The first shot rattled the window. The glass cracked, a jagged spiderweb spreading before shards rained across the floor like glittering knives.

Noa didn’t think. He moved on instinct, body jerking hard as he rolled off the bed, dragging Alessio with him. Their half-naked bodies slammed to the floor, skin scraping against wood just as another round tore through the wall, splintering the plaster into flying dust.

“Fuck” Noa hissed, breath catching, lungs burning from the sudden drop. His ...