Jake let out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah, well. She hates me, so."
Martinez hummed. "I did always say you were a stubborn son of a bitch."
Jake leaned his head back against the seat. "So what do I do?"
There was a rustling sound on her end. "You're gonna do what you've already decided. You're gonna be her protection detail whether she wants it or not."
Jake's throat felt tight. "That's not enough."
"Then make it enough."
He swallowed hard, staring at his own reflection in the truck's side mirror.
Martinez's voice softened. "Look, Cooper. I can't get you backup. But if you send me anything solid—anything real—I can at least flag it. Maybe get the Bureau watching Harrison's movements. That's the best I can do."
Jake exhaled slowly. "I'll take it."
A pause. Then: "Good luck. And for what it's worth... I hope she forgives you."
Jake huffed out a humorless laugh.
Yeah.
So did he.
But first, he had to keep her safe long enough for that to even be an option.
He ended the call and sat there for a long moment, gripping the steering wheel.
Then he glanced back toward the bakery.
Hannah was still moving behind the counter, her hands steady as she worked.
Jake knew better.
She wasn't steady.
She was barely holding on.
And no matter what she thought of him, as long as she needed him, he wasn't going anywhere.
Not now.
Not ever.
The back door ofSugar& Spicecreaked open, and Jake stepped inside, carrying the fire safety gear. The bakery smelled like cinnamon, sugar, and something that always justsmelled like Hannah.
It still hit him like a sucker punch every time.
He set the equipment down on the stainless steel counter, exhaling slowly, forcing himself to focus. Drop the gear. Check in with her. Get out before he did somethingstupid.
But the kitchen was empty.
A faint hum of movement came from the storage room. He followed it, pushing open the door?—
And slammed straight into Hannah.
The impact sent them both stumbling, and before Jake could catch her, a heavy sack of flour toppled from the shelf above them.
