The relief that crashed through me almost knocked the breath from my lungs. That was Eli's voice on the camera.
My eyes shot back to my phone to watch the feed. Eli appeared at the end of the hall, his expression firm and his posture rigid as he walked quickly to put himself in front of Mrs Cavanagh.
The puffed-up aggression bled out of Marcus all at once. I was surprised that Eli's presence seemed to be enough to knock the wind out of whatever act he was putting on. I still couldn't see his face, but his posture relaxed as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Well," he sneered, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look who's here."
Eli didn't flinch. He didn't respond to the jab, didn't even blink. His voice stayed even, but I could hear the edge underneath. "You need to leave." He wasn't yelling. Wasn't baiting. But every word hit sharp. The kind of sharp that made it clear he was holding back more than he let on.
Marcus gave a humourless laugh. "I'm just here to talk to Rowan. You don't need to be involved."
"You've got no business being here. Walk away."
The silence that followed felt endless.
I stared at the feed, heart thudding. Marcus didn't move. Didn't speak. I braced for the lashing out that came whenever someone tried to stand up to him.
But it didn't happen. He stepped back, gave Eli one last look, and walked down the hall out of the camera's view.
And that was it. He left.
I didn't even notice how tightly I'd been holding myself until the tension released from my body. My breath stuttered out, ragged and uneven, and my chest all but collapsed on itself. My whole body sagged with relief.
Marcus was gone. For now, at least.
I didn't register anything else until I heard two short knocks at the door.
"Ro, it's me."
Eli's voice. He sounded as on edge as I felt.
I shoved the phone into my pocket and forced myself to move. My legs still shook, but this time they held my weight. I pushed upright, propping myself against the wall for balance. The walk to the door took longer than it should've, but I made it.
I undid all the locks and pulled on the knob.
Eli looked at me, and whatever he saw on my face made his brow crease. His shoulders dropped slightly like he was trying to ease out of the defensive posture he'd held seconds ago, but the concern didn't leave his eyes.
I must've looked like hell. My hands still quivered a little. My face was probably pale. Of course he'd be worried.
He stepped inside and gently closed the door behind him. "You okay?" he asked, his voice much gentler than it had been in the hallway.
I couldn't really answer that. My throat felt tight. The adrenaline still buzzed in my limbs. I didn't know what "okay" even meant anymore. "I can't believe he actually showed up here."
Eli wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Come sit down, yeah? You're shaking."
I let him guide me to the sofa. My legs didn't exactly protest, but they wobbled the second I let go of the doorframe. He stayed close, and we both eased onto the cushions.
I leaned forward to rest my elbows on my knees, trying to catch my breath and not fall apart all over again. Eli didn't say anything, but his hand stayed steady against my back. It calmed my nerves enough that I could start to get the adrenaline under control.
I was more grateful than I could say that he talked me into installing that camera. Marcus had come far too close for comfort today. Without that extra set of eyes on the door... Ididn't even want to think about what could've happened.
"I can't keep doing this," I said finally. My voice came out rough. "I'm tired, Eli. I'msofucking tired of being scared all the time."
I didn't have to see his face to realise he didn't know how to respond. His silence spoke volumes. Despite that, just having him near kept the panic from taking over again.
I stared at the floor. "I just keep waiting for him to come back. And every time I think I’ve got it together, he finds another way in. I don't even get a say in anything."
"Yes, you do," he said quietly. "You always do."
I wasn't sure I believed that.
