And the thought of anyone watching her that way made something dark coil inside my chest.
I scanned the yard first. Nothing.
Then the driveway.
Then the neighbor’s shrubs.
A branch snapped behind the shed.
I pivoted instantly, weapon raised, heartbeat steady.
“Don’t shoot!” Trigger hissed, stumbling into view.
I swore under my breath. “Trigger, what the hell are you—?”
Saint appeared next, moving like shadow and steel. “We saw movement across the street.”
Havoc followed, scanning the yard with a grim look. “Definitely not a raccoon.”
Trigger pointed at Nora’s house. “Did HE come back? Did you see something? Did the psycho creep try to peek in the window while you were—”
Saint elbowed him. Hard. “Not the time.”
I turned toward the side of the house.
Another branch cracked.
Saint lifted his rifle. Havoc flanked. Trigger ducked behind the grill.
I stepped forward, voice low and lethal.
“Come out.”
Silence.
Then—
A shadow slipped behind the old cedar tree at the fence line.
Tall.
Deliberate.
Not running—just… watching.
My grip tightened. “Show yourself.”
The shadow didn’t move.
Didn’t run.
Didn’t flinch.
Trigger whispered, “Is he—staring at us?!”
Yes.
He was.
