Denise couldn’t move.
Not because she was frozen in fear alone—
but because something in Liam’s gaze had locked her in place.
Even from that distance.
Even through glass.
Even in the chaos below.
His eyes were not what she knew.
They were still him… but deeper. Sharper. Lit from within by something instinctive and violent.
Then he turned away.
And the courtyard exploded into motion again.
Denise stumbled back from the balcony, breathing unevenly.
“What is happening…” she whispered.
Below, the shadows scattered in different directions.
But Liam didn’t chase like a man would.
He moved like something that didn’t need to choose.
He simply appeared where they tried to escape.
A blur.
A break in space.
Denise pressed a hand to her mouth.
One of the intruders tried to run towar
