me out. I don’t want you with anyone else. It scares me. I can’t lose you.”

I shook my head, anger and something softer battling within me. His words sparked a flicker of hope, but I couldn’t let it grow unchecked. “Then stop running from me. Tell me what you want.”

His gaze softened, his mouth opening as if to speak, but no words came. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, the weight of it pressing on my chest.

“Well?” I demanded, my voice shaking with rage and desperation. “What do you want, Anton?”

He swallowed, his eyes searching mine, but still, he said nothing. His silence told me everything.

Bitterness surged, extinguishing the last flicker of hope. “You want to know what I want?” My voice was low, trembling with quiet fury. “I want someone who knows what they want and isn’t afraid to claim it. I’m done waiting for you to decide if I’m worth it.”

I turned on my heel, anger propelling me into the cool night air. The chill bit at my skin, but it did nothing to ease the turmoil roiling inside me. I drew a deep breath, desperate to steady myself, yet the confusion and hurt clung to me like a second shadow. I wasn’t sure what scared me more—leaving him behind, or the part of me that still, despite everything, wanted to stay.

CHAPTER 8

ANTON

THAT SAME NIGHT – TAKEN

“Just let her go, Anton,” Derrick said, his eyes narrowing, frustration etched into the tense set of his jaw. He crossed his arms, shaking his head in disapproval. “You’ve already messed this up enough.”

“She’s done with you. Don’t make it worse, boss,” Nick added, his tone softer, with a hint of sympathy. He placed a hand on my shoulder, as if that might hold me back. “It’s time to let her go.”

But I couldn’t do that. I shook him off, ignoring their words as the sting of Marcie’s last look burned through me. I couldn’t just stand here and let her leave like that. There was so much I’d wanted to say. Why couldn’t I get the words out?

Marcie’s final words echoed in my mind: “I want someone who knows what they want, who isn’t afraid to claim it. I’m done waiting for you to decide if I’m worth it.” The bitterness in her tone had sliced through me, and the fury in her eyes—it left no room for doubt. I’d pushed her too far, held back too long, and now, well, she was right to give up on me. Still, I had to try again. Sort this out. She thought she wasn’t worthy. But it was me, I was the one who wasn’t worthy.

The heavy bass from the club faded behind me as I pushed through the doors into the cool night air, my heart pounding. I had to find her. I couldn’t let it end like this.

“Marcie!” I called, my voice tight with urgency as I scanned the area, pulse thundering in my ears. Her silhouette was just ahead, lit by the harsh glow of a street light, her back rigid with anger as she stormed away towards the car park area.

The sight of her retreating, putting that distance between us, sent a pang through my chest. She was pulling away, slipping out of my grasp, and for the first time, I felt a fear I’d been trying to ignore. What if this really was it? What if I’d let her slip away for good because I hadn’t been able to face what I felt?

“Marcie, wait—please!”

My eyes widened as the shadows near her moved.

“Anton!” she shouted, spinning toward me with fury and frustration flashing in her eyes. She took a step back, clearly wanting to put distance between us, but she didn’t see the danger lurking nearby.

I saw them—several men standing too close, their eyes fixed on her like predators waiting to pounce. My gut clenched.

One of them moved fast, grabbing her wrist before I could close the distance.

“Let her go!” I bellowed, my heart slamming in my chest as I surged forward.

“You’ve made this easy for us,” the guy sneered, his grip on Marcie tightening.

“Yeah, we didn’t expect to get both of you tonight. But this is a bonus,” another said, chuckling.

His words were like a punch to the gut, and I realised then—this wasn’t some random attack. They wanted Marcie… and me.

Marcie tried to pull free, her eyes wide, struggling against the man’s hold. “Anton, help!” she cried, her voice tight with panic now.

My blood boiled. “Get your hands off her,” I growled, rushing toward the guy holding Marcie.

“Not so fast,” one of the others said, stepping in my path, blocking me from reaching her. His cold gaze raked over me.

---