My eyes flew open, fully awake the way they have been doing since as far back as I can remember. No matter where I am or what the circumstances may be, I come fully awake with my awareness in check, fully cognizant of the sights, sounds, and smells around me. I thought I heard a sound, but maybe it was just my internal alarm clock going off.

I wasn’t overly surprised when the pain in the ass down the hall was the first thing that came to my mind. Shit, she was the last thing in it ...