Daphne’s POV

You know danger isn’t far when the silence outside your house feels like it’s holding its breath.

It started with the headlights.

They didn’t belong on my street too still, too patient. The kind of light that watches instead of passing by.

I stood by the kitchen window, phone pressed to my ear, waiting for Xavier to pick up. The call rang once, twice, then went straight to voicemail.

I tried again. Still nothing.

“Mommy?” Christian’s voice broke through the quiet. He ...