Ava woke up slowly.

At first, she wasn’t sure where she was. Her eyes opened to unfamiliar surroundings, soft cream-colored walls, thick curtains drawn halfway, and the faint sound of birds outside. She blinked a few times, her mind catching up to the rest of her.

Then it hit her. Last night.

Ethan. The warehouse. The gun in her hand. Damien.

Her chest tightened, but she stayed still, letting the quiet sink in. She was in Damien’s bed. The sheets smelled like him, clean, expensive cologne, and something warm beneath it. His scent was everywhere, but he wasn’t.

She turned her head.

The space beside her was empty.

Ava pushed...