CHAPTER FOUR
The smell of the bread and the focus she had on her baking efforts were all that encompassed her mind and soul at the moment—something that always happened whenever she wanted to impress, and she certainly wanted to do so now. Sara had to be the most easygoing boss she has ever had. One who actually allowed her the freedom to allow her creative side to take the reins, and Eva had nothing but appreciation for that. She wanted to repay back that appreciation by making Sara’s bakery delicacies taste better than ever so that all the owner’s loyal customers would remain satisfied, and new ones would be coming in spades.
Because of this concentration, it took her a while to notice the presence in the bakery, one that wasn’t attached to the server-slash-cashier up front. When she did finally notice the presence, Eva felt her back stiffen involuntarily, her hands pausing from kneading dough meant for tomorrow. She strained her ears to listen and found only faint murmurs—the server girl, Jenny, speaking in a cheerful tone, and a man responding in a rather calm one. Eva wiped her hands on her apron, her nerves increasing as the presence only confirmed one thing.
This was the same one that she’d felt lurking around her home for the past few days now.
Eva suddenly felt her heart beating a mile a minute, followed by her hands shaking before she could control it. She inwardly scolded herself and fisted her hands in the dough, counting numbers in her head in a slow, steady manner. It helped calm her heart and stop the shaking, and she had to remain that way for a good while before she found at least a semblance of her control back. She waited, starting up on the kneading again and using it as her defense mechanism against any kind of nervous tic.
She kept waiting.
About five minutes later, the call came in the form of Jenny sticking her head into the kitchen.
“Hey, Eva. There’s a man here who wants to meet the baker. He says he wants to tell you personally about what he thinks of the pastries.”
Reasonable enough excuse. Eva nodded towards the girl and told her she’d be there shortly. She kneaded a few more times before washing her hands. Then she finally slipped out, watching as a man filled his tray with her delicacies.
He looked as normal as they came—blond hair, tall stature, pale skin. He looked up from the tray when she approached him, showing piercing blue eyes that looked like ice crystals.
No, not normal. No one has eyes that piercing and mesmerizing.
“Good morning. You were asking about my pastries?”
The man smiled, and it was like the room grew a tad bit colder. His presence now was clearer, filling the air and practically making her choke with it. Eva felt his darkness a few nights ago, but having it this close only confirmed what her brain told her: this man—creature—was dangerous. How Jenny beside her couldn’t feel it, she couldn’t understand. But Eva did her best to meet the man’s eyes.
“Yes. You have the best pastries I’d ever tasted in a long time. The croissant is magnificent.”
She hadn’t changed a damn thing from the old chef’s croissant recipe. The server girl whispered to her that she was going to take her first break, then disappeared to the back.
The man held out a hand.
Eva forced herself not to shake at the thought that she was now alone with him. She smiled, making it as relaxed as possible. Then she took the hand he offered and shook it, feeling his grip tighten before he pulled her forward and…gave her a light kiss on the back of her hand. It sent shivers down her spine, but not the kind of shivers you would hope for.
She held that in and slowly took her hand away.
“Thank you,” she replied. “I’m glad someone appreciates them.”
“I’m a baker myself, though not as sophisticated as you,” the man said. “My name is Sam.”
“Eva. Our pastries are simple but created with lots of love.”
He nodded in approval. “That’s the best there is.” He slipped out a card and handed it over to her, watching as she read it. Sam Hall. It looked legit enough, but somehow, she knew it wasn’t. “I actually want to learn more and was hoping you could give me some tips. Would it be possible for us to meet up somewhere? I can treat you to dinner in return.”
Alarm bells went off in her head, dull but insistent. He patiently waited for her answer, and Eva knew she had to answer to make him leave.
“I’ll let you know. Can I call you at the number on the card when I’m free? I’m pretty busy right now, having just started here.”
His smile never wavered, and he nodded his head. “Of course. I’ll be waiting.”
The last statement sounded almost like a threat—a pleasant threat, but a threat nonetheless. Eva tended to the man’s purchases, then watched as he left with one last smile in her direction. The bell clinked on the door when the door closed, and the man walked down the corner of the street before disappearing completely. It was only when he was really gone, his presence no longer there that Eva finally allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief. Her hand trembled, and she could only stare at the door for a long time.
Finally, Jenny came back, allowing Eva to slip back into the kitchen. She took in the smells of the pies she had in the oven and closed her eyes at that very odd encounter. She knew it wouldn’t be the last one.
And she knew she needed to protect herself and the kids now more than ever. Something was amiss.
*****
There was no presence following her on her way home, and nothing after dinner. Eva told the kids not to go out tonight, something she thought Ana would argue about. But surprisingly enough, the girl simply nodded her head in response, though it was Peter who dragged Ana upstairs and cajoled her to tell a bedtime story. There was some kind of dynamic going on there—almost like Peter was trying to calm Ana down, being the rock even though he was younger. Eva decided she really should pay more attention and figure out what this was.
It wasn’t until an hour later that Eva heard the knock on the door—swift, sharp sounds that had her back stiffening. She was just about to get ready for bed, sleepiness already taking its toll on her, but now she was instantly alert, and her heart was pounding. She told herself that it was nothing—she had neighbors after all, and she couldn’t sense a presence. There was no need to panic.
With that thought in mind, Eva went to the door and slowly opened it.
Her breath stopped.
There was a man standing there—another stranger. But whatever danger the first man held was nothing compared to the one here in front of her. He radiated power in waves, and she couldn’t even sense his presence, which only meant he was good at hiding it.
Very, very good.
This man had brown hair falling in short waves and the most charming smile directed at her. It wasn’t a smile meant to chill the air, but one meant to brighten it. Somehow, that felt more dangerous. He was tall, not so broad but not slim either, and she could see subtle muscles underneath his dark gray crewneck sweater. But his most arresting features had to be his eyes: they looked like the color of a tropical ocean.
Hypnotic.
She was expecting some kind of introduction—some bullshit one like that Sam guy in the bakery gave her, feeding her lies that he thought she wouldn’t see past. But his words, said in a deep voice, had her blinking.
“My name is Raz, and I’m a friend. I ask for entrance into this house.”
Just like that, he confirmed to her what he was.
And just like that, Eva held out what she was holding behind her and pointed it straight at him.