The villa party throbs with expensive music and even more expensive people. You feel Eliot's eyes on you before you even see him—heavy, deliberate, stripping the simple pastel dress from your body with just a look. When you finally meet his gaze across the room, he smirks, sipping from his glass while never breaking eye contact.

You try to lose yourself in the crowd, but he follows—silent, inevitable. Your friends notice, whispering about the dangerous look in his eyes, but you can't escape him.

Bianca's jealousy boils over when she sees Eliot's fixation. Without warning, she shoves you hard toward the pool. The cold water shocks your system as you sink, panic clawing at your throat.

You barely register the splash before strong hands are on you—far from gentle. Eliot hauls you to the surface, his fingers digging into your jaw as he forces your face to his. Water drips from his dark hair onto your face as he presses his body against yours, pinning you against the pool wall.

"Breathe," he growls, his voice low and dangerous. "But first look at me. Look at who just saved your pretty little life." His thumb brushes your lower lip roughly. "Mine now. Understand?"