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I leap out of bed, grabbing my gun from the nightstand in one fluid motion. As I race toward the door, I glance at my phone, linked to the security system. The alert shows the balcony doors in Fee’s room are open.
My heart pounds in my chest as I sprint down the hallway. Fee. Lou. Are they okay? A thousand worst-case scenarios flash through my mind in the seconds it takes me to reach Sofia’s room.
I burst through the door, gun at the ready, only to find Fee standing by the alarm panel, her eyes wide with panic. The relief that floods through me is almost dizzying.
“Angelo!” she gasps, her voice barely audible over the blaring alarm. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to?—”
I quickly move to the panel, inputting the code to silence the alarm. As the noise cuts off, leaving us in sudden silence, I turn back to Fee.
"Are you okay?" I ask, setting my gun down and moving closer to her.
She nods, wrapping her arms around herself. “I had a nightmare,” she explains, her voice small, “a–about Jonah taking Lou away from me. I just wanted some fresh air. I didn’t think about the alarm. I’m so sorry.”
I feel a wave of tenderness wash over me at the sight of her, looking so vulnerable in her pajamas, her hair mussed from sleep.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I say softly, reaching out to gently touch her arm. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Fee looks up at me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I didn’t mean to wake you. Or scare you.”
I shake my head, offering her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. But next time you need some air, there’s an easier way.”
I guide her to a panel near the balcony doors, showing her how to disable the alarm for just that section. “See? This way, you can get some fresh air without waking the whole building.”
Another idea hits me. “Follow me,” I tell her.
I lead Fee up to the third floor, my hand gently guiding her up the stairs. As we reach the top, I hear her soft gasp of surprise.
The entire third floor is an open-concept space, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city with the sound of rain softly splattering against the windows. Asmall indoor garden occupies one corner, filled with lush plants and a trickling water feature. Comfortable seating is scattered throughout, and a small kitchenette sits unobtrusively along one wall.
“This is my sanctuary,” I explain, watching Fee’s eyes widen as she takes it all in. “There are no alarms up here. You’re welcome to come whenever you need air or space if the balcony isn’t doing it for you.”
Fee turns to me, her eyes shining with gratitude. “Angelo, this is… it’s incredible. Thank you.”
I smile, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at her reaction. “I’m glad you like it. I want you to feel at home here.”
She smiles at me, and it’s such a beautiful sight that it makes my heart race. I clear my throat. “How has Lou not woken up with all this commotion?”
Fee laughs softly. “Lou’s always been a heavy sleeper. A marching band could go through her room and she wouldn’t stir.”
We share a moment of quiet laughter before Fee’s expression turns serious again, her eyes searching mine with a seriousness that makes my heart stutter.
“Angelo,” she says softly, “why are you being so nice to us? Why are you helping Lou and me so much?”
I swallow hard, feeling suddenly vulnerable under her questioning gaze. For a moment, I consider deflecting, giving her some non-answer about it being the right thing to do. But something in her eyes, in the quiet intimacy of this moment, makes me want to be honest.
“Because,” I whisper, taking a step closer to her, feeling my heart quicken, “from the moment I met you, Sofia, I knew you were special. You and Lou… you’ve brought something into my life I didn’t even know I was missing. I want to protect that. To protect you.”
Fee’s breath catches, and I can see the emotions playing across her face—surprise, confusion, and something else I can’t quite name. Her eyes shine with a mix of disbelief and hope, and for a moment, I wonder if I’ve said too much, if I’ve overstepped some unspoken boundary between us.
“Angelo, I…” she starts, but I gently place a finger on her lips.
“You don’t have to say anything,” I murmur. “I just want you to know that you’re safe here. Both of you. For as long as you need.”
Fee’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, her vulnerability on full display as she steps closer, closing the distance between us. And then, before I can fully comprehend what’s happening, she presses her lips to mine, her kiss soft and warm, yet filled with a desperation that mirrors my own.
The world fades away as I lose myself in the feel of her, in the way her lips move against mine with a hunger that ignites something deep within me. The rain splatters against the windows, a soft, rhythmic backdrop to the sudden intensity of the moment. I pull her closer, my hands sliding up to cup her face, my touch both tender and possessive, as if I’m afraid she’ll slip away if I don’t hold on tight enough.
This kiss is even more passionate, a raw and primal connection that strips away all pretense and leaves us both exposed. My hands roam over her body, memorizing the feel of her, the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips. Every touch, every kiss, is a silent promise, a vow to protect her, to keep her safe from the shadows that haunt her.
