Has someone moved in? No, I’d have seen moving boxes, wouldn’t I? Maybe it’s whoever Sebastian hired, coming to install the new security system. But why would they be next door? Why would they need to?—
The new owners.
I let out a shaky breath and nearly laugh in relief. Of course. I’d almost forgotten about the building being sold. No one has reached out to us yet with the new lease agreement, but it would make sense, wouldn’t it? They’re inspecting the empty unit, probably getting it ready to rent.
I’ve enjoyed not having neighbors, but maybe it won’t be such a bad thing to have someone living next door. There’s a certain safety in it, in having someone so close by.
I listen to the sounds on the other side of the wall for a moment, unable to tear myself away. I should introduce myself, maybe bring them something later, if they’re still here. A batch of Jade’s cookies, maybe. She makes the greatest, most delicious chocolate chip cookies the world has ever known, topped with a sprinkle of sea salt, and made with fair-trade dark chocolate chunks. Everyone deserves to taste them at least once in their lifetime. And who knows? Maybe a delicious treat might convince them not to raise our rent by too much…
Thunder rolls in the distance, pushing away all my thoughts of chocolate cookies and new neighbors. A fat drop of rain hits the walkway next to my feet. And then another.
“Crap, crap, crap,” I mutter, bolting down the stairs.
By the time I reach the street, the drizzle has turned into an all-out downpour, and I barely make it inside the shop without getting completely soaked.
There’s no sign of Viper outside the shop, skulking around the alley today. I don’t blame him. Who would want to be outside in this weather? But he isn’t inside the shop either, I notice, after I sprint inside. I’m not sure how I know that, but I just…do. There’s a tension between my shoulder blades, a fear that wasn’t there before.
I’mcomfortedby knowing he’s nearby, I realize.
Because he’s the scariest thing out there,that dark voice inside me says. And he’s claimed you as his. He wants you. He won’t let anyone else have you, won’t let them hurt you.
No one but him.
Shut up, shut up, shut up. I shake the rain from my hair, pushing those thoughts away.
Business is slow throughout the day. The weather isn’t exactly welcoming, and the sheets of rain coming down keep foot traffic to a minimum. A few determined customers wander in for coffee and a pastry, but the shop feels empty and far too quiet without our usual crowd of customers. I let Justin cover the back register and take care of replenishing the shelves while I hover near the café, helping Jade bus tables and take orders.
When traffic to the café hits an even worse lull, I do my best to distract myself with all the little chores around the shop that need finishing. A stack of empty cardboard boxes from this week’s deliveries needs to be taken out to the recycling, and I drag them from the stockroom toward the side exit, struggling to wrangle them all.
But something stops me as I’m about to step outside into the alley.
The narrow alley between our building and the next has always been dark and creepy, but the storm makes it even worse. Rain sluices down the sides of the buildings and pools on the concrete, thunder rumbling in the distance, but it’s not the weather that makes me pause, one foot out the door.
Something is wrong.
A chill runs down my spine. I feel like someone is watching me, waiting for me. And there’s a noise, barely discernible over the sounds of the storm. A rustling so faint it’s almost inaudible, coming from the bins. Too deliberate to be just the rain.
Two months ago, I would have told myself it was nothing. Forced myself to laugh it off, convinced myself it was myanxieties getting the best of me, making me paranoid. But now? I glance down the dark alley and feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
Now, I’m learning to trust my intuition. And if my instincts are telling me something is wrong…
I take a step back into the safety of my shop and let the door close.
Backup. I need backup.
Justin is kneeling in front of one of our endcap displays, arranging some new titles, when I find him. He has an eye for this part of the business, setting up the display almost exactly the way I would. I walk up behind him and clear my throat nervously.
“Hey,” I murmur, wringing my hands. He glances up, giving me his full attention. “Can you do me a favor? I think I heard something out in the alley when I was taking out the recycling. Probably nothing, but could you go check?”
“You’re right, it is probably nothing,” he says, turning back to his work. A spark of irritation flares to life inside me at being dismissed so easily, but before I can defend myself, he finishes placing the last book and stands, dusting his hands over his jeans. “But I’m glad you came to get me. If something feels off, then we should check it out.”
“Oh,” I say, stunned at his quick support. “Uh. Yeah, thanks. Oh! I left some boxes by the doors, if you could?—”
“I’ll grab them!” He shoots me an easy grin as he walks off, heading toward the exit.
Huh. I guess I shouldn’t be so shocked, but it’s nice to feel like someone takes my worries seriously.
I drift back to the café where Jade is reorganizing our mugs, clearly starved for things to do.
