Catherine’s heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted down the alley behind the palace, the cool night air whipping her messy hair around her face. Her shoes skidded across the damp pavement, breath coming in sharp gasps. She didn’t dare look back. It wasn’t the first time she found herself running, though this time she wasn’t even sure why. It was just instinct, her fight-or-flight response in full effect.
Out of the shadows ahead, Armani stepped into her path, his tall frame blocking the narrow exit. Catherine dug her heels into the ground, almost tripping over herself in her desperate attempt to stop. She straightened up, trying to calm her frantic breathing, though her hands still shook at her sides.
“Why are you running?” Armani’s deep voice cut through the stillness, his eyes narr
