---Lorenzo---
The sky was heavy and gray, the kind of overcast that muffles the world and makes sound carry farther. It suited my mood perfectly. I leaned against the railing of the balcony, scanning the yard below with the patience of a man who has no need to rush. My eyes tracked every shift of movement, every change in shadow. And then, there she was—finally.
She slipped through the side gate, moving quick and quiet, but not quiet enough. Her shoulders hunched under a thin jacket, her hair bouncing with each hurried step. Even from this distance, I could see the determination in her posture. She wasn’t just wandering—she was running from me. That thought sent a steady current of focus through my veins.
I pushed off the railing and took my time heading down the stairs. Speed was tempt
