The sound of the door creaking open sent a cold jolt through my body, freezing me in place. My heart pounded in my chest as the weight of what was happening hit me all at once. Someone had breached the house. Despite the cameras, the security, and the secluded location—Castellano's men had found us.
The room seemed to tilt as a wave of panic threatened to pull me under, but I forced myself to stay calm. I had to think. I had to protect Ava. My eyes darted toward the door, and I took a step back, my mind racing with possibilities.
I couldn't stay here. If Castellano's men were inside the house, hiding wasn't an option. I had to get to Ava and Martha, had to make sure they were safe. My hand reached for the phone, but my fingers were shaking too much to dial. I heard another sound—a low, muffled voice—followed by the soft creak of footsteps on the floor above me.
They were moving through the house.
