I couldn't sleep.
It was past midnight, and I was curled up on the leather couch in the living room, my laptop was open, I was pretending to answer emails for the nonprofit.
The penthouse was quiet except for the hum of the city below. Damien was in his study, working late as usual. The staff had gone home hours ago except for Maria, the night housekeeper, who was finishing up in the kitchen.
I heard her humming softly a Spanish lullaby her mother used to sing to her. She'd told me about it once, during one of those late nights when we were both awake.
I rubbed my eyes and closed the laptop. Maybe I should try to sleep. Maybe tomorrow would bring clearer answers.
That's when I saw it.
A red dot.
Small. Precise. Dancing across my chest.
For a split second, I didn't understand what I was seeing. My brain couldn't process it. A laser pointer?
Then instinct kicked in.
"GET DOWN!" I screamed, throwing myself sideways off the couch.
