A beat of silence fell between us, heavy and grim.
Trigger finally asked the question no one wanted to voice:
“You think he knows she’s up here?”
My jaw clenched. “I think he already suspected. That’s why he came up here, and left the button where we would see it.”
Saint exhaled slowly. “And now he’s confirming.”
I stared down at the street.
The sense of presence hadn’t faded. It had intensified—like the darkness was holding its breath with malicious intent.
“He’s not just watching anymore,” I said quietly. “He’s planning.”
Trigger’s voice hardened. “What’s our move?”
I looked back toward Nora’s closed door.
She lay inside, barely recovered from the nightmare that shook her awake.
And the stalker was outside, watching the windows that led to her.
My voice dropped to lethal calm.
“We fortify.
We double the security.
We lock this building down tight enough that not even air gets in without permission.”
Saint nodded.
Havoc cracked his knuckles.
Trigger stepped forward, posture all Ranger discipline now. “And you, Wolf?”
I turned back to the alley.
To the place where I’d seen a flicker of a human silhouette staring up at her window.
“He wants proximity,” I said. “He wants to feel close. That’s why he came.”
“And what doyouwant?” Trigger asked softly.
I checked the safety on my weapon.
“Distance,” I answered. “Between him and Nora.”
Then—
My voice dropped to something darker.
“And if he doesn’t back off… I’ll handle it.”
Saint didn’t smile.
Neither did Trigger.
