I do my sweep. Front windows: secure. Back door: locked. Cams: normal. There’s zero movement and I try to exhale. I check the hidden panel where the comm gear is stored. Everything’s intact. Then I check the driveway on the cameras again—zooming, panning, scanning for any headlights lingering where they shouldn’t. Nothing.
My pulse doesn’t slow. Because my body doesn’t know how to believe “nothing” anymore.
I head to the kitchen. Salem sits at the table with a blanket around her shoulders, mug in both hands like she’s trying to anchor herself.
Her eyes lift to me, searching. “Was it real?”
I sit across from her, close enough to touch if she needs it, and I keep my voice steady. “I don’t know,” I admit. “But it felt wrong.”
Salem nods slowly, lips pressed together. “Okay.”
I reach for my phone and step into the hall for privacy, turning my back slightly so Salem doesn’t worry. Then I call Arrow.
He picks up immediately. “Talk to me.”
“It might be nothing,” I say, “but I got a bad read in Magnolia Ridge. White van parked weird at the edge of the lot near Atta Boy Brewery. Felt like surveillance.”
Arrow’s voice goes sharper. “Did it follow you?”
“I didn’t let it,” I answer. “We walked in circles. Took the long way. I didn’t see it again.”
“Good,” Arrow says. “Any plates?”
“No,” I admit. “Didn’t want to look too hard and tip it.”
Arrow exhales. “Okay. I’ll flag it. I’ll tell Rae to watch for any reports—local cams, traffic, anything. You back at Rainmaker?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Safehouse is secure. No pings.”
“Keep her inside tonight,” Arrow orders. “No more town until we know.”
My jaw tightens. “Copy.”
Arrow pauses. “Ozzy.”
“Yeah?”
“You did good,” he says quietly. “Calling it early is why we’re still alive.”
I swallow. “Yeah.”
“And Ozzy,” Arrow adds, tone softer, “if Salem gets spooked… remind her we can move you. Maddox Security has other safehouses.”
“I will,” I say.
I hang up and stand in the hallway for a second, staring at the dark window like I can see threats through it. Then I go back to Salem.
She watches my face like she’s trying to read the outcome.
I soften my expression deliberately. “Arrow’s having Rae check it,” I say, keeping it simple. “We’re staying in tonight.”
Salem nods, but I can see the fear still sitting behind her eyes.
I move closer and crouch beside her chair, my hand resting on the edge of the table—not touching her yet, but close. “Hey,” I say gently, my heart pounding. “Look at me.”
Salem’s gaze meets mine.
“You’re safe,” I tell her. “Right now, you’re safe. And if anything changes, I’ll know before they get within a mile of you.”