Sterling's eyes popped wide as he heard a thunderous pounding sound. It had pulled him back to reality from the frightening vison of Faye bleeding and lying unconscious before him.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!' The loud frantic knock came again from the bedchamber door.
He was covered in sweat, his shirt sticking to his skin as he sat up in the bed, attempting to gather his bearings.
The Duke heard a voice shout from the other side, "Commander! Are you alright?"
He recognized the voice belonging to Andre.
The Duke finally replied, "Yeah! we are okay. Stand down!"
"Aye, commander." Andre acknowledged his order from the entrance of the bedroom door.
Sterling gently ran his rough, calloused finger through his damp, shaggy, black hair, the strands brushing against his palm with a rasping sound.
