I felt it even without seeing his face.
A cold, steady, patient stare.
A hunter evaluating prey and obstacles.
Havoc muttered, “This guy’s got nerve.”
Saint’s jaw flexed. “He’s testing us.”
I took a step forward. “Get away from the house.”
Still nothing.
Then, slowly—mockingly—the shadow eased back into the deeper dark until he was simply gone.
Trigger whimpered. “Nope. NOPE. He evaporated. Like a demon.”
“He didn’t evaporate,” Saint said. “He retreated. Which means he’ll return.”
Havoc looked at me. “You staying here tonight?”
“I’m not leaving her alone again,” I said.
Trigger brightened inappropriately. “So… you’re sleeping over?”
Saint groaned. “Trigger. Shut up.”
But Trigger kept talking. “No, I mean it. You should. She’ll feel safer. And also you guys were definitely doing something before we got here because—”
“Trigger,” I snapped, “finish that sentence and I’ll bury your phone in concrete.”
He saluted. “Copy that.”
Havoc clapped my shoulder once, heavy and approving. “Good. Keep her close.”
The guys fanned out to check the rest of the street. I watched until their lights faded, until the night swallowed everything again.
Then I went back inside.
Nora
She stood exactly where I’d left her—
bare feet on the rug, hair tousled, shirt still lying somewhere on the floor.
Her eyes latched onto mine instantly.
“Wolf? Was someone out there?”
I locked the door.
Then the deadbolt.
Then the chain.
My pulse was still too loud.
“He was there,” I said quietly. “He didn’t try to break in. He didn’t run. He just… watched.”
