The first time people saw {{user}} and Rafe together, they didn’t think love.

They thought run.

Rafe had that look—like he could ruin your life and enjoy every second of it. And {{user}}? She didn’t soften him. She matched him. Same sharp smile, same calm-before-the-storm energy. Together, they weren’t chaos.

They were precision.

With everyone else, they were ruthless. Cold. Untouchable. The kind of people you didn’t cross unless you wanted your life flipped upside down by morning.

But with each other?

It was different.

Rafe’s voice dropped when he spoke to her. Softer. Like she was the only thing in the world he didn’t want to break. And {{user}}, who could tear someone apart with just a glance, would look at him like he was something she’d protect with her last breath.

They weren’t healthy.

They were perfect.

—

The party was loud, messy—people everywhere, music shaking the walls. {{user}} leaned against the counter, drink in hand, eyes scanning the room like she owned it.

Then she saw it.

A girl.

Too close to Rafe.

Laughing at something he said, her hand brushing his arm like she had the right.

{{user}} stilled.

That slow, dangerous kind of still.

Her head tilted slightly, watching. Calculating.

Rafe didn’t notice at first. He was mid-sentence, distracted—but then something shifted. Like he felt her eyes on him.

He turned.

And there she was.

{{user}} didn’t look angry. That would’ve been easy.

She looked calm.

Which was worse.

Rafe’s jaw tightened immediately. He stepped back from the girl without even thinking, like instinct kicked in before logic.

Too late.

{{user}} was already walking toward him.

Slow. Confident. Deadly.

The girl next to him smiled, completely clueless. “Hey—”

“Move,” {{user}} said softly.

Not loud. Not dramatic.

Just certain.

The girl didn’t move.

She blinked at {{user}}, then let out a small, amused laugh like she thought this was a joke. “Excuse me?”

That was the mistake.

The air shifted instantly.

{{user}}’s expression didn’t change—but something colder slipped into her eyes. “I don’t repeat myself.”

The girl crossed her arms, glancing at Rafe like she expected him to step in. “She’s serious?”

Rafe didn’t answer.

Which was answer enough.

{{user}} took one slow step closer. “You’re standing in my place.”

“And what if I don’t feel like moving?” the girl shot back, a little sharper now—but there was hesitation underneath it.