I was glad Savannah wouldn’t be alone, though my relief was fleeting. The more people there, the more targets for a man as dangerous as her ex.
Savannah opened the door, her face lighting up when she hugged Mya. That smile tugged at something deep inside me. She was the most stunning woman when she smiled, a rare glimpse I hadn’t seen nearly enough.
I wished I could cross over, ask how she was, tell her she’d be safe. But I stayed put. This was Marcus’s request, not a sudden intrusion from me.
Back inside, I unboxed the second camera and stepped out to mount it in the backyard. The alley was empty, bushes lining both properties barely concealing anything larger than a stray cat.
Still, I scanned the area. Satisfied, I set up the feed on my phone and laptop, arranging them on my coffee table as a restless vigil settled over me.
I kicked my feet up on the coffee table again, picking up the remote. In a couple hours, I would get myself something to eat. I’d already decided to stay on the couch that night and remain fully clothed just in case I had to rush out.
Tomorrow I will go over to her house and talk to her about the situation. Or maybe I’d just keep Marcus updated. I had only talked to her at length one time.
Could I really go over there and tell her I was stalking her at her brother’s request? Surely not. She wouldn’t like that at all. Or maybe that’s what she wanted. To be guarded and know someone was watching. I had no idea what she’d been through with her ex.
Marcus really hadn’t mentioned him all that often. He never had anything good to say about the man, I did remember that. And I knew he was in jail for burglary or something like that.
I wasn’t likely to get any sleep that night. It was a good thing the next day was my day off, though I would be on call starting at noon. I didn’t mind staking out Savannah’s house to make sure she was safe.
A few hours passed, the TV a blur in the background. I’d decided to sleep on the couch, fully clothed and ready. Marcus’s voice still echoed in my head. I called him to update, a tired smile playing on my lips when he laughed softly.
“You’ve been on watch since I called, haven’t you?” he asked.
“Yeah, Mya is there with her.The lights are still on. Nothing out of the ordinary, everything's fine so far. I also bought some cameras and installed them so they are focusing on her property.”
“Dude, you really didn’t have to.”
“I know. But now I’ve got peace of mind. And thanks to you, I finally got around to it. This has been a safe neighborhood but one never knows when that could change. I just always thought it was an interesting idea. I can see what’s going on from anywhere in the world. Now I might capture something the cops can use to put criminals in jail."
“You’re a solid friend. I knew I could trust you.”
“Anytime, Marcus. I’ll keep watching. She deserves that. It would not sit well with me if Savannah’s ex did either one of them harm and I didn’t try to protect them.”
“Glad I could help, what are friends for, and neighbors look out for each other?”
“You the man, Bro! I am indebted to you.” Marcus said.
After hanging up with him, I set my phone on the table near me, plugging it into the charger I'd brought from my room.
When I finally settled into the makeshift couch bed, I glanced one last time at the closed curtains. I could see into my backyard through a crack I’d left in my curtains.
It bothered me until I got up and closed them all the way. I kept picturing someone popping up in that opening and staring into my house. A shiver tracing my spine at the imagined shadow of a man staring back.
I wasn’t scared. Just cautious. I was determined to make sure this ex-husband didn’t hurt Savannah and Alana. They were worth the sleepless nights and extra anxiety.
Chapter Six
Savannah
Mya and I stayed up late Friday night, sipping wine and laughing as we watched animated classics. The cartoons were a deliberate choice—a cheerful barrier against the looming fear that seemed almost tangible.
I lost count of how many times I thanked her for spending the night and staying through Saturday as well with Alana and me.
“That’s what friends are for,” Mya said.
By Sunday morning, an uneasy calm had settled over me. I almost managed to convince myself that Roger wouldn't show up, that perhaps he wouldn't come after me after all.
He was free now, and I wasn't standing in the way of his new life. But one thought shatters that illusion, slicing through the hope like a jagged edge: our daughter.
