I peek through the blinds and look down at the street outside the bakery. The normal, everyday crowds walk through their normal, everyday lives while I feel like my own is anything but normal.

I don’t run from my problems. I always fight them head-on. But today, I’m stuck. Now that the adrenaline has faded, I’m paralyzed.

They went after my baby.

They went after his baby. Milo risked his life to save us but I panicked in his arms and pushed him away.

I glance around Vincent and Evey’s apartment. It really does feel cramped. It’s about to get worse with me and Charlotte hiding out up here but we won’t be here forever.

Hopefully.

Things will go back to the normal, everyday routine but I’m not sure how it could. No, scratch that.

I’m not sure I want it to.

The door opens at the bottom of the stairs and I listen to the familiar stomp of Vincent’s tough stride. He walks in with a duffel bag in one hand and Trevor follows close behind him.

“How did it go?” I ask.

Vincent reaches into the bag. “Cell phone,” he says as he pulls mine out.

“Yes! Thank you.”

He tosses it underhand and I catch it. “Also grabbed a few pairs of clothes for you and Charlotte.”

“How did the house look?” I ask, dreading the question.

“It’s trashed,” he says. “Doesn’t look like they stole much — if anything — so I think they just wanted to piss you off.”

I flex my jaw. “It’s working. Did you talk to Sally?” I ask Trevor.

“Yeah,” he answers. “I explained the situation. She’s keeping it out of the press for as long as she can and wants you to stay here until we can figure out who attacked you.”

“Sounds good,” I say.

Trevor shakes his head. “How did you know they were coming?” he asks.

“I didn’t. I saw them park in the street outside,” I say, making it up as I go. “Saw the guns, grabbed Charlotte, and ran out the back. Once they kicked the door in, I put her in the car and bolted.”

“Where’d you go?”

“Motel,” I answer. “Paid cash and laid low until morning.”

“Lucky break,” Vincent says, his nose curling. “You looked outside just in time?”

He senses bullshit. If there’s anyone more tuned to it than me, it’s my ex-Navy SEAL little brother. “Well, sometimes paranoia works out,” I say, deflecting.

He nods.

Trevor crosses his arms. “You didn’t see their faces?”

I shake my head. “No, I didn’t get a good look at them.”

“I’d bet a mint it was that damn taco guy.”

I frown. “Milo?”

“Yeah, who else?”

“No. He’s not the type.”

“There you go again, Anna,” he says. “He’s a mob schmuck with a criminal record and a score to settle,” he argues. “Who else could it be?”

I bite my tongue. I want to defend him more but it might look suspicious if I do. I have no reason to side with Milo… that they know of.

I shrug. “I don’t know.” I rub the back of my neck. “Anyway, thanks for checking out the house,” I tell them. “I really appreciate it.”

Trevor nods. “I should get back to the station and find someone’s ass to kick.”

I gesture to the stairs. “I’ll walk you out.”

I avoid Vincent’s eyes as I walk down the stairs but I feel his hard stare all the way down. Trevor follows me down to the bakery kitchen and pauses by the back exit.

“I’ll keep you updated on what we find,” he says. “Stay low for a while, all right?”

“Will do.” I cross my arms. “Thank you again, Trevor. Life constantly reminds me that I can count the number of people I trust on one hand. It’s nice to know you’re still among them, even after all the bullshit my stubborn gut gets us into.”

He smiles. “Which finger am I?”

I flip my middle finger up and we laugh.

“I was hoping for the pinky,” he jokes.

“Maybe someday you’ll get there.”

He bites his inner cheek. “Listen, Anna, if you and Charlotte ever need anything, I’m here.” He lays a soft touch on my arm and makes eye contact. “Anything. That’s the way it is, no matter how many arguments we get into during a case. Okay?”

I look down at his fingers wrapped around my elbow. “Uh, thanks, Trev,” I say, easing back. “But I think we’ll be okay.”

His hand lingers on me for another moment before he lets go. “Stay safe, partner,” he says.

“You, too.”

He slides his sunglasses on and steps out into the alleyway. I close the door behind him, giving it a good yank to make sure it latches.

“Anything else I need to know?”

I look at Vincent standing at the bottom of the stairs. “Nope,” I say, shrugging. “I’m gonna go check on Charlotte.”

His eyes narrow but he doesn’t ask questions. “I’ll bring up some lunch,” he says. “Coffee?”

“And lots of it,” I say with a nod. “Thanks.”

I pass by him and head back upstairs, my guts churning with each step. I hate lying to my brother. I’m not even sure why I did. Milo’s officially a dirty little secret. That will come back to bite me eventually but I can come up with a good excuse before then.

Hopefully.