He replied immediately
Daddy:On my way.
Sophia stays close. She’s abandoned her usual table, hovering near the counter like a calm shadow. She hasn’t left since she read the note.
“You okay?” she asks.
“I don’t know.” It’s the most honest answer I have.
The bell above the door chimes, and Elijah walks in like a storm in a black t-shirt. His eyes lock on me first—like he’s checking if I’m still standing—then flick to Sophia.
She offers a soft smile. “Hey, Blacksmith.”
Elijah blinks. “Soph?”
“Sebastian didn’t tell you I’m back?”
He’s already striding toward us, pulling her into a quick hug. “Not a damn word.”
“Typical,” she mutters, then gestures toward me. “I’ve been hanging around here. Your girl runs the best sanctuary in the city.”
His gaze sharpens at that. “And you saw something today?” He asks as he comes behind the counter and takes me in one of his comforting, calming hugs.
Sophia nods and gets right to it. “There’s a guy who’s been here more than usual. Tall, dark coat, military haircut. Just coffee, pretending to read. Just sits in the far corner of the store near the emergency exit and stares at Ava. Doesn’t talk.” Elijah’s whole body changes—tightens.
That lethal stillness I’ve only seen hinted at before comes rushing in like a shuttered window thrown open in a storm.
“Where is he now?” he asks.
“I haven't seen him today. Not yet.”
Elijah looks at me. “You okay baby” asking me with his ‘Daddy’ voice. I slowly nod and softly answer him, “Yes Daddy.”
“You should’ve told me sooner.” he tells her not even masking his anger.
“I thought it was harmless. At first. I’m sorry”- she apologizes
His jaw flexes, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, he flips open the latest note, and reads it with a slow, dangerous calm.
He doesn’t speak for a long moment.
Then: “I know that language.”
My heart skips. “What?”
“I'll explain later I promise.” he tells me, his eyes on Sophia
She gives him a nod and then says goodbye.
“Elijah, what’s going on? How do you know Sophia? And who the hell is Sebastian?”
The questions spill out of me before I can even think. Panic coils in my chest. No—no, it can’t be. Not again.
Please, not him.
Tears sting my eyes. My breath shortens. The room tilts, spinning around me like I’m caught in a riptide.
I shove away from the counter, desperate to make it to my office, to anywhere I can be alone. But the moment I’m out of sight, my legs give out. My vision blurs.
