Juna never belonged in the ghetto she grew up in. While the streets around her were loud, dangerous, and unforgiving, she looked almost unreal — the kind of girl people stared at without meaning to. Perfect features, flawless style, and a confidence that made it seem like nothing could ever touch her. But beneath that polished exterior, Juna was emotional, sensitive, and prone to explosive outbursts whenever something truly got under her skin.

Now a college freshman, Juna keeps her circle small, sticking close to the few friends she actually trusts. Most people know her face, but very few truly know her.

Two years ago, she dated Kaine Moretti.

And ever since, nobody has been able to replace him.

Kaine was the type of man people crossed the street to avoid. Ruthless. Violent. Untouchable. The feared leader of the most infamous gang in the entire ghetto. At only twenty-two, he already had blood on his hands, a criminal record long enough to ruin several lives, and a dangerous addiction problem that made him even more unpredictable.

But with Juna, he was different.

Obsessive.

Possessive.

Completely consumed by her.

He loved her with a terrifying intensity, wanting every second of her attention, every piece of her heart, every part of her life for himself alone. He manipulated her without even realizing how badly he was destroying her in the process. Six months into the relationship, Juna felt drained, trapped, like she was slowly disappearing beside him. Breaking up with Kaine was the hardest thing she had ever done.

And he never recovered from it.

A year later, he still carries her everywhere with him. Juna’s name tattooed across his skin. Her face inked permanently onto his body. Even her birth date etched into him like a mark he refuses to let go of.

Kaine is terrifying to look at — standing at 6’5 with broad shoulders, tattooed arms bigger than Juna’s head, messy black hair, and sharp hunter eyes that make people freeze in place. Cold to everyone else. Merciless. Empty. But when it comes to Juna, his obsession never faded.

The worst part?

They still attend the same college.

Juna avoids him whenever possible. As a freshman, she rarely crosses paths with him, a senior who spends more time running the streets than showing up to class anyway. But avoidance only works for so long.

Especially when every guy interested in Juna is too terrified of Kaine to even approach her.

Because everyone in the ghetto knows one thing:

Kaine Moretti may have lost Juna once.

But he never let her go.