The knock came again. Louder this time. Banging through the walls like some kind of drum, like the whole penthouse was shaking just for her. Aria's heart went nuts, thumping so hard it was like it was trying to escape her chest. Every pulse was a war drum in her ears.
"Cops, Vitale!" the voice shouted again. Not polite. Not negotiable. Just… pure threat.
She froze. Her legs wanted to run. Her whole body screamed to vanish, sink into the shadows, disappear somewhere she'd never be found. But she didn't. Not moving wasn't bravery. Not loyalty. Not even fear. Fire. Something wild inside her had woken. Something Lorenzo had unlocked. Danger, control, power, she could feel it fizzing in her veins.
The knock turned into a battering ram against the door. Boom. Boom. Boom. Her ribs vibrated with it.
Lorenzo moved. Silent, predator-smooth, like a hawk. Gun raised, finger light on the trigger. Eyes narrowing. "Stay behind me."
