POV: Dominic
The gunshot echoed through the marble lobby like thunder.
For one frozen moment, time stopped.
Then Sienna screamed behind me, and I realized, the bullet hadn't hit me.
Tyler stood there, gun shaking in his hands, staring at the shattered glass window behind us. He'd missed. Deliberately or by accident, I couldn't tell.
I could have killed you, he whispered, tears streaming down his face. I should have killed you.
Security was already running toward us. I kept Sienna behind me, my heart hammering so hard I could barely breathe.
Tyler, put the gun down. I kept my voice steady. Calm. This isn't you.
You don't know what I am! He was sobbing now, the gun wavering. You took everything from me! She was supposed to be mine! You were supposed to stay in your corner and be grateful we even acknowledged you!
I know. I took a careful step forward. I know what it feels like to be the one who doesn't fit. To watch everyone else get what they want while you get scraps. But Tyler, this won't fix it. Killing me won't bring her back. It'll just destroy your life.
My life is already destroyed! My parents hate me, my grandmother won't even look at me, everyone at Princeton thinks I'm a joke because my uncle stole my girlfriend! The gun shook harder. What do I have left?
Your future. Your freedom. A chance to become someone better than this.
Security was ten feet away now. I raised my hand, signaling them to stop.
Tyler, I said quietly. I'm sorry. I'm sorry your parents compared you to me. I'm sorry you felt second-best. I'm sorry that kiss hurt you. But you hurt her first. And she deserves better than both of us.
He looked past me to Sienna. Did you ever love me?
She stepped out from behind me before I could stop her.
I loved who I thought you were, she said, her voice shaking but clear. But that person never existed. You wanted a girlfriend who made you feel important. I wanted someone who saw me. We were never really together, Tyler. We were just... performing.
Something broke in his face. The gun lowered.
I could have been better, he whispered. If you'd just given me another chance
I gave you three years of chances. Sienna's voice was gentle but firm. You never took them.
Security moved in then, surrounding Tyler. He didn't resist when they took the gun, when they pushed him to the floor, when they handcuffed him.
He just kept crying. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, I wasn't going to actually
Police arrived within minutes. Statements were taken. Tyler was led away in handcuffs, still sobbing.
And I stood there, adrenaline crashing, realizing how close I'd come to losing everything.
Losing her.
In the back of my car, Sienna shook so badly I pulled her onto my lap, wrapping my arms around her.
He could have killed you, she kept saying. He had a gun. He could have
But he didn't. I held her tighter. We're okay. We're both okay.
This is my fault. If I hadn't chosen you, if I'd just forgiven Tyler like I always did
Don't. I pulled back, forcing her to look at me. This is not your fault. Tyler made his choices. You made yours. You chose yourself. That's not wrong.
But now he's going to jail, your family hates us, everyone thinks I'm
Sienna. I cupped her face. I don't care what anyone thinks. I care that you're safe. That's all that matters.
She stared at me, tears sliding down her cheeks. Why? Why do you care so much?
Because somewhere between that closet kiss and this moment, she'd become the most important thing in my world.
Because when that gun went off, my only thought was protecting her.
Because Sienna Cross had walked into my carefully controlled life and made me feel alive for the first time in years.
But I couldn't say any of that. Not yet.
Because you deserve someone who cares, I said instead. And I'm done pretending I don't.
She kissed me then, desperate and trembling and full of everything we weren't saying.
I kissed her back, knowing this changed everything. Knowing there was no going back now.
At the police station, I made calls. Lawyers. PR teams. Security details.
Tyler was being charged with assault with a deadly weapon and making terroristic threats. He'd be arraigned in the morning. Victoria was already there with her legal team, trying to spin this as a mental health crisis.
She'll get him off, James said quietly beside me. Rich white boy with good lawyers? He'll do rehab instead of prison.
I know. I watched through the window as Victoria spoke to her attorney. But he'll never come near Sienna again. I'll make sure of it.
Dom. James hesitated. Are you in love with her?
The question stopped me cold.
She's eighteen.
That's not an answer.
It's complicated.
Love usually is. He handed me his tablet. The shooting is already on TMZ. Videos from the lobby security cameras. By morning, this will be everywhere.
I looked at the footage, me pushing Sienna behind me, Tyler raising the gun, the shot shattering glass.
How does this play for us?
Honestly? You look like a hero. Protecting your girlfriend from your deranged nephew. Public sympathy is swinging heavily in your favor. James paused. But Sienna's going to need real protection now. Tyler's not the only threat. Every crazy person with internet access knows who she is.
I'm hiring a security team. She doesn't go anywhere without protection.
She's not going to like that.
I don't care. She's alive to not like it. That's what matters.
I found Sienna in a conference room, wrapped in a blanket someone had given her, giving her statement to a detective.
When she saw me, she stood immediately. Can we go home?
Home. Not to her parents' apartment in Brooklyn. Not anywhere else.
Home. With me.
Yes, I said. Let's go home.
In the car, she fell asleep against my shoulder, exhausted from adrenaline and fear. I held her, watching the city lights blur past.
My phone buzzed. Victoria.
You've destroyed this family. Tyler is in jail because of you and that girl. I hope you're satisfied.
I typed back: Tyler is in jail because he pointed a gun at people. Actions have consequences. Even for Sterlings.
Her response came immediately: This isn't over. That girl will regret the day she met you.
I deleted the message and blocked her number.
Then I looked down at Sienna, sleeping peacefully despite everything.
She'd ripped up half a million dollars for me. Faced down a gun. Refused to run even when things got dangerous.
She was brave and fierce and absolutely fearless.
And I was completely, irrevocably in love with her.
The realization should have terrified me.
Instead, it felt like coming home.
At my penthouse, I carried her to the guest room, she was still asleep. Tucked her into bed fully clothed because waking her felt cruel.
I was heading to my own room when my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered. Sterling.
Heavy breathing. Then Tyler's voice, cracked and broken: They're letting me out tomorrow. Bail hearing. My grandmother's paying for it.
Tyler
I'm sorry. For everything. The gun, the threats, all of it. I was drunk and high and, I wasn't thinking. He sounded sober now. Terrified. But Dominic, you need to protect her.
From what?
My grandmother. She's planning something. I heard her on the phone with someone—something about 'handling the girl permanently.' I don't know what it means, but she was serious. Pleasewhatever else happened, I don't want Sienna hurt.
The line went dead.
I stood there, phone in hand, ice running through my veins.
Victoria was coming for Sienna.
And I had no idea what she was planning.
I walked to the guest room, watching Sienna sleep peacefully.
Tomorrow, I would tell her the truth.
Tomorrow, I would admit I was in love with her.
Tomorrow, I would figure out how to protect her from my family.
But tonight, I just watched her breathe and made a promise to myself:
Whatever Victoria planned, whatever war came next, I would keep Sienna safe.
Even if it cost me everything.
My phone buzzed one more time.
A text from an unknown number with a single photo attached.
I opened it.
The photo was of Sienna—taken through her bedroom window in Brooklyn. Tonight. Hours ago.
Someone had been watching her.
The caption: She's not as safe as you think. We're closer than you know.
My blood turned to ice.
This wasn't just about reputation anymore.
This was about survival.
And the war had just become deadly.