●Sienna●
Three days had passed since the charity gala, and I was relieved to be back to my usual routine. After graduating, I had started working at my father's company. He hated seeing me idle, and honestly, I didn't like acting like a spoiled brat either, so it worked out.
After a long day at work, I headed straight home. Since the campaigns began, Mom had barely been around. It was rallies, meetings, dinners—anything to keep Dad in the spotlight. I was just glad they let me sit this part out. I had spent my whole life surrounded by attention, most of it stolen by my father, and I didn't miss it. As long as my presence wasn't necessary, I was happy staying out of it.
I made my way to the kitchen where Nanny Marla was already waiting. She had been with us for as long as I could remember; she practically raised me, and I had the softest spot for her. She had truly outdone herself tonight. I had requested her signature Creamy Seafood Alfredo with Garlic Butter Crostini. It was the kind of meal my mother would call a "caloric nightmare," but it was still my favourite.
After dinner, I headed upstairs, took a long shower, and changed into something comfortable. I slipped into bed and turned on the TV, picking up the show I had started the night before. Hours passed without me realizing it.
When sleep finally crept in, I turned the TV off and let my head sink into the pillow.
***
I stirred awake, pulling my teddy closer to my chest as sleep slipped away. My eyes burned as I blindly reached for my phone, squinting at the screen. It was four minutes to two in the morning.
I let out a tired breath and turned slightly, ready to fall back asleep when something caught my attention. There was a human figure comfortably sitting across the room on my couch.
I sat up so fast my heart slammed against my ribs. Panic rushed through me in one sharp wave. My hand fumbled for the lamp and I turned it on, but the light was weak, barely reaching across the room. It spilled over the floor and the edge of the couch but left most of him untouched. He stayed in the shadows, unmoving.
As my lips parted, ready to scream, he lifted up a gun and pointed it toward me.
"You should continue sleeping," he said calmly.
The sound of his voice froze me in place. It was steady and controlled, like he was telling me something ordinary. I tried to see his face but the distance and the darkness worked against me. All I could make out was the outline of his body, broad shoulders, long legs stretched out like he had made himself comfortable. His dark hair fell over his forehead, hiding his eyes completely.
Slowly, I shifted toward the left side of the bed. I kept my movements subtle, my hand hidden beneath the duvet as I reached for the drawer in my nightstand. Being a politician's daughter came with certain lessons. I had been taught how to use a gun long before I had been taught how to live without fear.
My fingers pulled the drawer open, but it was empty.
A cold wave of panic crashed over me. My chest tightened and my breathing turned shallow. I knew then that I was not in control of this situation. I never was.
A quiet sound came from him, something close to amusement.
"Oh, you must be looking for this," he said softly.
His hand moved out of the shadows, holding my gun. My stomach dropped as I watched him handle it with ease. He removed the magazine, then calmly took out each bullet one by one.
When he was done, he tossed the empty gun onto the bed where it landed close enough that I flinched.
"Who the hell are you?"
Sleep was completely gone now, chased away by the violent pounding of my heart. It felt like it might burst straight through my chest. My grip tightened around the duvet as a hundred thoughts collided in my head. Was he one of my father's enemies? Someone sent to make a statement?
I could feel his attention on me, heavy and unblinking. Even without seeing his eyes clearly, I knew he was watching every move I made. My phone was on the bed beside me, close enough to reach. The only thing that might buy me time. Maybe not save me, but delay whatever came next.
I lunged for it.
My fingers barely curled around the edge when he moved.
He rose from the couch in one smooth motion and took long strides toward me. Panic flooded my veins as I scrambled to unlock the screen, my hands shaking so badly I almost dropped it.
9-1
I fumbled for the next number but before I could finish, his hand clamped around my wrist. He wrenched the phone from my grip with ease, the device disappearing into his palm.
He was right in front of me now.
I froze.
He stood inches away from the bed, towering over me, his presence filling the room. The gun was still in his hand, hanging loosely at his side like it was an extension of him. My gaze dropped without permission, tracing the sharp lines of his body. He was in black ripped jeans, a fitted black t-shirt and a black leather jacket.
The light finally reached his face and my breath caught.
His features were sharp and unforgiving. A strong jaw dusted with faint stubble, lips set in a hard line. His nose was straight. Dark hair fell messily over his forehead, framing eyes so dark they almost swallowed the light. There was a single silver piercing in his ear, catching the glow of the lamp when he tilted his head.
Those eyes locked onto mine.
"Is it that hard for you to listen, Sienna?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous as he narrowed his gaze. "I told you to go back to sleep."