Ayla slipped back into Kael’s penthouse, her fingers trembling as she locked the door behind her. The click of the lock echoed in the quiet space, and she leaned against the cold wood, her chest rising and falling like she’d run a marathon.

The city lights spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the modern living room. The silence pressed down on her, heavy and unforgiving, but she welcomed it.

At least she was alone.

She kicked off her shoes, the soft thud against the floor barely registering. Her body moved on autopilot as she crossed the room, her fingers ghosting over the back of the leather couch....