“I have no idea.” Olivia blew out a long breath of air and surveyed the damage. Two squares in the window were now mangled messes of jagged glass and metal. The gaping hole allowed cool evening air to seep into the house. “I can’t believe someone would do this to me.”
Dion inspected the window further. “Man. Who did you piss off? These windows are double-paned like the ones at my house. They had to have thrown something pretty hard to break through both.”
“Unbelievable,” Olivia whispered and made her way around the living room.
“Be careful about walking in this area. You don’t want to get cut,” Dion warned as Olivia searched to find out what object had been thrown.
“Who does something like this in our neighborhood?” Olivia pondered, baffled by her own question.
A sand-colored rock, the size of an orange, lay on the floor near the sofa. “Check this out.” Dion bent to pick it up. “Here’s the weapon. Good thing you weren’t hit by this thing. It would’ve knocked you out.”
Olivia’s eyes widened with the realization of the danger she had been put into. She noticed another stone laying on the floor at the entrance of the kitchen. She grabbed it and held it in the air for Dion to examine. “This is the second one that whizzed by my head when I ran for cover. I can’t believe this. They used the rocks from my garden.”
“We need to call the police right now,” Dion suggested. He removed the cellphone from his pocket.
Olivia’s phone rang. She tiptoed to the sofa and found it splattered with wine on a cushion. She picked it up with two fingers and wiped it on her already stained pajamas before answering the speakerphone.
“Perra loca,” a man’s voice screamed through the speaker. “Stay away from my cousin’s man. Or else.” The phone call ended.
“Damn, Olivia. Someone is mad as hell.” Dion’s mouth hung open.
Olivia tilted her head and stared at the phone in her hand.
Twisting her lips and nodding her head with the revelation of the attacker, she gazed at Dion with a sense of calmness. “Don’t call the police. I know who did this. I’ll handle it.”
“Are you sure?” Dion waved his phone in her direction.
“I’m sure. I know what’s going on here,” Olivia replied.
“Okay,” Dion said with hesitation before slipping his phone into his pants pocket. “Well, I think you need some reinforcement around here. You may not think help is necessary. After what happened tonight, I want my friends to keep you company.”
“Your friends? Who?”
Dion reached into his back pocket. He removed a gun and laid it on the living room table. “Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson. Most reliable bodyguards you’ll ever need.”
Olivia chuckled. “Your gun? It’s not necessary. I already have my own.”
Dion nodded his head as if impressed. “Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. I love women who know how to care for themselves.”
“I bought one a few years ago after having a crazy bodybuilder boyfriend who stalked me.” Olivia rolled her eyes in remembrance.
“Your man stalked you?” Dion’s eyes bugged in surprise.
“Yeah. A guy named Ross. After I found out he failed to tell me he had a wife and kids, I ended things with him. He didn’t handle it too well. Next thing I knew, he started hanging around my job and house. Fortunately for me, he ended up being arrested for dealing drugs out of a smoothie shop he owned.”
“I remember hearing about him. Wow. You dated him?” Dion raised his eyebrow. “His case was all over the news when he and his ring of dealers were busted.”
“Yep. I think his wife turned him in. He deserved what he got. Thank God, I never had to use my gun on him. I would’ve been ready though.”
“Alright, my sister.”
“A weapon wouldn’t have helped to resolve this situation tonight though. Everything happened too fast for me to respond.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Dion tucked the gun back into his pants. “Well, you need to stay on high alert after what happened.”
“I will.” Olivia peered at Dion with curiosity. “Do you always go around with your gun strapped on you? I heard this area has a low crime rate. I didn’t realize we need a neighborhood watchman.”
“Always. Somebody has to protect our homes.” Dion puffed his chest out with pride.
“Well, I’m glad I have extra coverage since you’re always on the lookout. Like I mentioned though, I know who did this. It’s not someone I would use a weapon on unless they entered into my house.”
“Based on what I’m seeing, they used a weapon on you and didn’t care if they could’ve hurt you.” Dion scowled. “Are you sure it isn’t one of those people who’ve been harassing you after the house fire? A few of those notes sounded threatening to me. You should’ve gone to the police to show them what you’ve been receiving.” She’d been transparent with Dion about her case. He proved to be trustworthy and a good friend.
“I know. I believe the people who sent those are harmless. Probably some kids or their parents. I hope they’ll stop pestering me at some point. I can’t imagine pulling a gun out to shoot one of them unless they attack me,” Olivia explained.
Dion snapped his fingers as if he’d remembered something. “Wait. You’re on probation. Are you allowed to have a gun?”
Olivia nodded. “Since I received deferred adjudication for my crime, I’m able to own a gun.”
“Good. You need to protect yourself.” Dion surveyed the damage. “Those rocks could've killed you.”
“I know.” Olivia shrugged and took another look at the rocks.
“My concern is what will you do if they come back to try to do more serious harm?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep my little friend handy to enable you to sleep in peace tonight.” Olivia threw up her hands in surrender.
“Good. I’ll put some tarp on the window. Let me know if you need anything else. I’ll keep an eye on things tonight in case
