I step closer, close enough to trace the defined muscles of his abs with one finger. “I think you impressed me plenty last night.”
His hands capture my waist, pulling me flush against him. “Did I?”
“Mmm.” I rise on my toes to brush my lips against his. “Though I might need a reminder.”
He groans softly, his mouth moving over mine with lazy thoroughness. “Coffee first. Then I’ll remind you as many times as you want.”
“Deal.”
He makes coffee while I salvage what I can of breakfast, and there’s something achingly domestic about the whole scene. For the first time in months, I feel safe and like I can breathe easy.
“So what’s the plan for today?” I ask, settling into a chair with my mug.
“Stay close to the house. Blake should have more intel by now, and—”
My phone pings with an Instagram notification, and I pick it up automatically.
The message is from an account I don’t recognize, and a rush of fear overwhelms me.
It’s a photo of me walking into Jefferson High School yesterday. Alone.
The caption reads:Visiting old friends? I like how you look when you think no one’s watching.
The mug slips from my fingers. Coffee splashes across the kitchen table, and the mug bounces to the floor and shatters. Jake is beside me in an instant, his hand on my back as he reads the message over my shoulder.
“Fuck.” The word comes out flat, deadly. “This is exactly why I should know where you are at all times. This is also why I wanted you to give up your phone. Somehow, he’s able to track you. Godammit.”
The possessive edge in his voice, the way he immediately jumps to controlling my movements, makes my chest tight with panic. “Jake—”
“He was there, Izzy. He was watching you, photographing you, and I wasn’t there to stop him.” His hand runs through his hair, messing it further. “What if he’d approached you? What if he’d followed you back here? What if he went after you at the school, before I found you?”
The concern and urgency in his voice is genuine, but it also makes me angry at the situation. “So…what? I’m supposed to become a prisoner in my own life?”
“You’re supposed to stay safe until my team and I can deal with this.”
“And what about the benefit concert I want to do for my old school? What about Mrs. Henderson’s program?” My voice rises despite my efforts to stay calm. “Do I have to give up my career? Everything that’s just starting for me?”
Jake’s expression softens slightly, but his determination doesn’t waver. “We’ll figure it out. But right now, we need to keep you secure while I handle this. I need to call my team.”
Jake heads out to the front yard, clearly not wanting me to hear what he has to say. I watch as he paces, gesticulating wildly with one of his arms. The only thing I can hear is him yell, “No, now!”
Another wave of realization about my situation rolls over me. I know I’ve gone in and out of realizing the severity of what’s happening, but watching Jake—who is an ex-Ranger and works in private security—freak out about this? It makes me realize how badly I’ve been minimizing how serious this all is.
“Okay,” he says, taking a deep breath as he comes back inside. “The team is putting full resources on tracking this guy. I’m going to head in to run point on this, but I need to make sure you’re safe.”
“Jake, I’ll be fine. You don’t have to take me with you. I promise I won’t go out again.”
The look Jake gives me nearly stops my heart. It’s mix of concern and exasperation. “Izzy. You know I can’t do that. You needsomeone here who can do what you can’t. Which is why I called your brother.”
I look at Jake, confused. “But he’s in the hospital.”
My phone rings and Hayden’s name flashes on the screen.
“Answer it,” Jake says, his voice gentle but firm. “Put it on speaker.”
“Hey, Hayden.”
“Izzy.” My brother’s voice is tight with controlled anger. “Jake filled me in on what’s happening. I’m taking a little field trip. I’m in a taxi now.”
