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“Listen, why don’t you head home and you two study. I’ll keep an eye on Sam.”

She shakes her head. “No, I can’t ask you to do that. Besides, I know Tessa’s at the bar tonight, and I can’t call her.”

“I know she wouldn’t mind. I planned on seeing her tonight anyway. Now I’ll wait for her here and not head over to the bar.”

She bites her lower lip. She looks over her shoulder again and then meets my stare. “All right. Thank you.”

As I walk Sarah and her friend out, I continue down the small path towards the street. I stand there and stretch my hands over my head, bringing my face towards the stars, or what you can see in the city. When I bring my head back down, I discreetly scan the neighborhood, and that’s when I notice a dark figure walking down the street, away from Tessa’s apartment.

That’s right, motherfucker, walk the fuck away.

Tessa

The paranoia that I’ve lived with since that fateful day is on high alert tonight. I feel like I’m being watched and it’s freaking me out. I practically ran to my car after my shift. As soon as my car stops in front of my apartment, I have a sensation of relief, and I’m sure it’s mainly because of the figure who’s standing right outside my front door.

Hawk.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Sarah?” I ask as I walk up.

He doesn’t answer. He merely pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around me. My body doesn’t stiffen, and my heart rate doesn’t spike. In fact, I feel safer than I’ve felt in such a long time.

“How was your shift?” He pulls himself back and studies my face.

“It was work. Nothing more.”

His lips form a hard line as he takes his eyes from me and looks out towards the street. “Let’s get you inside.” He places his hand on my lower back and ushers me inside.

“Hawk, what’s going on? Is Sam asleep?”

“He’s fine.” He directs me to sit down on the couch and takes a seat right next to me. “I wanted to talk to you about Phil Jensen.”

I swallow past the nerves. “What about him?”

“Please don’t freak out, but the other night I saw him lurking outside your apartment.”

“You saw him outside? When? What happened? Did you confront him?”

He rubs his hand over his head before he brings his eyes to mine. “I confronted him, yes.”

“Hawk–”

“No, Tessa, don’t Hawk me. He’s creepy, and I don’t think his actions are in an innocent or friendly manner. Did you know that he owns this complex?”

“Wait, what?”

“Yes. He owns this complex. He’s owned it since right after his father died.”

I think about the notice of management change. It’s been years. He’s owned it for years. “Wait, it’s a corporation, not a single person.”

“It’s under his father’s corporation.”

“Okay, so he owns the building.”

“And he’s been following you. When I came here last night and tonight, I saw him walking away from your apartment. I told him the other night to leave you alone, and he’s not taking my advice.”

“You confronted him last night too?”

“No, the other night. Listen, Tessa, I don’t like what’s going on here. And I’m a little surprised that you aren’t as worried about this as I am.”