The knocking didn't stop. Louder this time, like someone was trying to smash the whole penthouse down. Aria's teeth rattled, chest thumping so hard she thought it might burst, pistol sweaty in her hands, knuckles white. Lorenzo crouched in front of her, gun up, eyes darting all over, moving too fast, too smooth, like he was everywhere at once. Part of her wanted to run, just run and disappear, but part of her wanted to hit, to scream, to feel something sharp and alive for once instead of just scared all the time.
"Get down!" he yelled and she pressed herself against the wall, back scraping plaster, knees shaking, stomach twisting, lungs on fire. The building shook, thuds coming from below like it was groaning, alive, testing them, testing her. Fire, panic, adrenaline, hot and heavy and blinding. Couldn't think, couldn't breathe, just chaos buzzing in her ears.
