Page 4 of Raven

Mandy stood rigid at the edge of the stairs, staring down the beach—ears forward, hackles raised.

I followed her gaze. A single set of boot prints cut through the sand, leading up to the dunes… and stopping just short of the back fence.

I glanced toward the surf—nothing but wind and waves. But I knew what I saw.

Mandy didn’t bark for nothing.

Someone had been watching.

And they’d been close.

Too close.

Who the hell would be watching our houses?

2

Beatrice

Mike was snoring.Loudly.

I should’ve felt safe in my own bed, with a pile of pillows and a dog who would jump all over anyone coming into my room. That would give me enough time to get out. He may still be a puppy with all that energy. But I knew he watched me carefully.

I hadn’t slept. Not really.

Even after the chaos of helping deliver Lori’s baby—which should’ve knocked me out cold, I was wired. My nerves were still crackling. It wasn’t just adrenaline.

It wasthat feelingagain.

That old sixth sense I couldn’t shake. The kind that had kept me alive more than once. The same one that flared the moment Mandy, the German Shepherd belonging to the ridiculously attractive man next door, went on high alert.

Animals always know.

I glanced at my phone—Three-fifteen a.m.

I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Mike, I didn’t feel like walking him on the beach right now. I padded into the kitchen. I didn’t turn on the light—old habits. Too many nights in too many dark places had taught me how to move in the shadows.

The ocean was a whisper outside my window. Normally calming. But tonight it felt like camouflage.

I pulled the blinds back an inch and scanned the backyard.

Nothing.

No shadows moving. No crunch of gravel. No lights on the beach.

But the air still felt… off.

Too still.

Too quiet.

I slid my hand into the drawer near the sink and wrapped my fingers around the handle of my gun. Just touching it made my heart slow a little.

It wasn’t paranoia if they were actually looking for you.

And someonewas. Sometimes I could feel them watching me, but I’ve never seen anyone.

I just didn’t know if he was out there. I’m sure he’s dead. He couldn’t have survived that explosion.

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