A SHADOW FROM THE PAST

Sienna’s heart pounded as she stepped away from the door, gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.

The man outside was silent now, but she could still feel his presence waiting, watching.

Every second stretched unbearably as she listened for any movement. Would he try to force his way in? Would Damien make it in time?

The penthouse felt too big, too open. She had never been afraid in Damien’s space before, but now, it felt like a cage.

Another knock.

This one was softer.

“Sienna,” the voice called again, smooth and coaxing. “I don’t mean any harm. I just want to talk.”

She didn’t respond.

A low chuckle came from the other side. “He didn’t tell you about me, did he?”

Sienna’s pulse spiked. Whoever this was he knew Damien.

She forced her voice to stay steady. “I don’t know who you are, and I don’t care. Leave.”

A pause. Then—

“I thought you’d be smarter than this.”

Sienna’s breath caught.

The doorknob rattled.

Panic surged through her veins as she stumbled backward, her mind racing. She had to get out of here. But how? The only other exit was Damien’s private elevator, which required his security code.

Think, Sienna.

She glanced around the penthouse, searching for anything she could use. A weapon. A hiding place. Something.

But before she could act, the sound of a keycard sliding through the lock made her blood run cold.

Her stomach twisted in terror.

Whoever this man was, he had access.

The door clicked open an inch—

Then slammed shut again.

A deafening bang followed.

Sienna gasped as a second bang rang through the penthouse this time from inside.

Gunshots.

She dropped to the floor instinctively, her hands covering her head.

A scuffle broke out just beyond the doorway, followed by a harsh grunt and the sound of someone slamming into the wall.

Then silence.

Her pulse thundered in her ears as she lifted her head.

Footsteps.

Strong, measured.

Then—

“Sienna.”

Damien.

Relief crashed into her so hard she nearly collapsed.

The door swung open fully now, revealing Damien standing there, his face carved from stone, his dark eyes burning with something lethal.

Behind him, two of his security men dragged away an unconscious man dressed in all black, a gun still clenched in his limp hand.

Sienna swallowed hard.

Damien took one look at her and crossed the room in three long strides. Before she could even process it, she was in his arms, his hands framing her face.

“Are you hurt?”His voice was hoarse, tight with rage and something else. Fear.

She shook her head, but her body trembled violently.

Damien’s hands moved over her arms, down her waist, as if checking for injuries himself.

“I’m fine,” she whispered.

His jaw clenched, his grip tightening for just a moment before he pulled her into his chest.

Sienna clung to him, her body shaking as the adrenaline slowly wore off. “Who was that?”

Damien exhaled sharply, his fingers tangling in her hair.

“A problem,” he muttered darkly. “One I should have eliminated a long time ago.”

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him. “Damien…”

His eyes met hers, stormy and unreadable. “He won’t bother you again.”

The finality in his tone sent a shiver through her.

Damien turned toward his security team. “Clean this up. I want every trace of him erased from my world.”

“Yes, sir.”

Sienna watched as the men carried the intruder’s unconscious body out of the penthouse, her stomach twisting.

She knew Damien was powerful. She knew he was ruthless when necessary.

But seeing it firsthand?

It was something else entirely.

Damien’s fingers brushed her cheek, pulling her attention back to him. “I need you to listen to me, Sienna.”

She nodded numbly.

He cupped her face gently, his expression fierce. “You’re mine. No one touches you. No one threatens you. Ever.”

The possessiveness in his voice should have scared her.

But instead, it sent warmth flooding through her chest.

Because for the first time since meeting Damien, she realized something.

She didn’t just belong to him.

He belonged to her, too.