Page 46 of Taken Off Camera
“Brave man.” I fiddle with my phone before I shoot off a response.
Micah
Come over. Sebastian is here.
Reading over my shoulder, Sebastian tickles my side. “Are you taunting him?”
“Maybe.” I giggle and push at him, falling onto my side.
With a growl, Sebastian pounces on top of me, tickling under my sweatshirt until I’m howling and gasping for breath.
The hallway alarm goes off, and Sebastian straightens. “Damn. He must have been in the lobby when he texted.”
“Probably,” I wheeze, shoving him off me.
“Straighten your clothes,” he instructs, checking the hall security as he heads for the door. “Your friend brought pastries.”
I push myself off the couch. “That means he feels guilty.”
Sebastian opens the door, revealing Saint, who freezes with his key out. His narrow eyes flick past Sebastian to find me, then back to Sebastian,giving him a head-to-toe assessment that could strip paint.
“You must be the famous Saint,” Sebastian extends his hand. “I’m Sebastian.”
Saint ignores the outstretched hand, stepping around him into my apartment. His boots falter as he spots the new camera mounted near my ceiling. “What the hell is all this?”
Sebastian closes the door, face neutral. “Security upgrades.”
“So I see.” Saint turns in a slow circle, counting each device. “You bugging the place, too?”
I move between them. “Sebastian installed them after what happened last night.”
Saint’s attention snaps to me. “What happened?”
“Someone delivered photos,” I explain, “taken through my window.”
Saint drops the pastry bag on the coffee table, all pretense of a casual visit evaporating. “Through your window? You’re on the sixth floor.”
“Telephoto lens.” I cross my arms. “And a note.”
Sebastian picks up his coat and tools from where they rest on the dining table. “I should head out to give you two some privacy.”
“No,” Saint surprises me by saying. “Stay. If this involves Micah’s safety, I want to hear everything.”
The two men regard each other, an unspoken assessment passing between them. Sebastian replaces his items on the table while Saint claims my armchair, leaving Sebastian and me to share the couch.
Saint leans forward, elbows on his knees. “So, what exactly happened?”
I explain about the package delivered during our date, the photographs, and the threatening message. With each detail, Saint’s expression darkens, his fingers curling into fists until his knuckles turn white.
Saint addresses Sebastian for the first time. “And you installed all this?”
“I did.” Sebastian points to the devices. “Four cameras to cover all entry points. Motion sensors on the windows. Silent alarm connected to both our phones.”
“And the police?”
Sebastian and I exchange a look. “We haven’t contacted them yet.”
Saint snorts. “Because they won’t take it for what it is. An Omega cam boy getting harassed? They’ll say it comes with the territory.”
