The flash came like a whisper.
Silent.
Distant.
But not invisible.
Damian saw it from the corner of his eye.
He shifted instantly, pulling the curtain across the tall glass window with a sharp tug.
"Stay here," he said, already moving.
Ariana's fingers caught his sleeve. "What is it?"
"Stay," he repeated — softer, firmer.
He grabbed his phone from the bedside table and pressed a single button.
Downstairs, boots began to move.
The security team responded without questions.
The kind of response trained for war, not luxury.
Ariana's heart picked up speed. She didn't like the way the air felt. It wasn't calm anymore. It was waiting.
Damian stepped into the hallway and spoke into the phone, his voice low and lethal.
"Perimeter. East wall. Capture."
No hesitation.
No panic.
Only control.
---
Outside the mansion, the figure froze.
Too late.
Two dark shapes dropped from the rooftop like shadows and tackled him before he could run.
The camera hit the gravel.
A hand twisted behind his back.
He didn't scream.
He wasn't allowed to.
---
Back inside, Damian didn't return immediately.
Ariana sat on the bed, hands folded tightly in her lap.
She didn't cry.
She didn't shake.
She just waited.
---
Minutes later, the door opened.
He came back quieter.
Not angry.
Not calm.
Something in between.
"Did someone get in?" she asked.
"No."
She studied his face. "Then why do you look like that?"
He walked to her slowly.
Someone tried to touch what was his.
That's how he felt.
But he didn't say it.
He sat beside her instead, close — but careful.
"Someone was stupid outside," he said.
She reached for his hand.
"You caught them?"
"Yes."
She nodded, then surprised him by leaning her head onto his shoulder.
"You don't have to carry everything alone."
His fingers tightened around hers.
---
In a dark room underground, a man sat tied to a chair.
Camera broken.
Hands bound.
Eyes wide.
He had aimed to sell pictures.
Now he was praying to survive the night.
---
Back upstairs, Damian brushed Ariana's hair away from her face.
"Sleep," he said softly.
She hesitated. "You'll stay?"
His answer was immediate.
"I'm not leaving this room."
She closed her eyes slowly.
And for once, she slept.