I lit a cigarette in the dark city, holding my dog, Eber, by his leather leash. The only reason I had him out was to bark at anything that moved and alert me. I didn’t need anyone going out after dark, especially with all the murders and kidnappings going on. Ever since Kenny Ackerman came back, I’ve been on eggshells.

Eber suddenly pulled against his leash, looking at a dark alleyway. I raised a brow, thinking he simply spotted a squirrel before he barking tore through the silence.

I cursed softly, pulling out a gun from my belt.

“Show your face already. You’ve been caught.” I called out over Eber’s growls.

The shadow moved and suddenly, a woman showed her face. I blinked before stuffing my gun back into its holster and wrapping my hand over Eber’s snout, squeezing him until he shut up.

But, I unclipped his leash and dropped it to the ground, loud enough for her to hear. I only stared at the woman. People who disobeyed these rules needed to be scared. That was the only way they’d learn.