Night time scares me more than anything, but it comes and goes without any issues. Having the alarm gives me peace of mind, but if Bryan is an undercover agent, he probably knows how to disarm them.

“What’s on your mind, cupcake?” Jake asks from the passenger seat. The bandage is off his head now, and I can see the tiny incision where the doctor had to drain his blood.

Shrugging, I turn down the street toward the bakery. “Nothing, really,” I lie. “I feel bad for dragging you out to the bakery.”

He rubs a hand up my thigh. “I don’t mind. I like watching you work.”

“It’s only one cake. I totally forgot about it, until Vikki found the order form. She has it all baked and ready for me. All I have to do is decorate it.”

“It’s okay, Ellie. I’ll just eat all of your chocolate-covered strawberry truffles.”

I burst out laughing. “Vikki won’t mind. She’ll be glad to know you love them.”

By the time we get to the bakery, it’s late morning. Jake and I had slept in and it felt great. We haven’t been able to do that in a long time. Feeling his arms around me when we woke up was the best feeling in the world. It’s something I don’t want to ever take for granted. In the blink of an eye, he could’ve been gone.

Vikki has everything ready to go when we walk in. Her eyes light up when she sees Jake and she flings her arms around him. “Looking good.”

He winks at her. “Thanks. Got any of those chocolate-covered strawberry truffles?”

She takes his arm and leads him over to the display case. “Tons. They’re all yours.”

While they talk about anything and everything, I get busy decorating a little girl’s fifth birthday cake. She loves Rainbow Dash from My Little Pony, so the cake is nothing but color. The inside layers are a rainbow of swirls, and the outside is going to match. It’s not very difficult, just time consuming with all the colors.

When the cake’s done, I help Vikki by making a few batches of giant sugar cookies, so she can put icing on them. Jake even helps, which makes my day even that more fantastic. Out of everything that’s happened, having him in the kitchen at my bakery has been one of the best days of my life. He’s always been too busy to see me in action.

Saying our goodbyes to Vikki, we head out the back door. I look up at Jake and I can’t help but smile.

He stops and places his hands on either side of my head, pressing his body against mine. “Why are you grinning like that?”

I wrap my arms around his waist. “I’m happy you came with me today. It feels like it brought us closer.”

His gaze saddens. “I know I’ve been working a lot lately. You have to know I’m doing it for our future.”

Placing a finger over his lips, I nod. “I know. I just wish you knew how much I missed you.”

He brushes the hair off my face. “Things are going to change when we’re in Arizona, Ellie. I won’t have to travel while we’re there. We can be together every single day. You’ll eventually get tired of me.”

I shake my head. “Not going to happen.” His lips press against mine and I melt into his arms. However, everything stops when my phone beeps with an incoming text. I freeze, while Jake tenses.

He slowly steps back, a murderous glare aimed at my purse. “If that’s him, I’m going to lose my shit.”

Heart pounding out of my chest, I pull out my phone.

xxx-xxx-6334: I remember when we used to kiss like that. All you’re doing is pissing me off more.

Jake grabs my phone and reads it, eyes wide with rage. “Son of a bitch!” He turns toward the parking lot, and I wrap my hands around his arm, using all my strength to hold him back.

“You are in no way, shape, or form ready to fight this out, Jake. We don’t even know where he is.”

He stops, but continues to look around, eyes blazing. “I’m going to kill him.”

Panic engulfs me, and I push him harder back toward the bakery. If he were to get in a fight in his condition, there’s no way he could win against someone in top shape. I cup his face to bring his attention to me. “Jake, let’s go back inside, until you cool down.” When he realizes my hands are shaking uncontrollably, he snaps out of it and follows me inside.

Vikki looks at us like we’ve lost our minds. “Did I miss something?”

Jake leans against the wall and takes in a few deep breaths, while I show Vikki the message.

“He’s out there, Vik. I don’t know why anyone can’t find him.”

She scoffs. “He’s smart, that’s why.”

Jake blows out an angry breath and glares at my phone. “We’re going to get your number changed, right now. I don’t think I can handle seeing another text like that.”

Vikki nods in agreement. “You might want to, Ellie.”

Changing my number is the wisest choice, but it breaks my communication with Bryan. I want him to know that I’m not afraid of him and he’s not going to tear my life apart. However, watching Jake hang on by a thread isn’t what I want.

“Okay,” I say. “Let’s go get it changed.”

Vikki hugs me quickly. “I’ve got everything handled here. Just be safe out there.”

“Lock this door behind us,” I tell her.

Once we’re out the door, I can hear her sliding the lock in place. Jake puts his arm around me and makes sure I get in the driver’s seat before he goes around to his side. I know it kills him not being in fighting condition. He looks around the area before getting in.

“Let’s go,” he says, his voice dark.

We pull out of the parking lot, both watching the cars around us to see if Bryan’s in one of them. I hate living like this, checking over my shoulder to see who’s behind me. I park in the cell store lot and hold my breath. I’m waiting to see if Bryan drives by, but he doesn’t.

“Do you think he followed us?” I ask, whispering the words.

Jake is vigilant of our surroundings. “I don’t know. I’m starting to think you need to carry your Glock 19 everywhere you go.”

I have a concealed carrier permit because Owen teaches a class a couple of times a year. I never had a reason to carry my Glock, but it might not be a bad idea. “Luckily, we’ll be at home for the next couple of weeks,” I point out.

We both get out and head inside the store. The same girl who helped me block the number comes over and smiles. “Hi. Can I help you?” She can sense something is wrong by the look on Jake’s face.

“I’d like to change phone numbers, please.”

She points toward her desk. “Sure thing. Come with me.”

We follow her to her desk and my phone beeps again. Chest tightening, I take a deep breath and look at the text.

xxx-xxx-6334: Changing your number won’t get rid of me. I’ll still be able to find you.