She nods, and I stand, taking her hand and guiding her back through the sliding door and into her room. She reaches back to close the glass behind us.
Then I hear it.
Footsteps. Faint, but unmistakable.
My mind jumps straight to the worst-case scenario—someone’s here, and they’re not here for a friendly visit. Every instinct in me snaps into place as I start assessing angles, entry points, intent.
I lean in close to her. “Stay in here,” I whisper. “Hide.”
Terror flashes across her face.
“It’s going to be okay,” I murmur, pressing another kiss to her forehead before pulling back, already preparing for whatever comes next.
I step out of her room and move into the living room, keeping to the shadows. The TV is the only light source, flickering across the space. At first, I don’t see anyone.
Then I catch it—a shadow near the back nook.
They’re wearing a dark button down and slacks
I move slowly, intently, closing the distance. When I’m closeenough, I loop my right arm around their neck and lock them into a chokehold. They react instantly, slamming their left elbow straight into my stomach with full force.
Fuck, that hurt.
My grip loosens just enough for them to twist around and throw a punch at my face. I barely dodge it and counter with my left fist, catching them hard in the jaw. They manage to roll with most of it, but it still lands.
They retaliate fast, smashing a fist into my nose. Pain explodes through my face. I’m pretty sure it’s broken now, and I feel my lip split.
I don’t give them time to recover. I drive two solid punches into their stomach, then snap one into the side of their head, right at the ear.
As the moonlight spills farther into the apartment, recognition hits me.
Oh shit.
I’m dead. He’s going to kill me.
Ihave to put a stop to this.
I back up a few steps, putting distance between us before I can even get his name out.
“Gino, what the hell!” Vanessa screams from behind me.
Never mind. She beats me to it.
“Vanessa. Are you okay?” he calls back instantly.
Fuck.
“Vanessa, are you okay?” he asks again.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she answers.
“I’m good too,” I cut in. “Figured you were wondering, man.”
“I figured,” Gino says dryly. “You really need to work on your jabs. I’ll barely have a bruise.”
“Shut up, asshole.”
“Neither of you were answering your phones or respondingto texts. So, Kevin let me borrow his key to this place,” he says, irritation lacing his voice now.
