03

Missy point of View;

The little diner on the edge of campus was warm and noisy, all yellow lights and clinking plates.

A bell above the door jingled as Missy, Sienna, and Marco stepped inside.

“Booth or table?” Sienna asked, glancing around.

Before Missy could answer, Marco gave a short nod toward the back.

“They’re already here.”

“They?” Missy echoed, brows furrowing.

Sienna didn’t reply. She just grabbed Missy’s hand again Missy was starting to notice she did that when things were about to get weird and started walking.

That’s when Missy felt it.

The shift in air.

The heat behind her ears.

The heavy weight of someone watching.

No several someones.

Her steps slowed.

They were in the far corner, sitting around a large table like they owned it. Black jackets.

Broad shoulders. That same aura of danger that made people whisper and look away.

The mafia boys.

All four of them.

And every one of them was staring.

Missy’s fingers twitched, her gaze dropping instantly to the floor. She didn’t want to look up.

She couldn’t. Their presence was too much like walking into a room full of predators with nowhere to hide.

“I don’t think I” she started to whisper.

“They don’t bite,” Sienna said quickly, though her voice wasn’t exactly reassuring. “Usually.”

Missy froze. “Wait. Marco knows them?”

Sienna nodded, like it was the most normal thing in the world. “He grew up with them.”

What?!

And just like that, Sienna tugged her forward again. No escape.

Each step felt louder than it should’ve. Missy kept her eyes down, fingers tightening around the strap of her bag.

I look like a sheep, she thought. A freaking sheep at a table full of wolves.

They were almost there when she finally lifted her eyes and saw him.

He was at the head of the table.

Relaxed. Silent. Dangerous.

His black hoodie was pulled halfway up, and the sleeves were pushed back to reveal ink trailing down his arms.

He had dark hair that curled slightly over his forehead, and a shadow of stubble on his sharp jaw.

His fingers tapped a slow rhythm on the table but when he saw her, they stopped.

And then so did her breath.

Missy just stared.

And he stared back.

Not blinking. Not moving.

It felt like the world went silent for a second too long.

She couldn’t even speak. Couldn’t look away. Something about his eyes felt different. Not cold like Nico’s. Not hard like Marco’s.

They were deep.

Like they could see too much.

“Sit,” Marco said, guiding Sienna to the bench beside one of the boys.

Missy hesitated at the edge, frozen.

Then she felt a shift to her left.

“Nico,” she heard someone say.

She turned and saw him.

He was leaning slightly forward in his seat, that usual coolness in his gaze. And yet something softened in his expression when he saw her.

He nodded.

That’s all it took.

Her nerves exploded into butterflies, and without thinking, without hesitation, she broke into a grin.

“Nickkkkk!” she squealed, practically bouncing over and wrapping her arms around him in a sudden hug.

The table went dead silent.

Even the waiter paused mid-step.

Nico blinked actually blinked his eyes widening for a second before his arms awkwardly hovered near her back.

And then slowly he patted her shoulder.

“That’s not my name,” he muttered.

Missy pulled back, still smiling wide, cheeks flushed. “I know. But it suits you.”

Nico shook his head, and though his face didn’t fully change there was something in his eyes that looked dangerously close to amused.

Sienna stared at her like she’d lost her mind.

Alexander, still watching her, tilted his head slightly like she was something strange and unfamiliar.

But Missy didn’t care.

Because for the first time all day, she felt seen and oddly, safe.

Even at a table full of wolves.

"How did you guys meet?" one of the boys asked, leaning slightly forward with a curious glint in his eye.

Missy blinked, unsure who spoke. She didn't know all their names yet, but it was the one with messy blond hair and a nose ring.

His voice was surprisingly friendly, but his stare was sharp.

She opened her mouth to answer, but the waiter arrived just then, sliding plates across the table.

The scent hit her like a warm blanket greasy, cheesy, perfect.

She made a soft "mm!" sound and immediately reached for one of the burgers.

Then paused.

"Can I have one?" she asked, glancing at her roommate like a little kid asking permission.

Sienna raised an amused brow, then gave a small nod. "Help yourself, sunshine."

Missy grinned and grabbed it with both hands, taking a huge bite. The second the flavor hit her tongue, she actually moaned.

"This is so good," she mumbled with her mouth half full, eyes fluttering.

Across the table, the boys stared.

Like she'd just landed from another planet.

Nico shook his head, his voice low but clear as he finally answered for her.

"She sat in my chair."

The blond boy snorted. "You let someone sit in your chair?"

"She didn't know," Nico replied simply.

"I said sorry!" Missy added, wiping her lips with a napkin, still chewing.

"You didn't tell me you met him today," Sienna said, turning to her with a look that was half-surprised, half-seriously

"Sorrie," Missy mumbled, her voice small as she stared at her burger again.

The table chuckled low, amused sounds like wolves howling softly under their breath.

"She's cute," said the boy with the shaved sides and a silver chain his voice had a teasing lilt.

Sienna sighed and rolled her eyes. "Okay. Listen up before she hugs the rest of you."

She pointed casually around the table.

"That's Matteo," she said, motioning to the blond one who asked the question. He winked at Missy, making her blink twice.

"Enzo," she said next, pointing to the one with the silver chain and tired eyes. He gave a short nod, chewing slowly.

"And lastly" Her voice dropped slightly, almost cautious.

"Alexander."

Missy's head turned slowly.

Her eyes met his.

He hadn't moved. He hadn't spoken.

But he was watching her.

Just like before.

His elbows rested on the table, one hand slightly curled into a fist while the other tapped his ring against the edge of his glass.

His stare was dark, unreadable like he was peeling back layers no one else saw.

Missy opened her mouth to say something anything.

But nothing came out.

She just looked at him, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

He didn't look away.

Didn't blink.

Didn't smile.

Sienna nudged her gently, breaking the silence.

"Don't let him freak you out. He's always like that."

"R-right," Missy said, forcing her eyes down to the plate again.

But she could still feel him.

Like his gaze was made of weight and heat, anchoring her to her seat.

She took another bite of her burger just to keep from saying something awkward, but this time, she didn't moan. She barely even chewed.

Not with him looking at her like that.

Like he already knew she was going to be trouble.

Like maybe he wanted her to be.