“What the fuck?” Carter asked, then winced, his gaze shooting toward the kitchen. Turning back to Ben and Violet, he said, “Any idea what’s going on?”
“None. I installed motion sensor security lights. He may have come back and discovered the lights. That could be why he’s taking pictures and keeping an eye on the yard from across the street.”
“I’m going to give this to a detective who works in the precinct in this area. I know there might not be much he can do, but at least I’ll pass it on.”
Ben held Carter’s gaze and nodded. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I’m stepping things up.” Anger flooded his being, but his training had him already calculating a mission that included his family’s safety. And Violet, Charlie, and Lily are my family.
“Oh, Ben, do you think the kids are in danger?”
He squeezed Violet’s shoulder as he shifted on the sofa, facing her. “Babe, I want you and the kids to move in with me and Babciu. There’s plenty of room, and that way I know you’ll be safe until we know what’s going on. I’ll set up security cameras on the outside of your house.”
If he expected Violet to argue or disagree, he breathed a sigh of relief when she held his gaze and then nodded slowly. “Okay… yes… whatever we need to do.”
“I don’t think anyone is after them, but I’m not taking a chance. But we’ll get you all settled in Babciu’s house, and then I’m going to get started here.” He stood as Carter did, and the two men shook hands.
“I promise I’ll let you know what the detective says,” Carter said, placing his hand on Violet’s shoulder. He called for Tara, and she appeared with the children.
Violet and Tara hugged goodbye with promises to get together soon, and Ben walked the Fiskes to the front door. Charlie and Lily stood to the side, their eyes wide as Ben called them over and squatted to their level again.
“Okay, guys, here’s the deal. I want to make sure you and your mom are safe. So, we’re going to gather your things and for a while, you three are going to move in with me and Babciu.”
“Really?” Charlie asked, his eyes wide. “Can I sleep in her top room, the one that goes out onto the roof deck?”
“Absolutely not,” Violet interjected. “The last thing I need is for you to sleepwalk and end up on the roof! We’ll sleep wherever Anna allows!”
Ben chuckled as he ruffled Charlie’s hair, glad that to a six-year-old, his enthusiasm had great recuperative powers. “I need to go over and let Babciu know what’s going on. You two help your mom by listening to her as you pack up what you need.”
Lily appeared deep in thought before she asked, “How long will we stay?”
Ben and Violet exchanged a look. “I don’t know, honey. But until we know what’s going on, we’ll all be one big happy family over at Babciu’s house, okay?”
At the word family, both kids grinned. “I’ll go pack! We won’t be a trio anymore,” Charlie shouted as he ran upstairs. “We’ll be a quintet!”
Lily followed her brother with just as much energy, and Ben turned to pull Violet closer. “The kids will be fine. But how about you?”
Her gaze shifted over his shoulder to the now-empty stairs. Heaving a sigh, she said, “Jesus, Ben, earlier… when I raced outside, if I could have reached that man, I would have pulled him limb from limb.”
“I know, sweetheart. I felt the same when I got the call from Charlie. Terrified. Fuckin’ terrified. Never felt that sense of helplessness until I got in here and saw that you all were okay.”
She nodded slowly. “The kids seem okay. They’re obviously thrilled we get to go to your house.”
“Speaking of that, let me go talk to Babciu.” Seeing Violet open her mouth and knowing she was about to thwart his plans, he rushed, “She’ll be thrilled. I promise.” Kissing her lightly, he nudged her up the stairs and hustled through the back door, hopping the fence as he ran to explain what was happening to his grandmother.
An hour later, he ushered Violet and the kids through the upstairs. “Okay, Charlie, this is your room. It used to be mine, so I hope you like it.”
“Wow, it’s bigger than my room at my house,” Charlie said, his eyes wide and his smile firmly planted on his face.
“Well, when my grandfather worked to put both houses together, there were six smaller bedrooms up here and he enlarged them when he tore out walls and made four from the six.”
Violet entered the room with Charlie and helped him put some clothes into a drawer that Ben had cleared out as well as a few of his toys into the corner. Ben led Lily to the room next to Charlie’s. “This one is yours. Babciu loves this room because it gets great morning sunlight.”
“Oh, it’s pretty,” Lily enthused as she looked around the bedroom decorated with a bright yellow, green, and blue bedspread, pillows, and curtains. Violet popped in to make sure Lily’s items were put away as well.
He reached out and snagged her wrist, pulling her to him. Leaning over, he spoke softly. “You okay, babe?”
She nodded, but he could feel her nerves strung tautly. He led her across the hall and they entered the main bedroom. “This was Babciu and Grandpa’s room which she no longer uses since she has turned the sitting room downstairs into her bedroom. Honestly, I think she’s happier down there anyway. She said this room felt large and empty when she was by herself.”
Violet walked over to the low queen-sized bed centered against one wall and turned around. “It’s lovely, but it seems much more than I need. Why don’t you sleep here?”
“There’s another bedroom next to this one. It’s fine for me.”
“This is so generous for you and Anna to share your home with us—”
“But Mom, Ben said we’re one big family. That makes it okay for us to be here.” Charlie had popped his head through the door and grinned up at them before running into Lily’s room.
Violet rolled her eyes at her son’s exuberance, then turned to Ben. “I don’t mind telling you that I’m completely overwhelmed right now. I just quit my job, and on Monday start a new one. I just chased a man who I think was taking pictures of my children. And now, I’m out of my house for a bit and living in yours.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. With one hand on the back of her head, he pressed her cheek against his heartbeat. “I won’t let anything happen to you or the kids. I’m going to see to it. Believe me?”
She nodded against his chest. “And us?”
“Together, we’re stronger than ever.” He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her. “Come on, let’s get downstairs. I know Babciu is dying to find out how everyone is doing and wants to make sure you’re settled in.”
By dinnertime, they were gathered around the table. Babciu’s smile was as wide as the children’s, and Ben knew she was thrilled to have a house full of people she loved.
“Anna, I can’t thank you enough,” Violet began. “We’ll all pitch in to help with everything, right, kids?”
Charlie agreed immediately, swinging his legs while eating. Lily, on her best behavior with her napkin settled on her lap, beamed toward the others at the table. Charlie finished first and looked around the table, his forehead scrunched.