We sit like that for a while.Her head on my shoulder.My hand in her hair.Just breathing.
Then she says quietly, "I slept better with you here."
"I know.You said."
"I mean it.I didn't realize how exhausted I was until I actually slept through most of the night."
"You're safe with me."
"I know."She lifts her head and looks at me."That's what scares me."
Before I can respond, before I can ask what she means, there's a knock at the door.
Sharp.Deliberate.Three times.
Enya goes rigid in my arms, every muscle locking up.Her breathing stops then comes back fast and shallow.
"Enya—"
"That's how he knocks."Her voice is barely a whisper.Strangled."Exactly like that.Three times, hard, like he's announcing himself.Like he wants me to know it's him."
My blood runs cold.Rage floods through me, hot and immediate.
"Stay here."
"Devin, don't?—"
"Stay behind me."
I stand and move toward the door.Enya's right behind me, shaking so hard I can hear her teeth chattering.
"Devin, please…”
"I'm just looking.I'm not opening it."
I peer through the peephole.Nothing.No one in the hallway.Just empty corridor and harsh fluorescent lighting.
But there's something on the floor.A folded piece of paper, white against the worn carpet.Slid under the door.
Fuck.
My hands curl into fists, every instinct screaming to rip the door open and chase whoever was just here.But I can't leave her.Can't risk it.
I open the door carefully, checking the hallway again.Left.Right.Both ways clear.Still empty.
Whoever was here is gone.
I pick up the paper and unfold it with hands that want to shake but won't.Can't show fear.Can't let him win.
Handwritten.Block letters.Deliberate.Three words.
I SEE YOU.
Rage floods through me, hot and immediate and barely controlled.My hands shake as I stare at the note, vision narrowing, pulse pounding in my ears.
He was here.Just now.Outside her door.Close enough to slide this under.Close enough to knock.Close enough to hurt her if he'd wanted to.
Close enough.
