Because even now, even knowing what he'd done to her, he couldn't stop watching. Couldn't stop wanting. Couldn't stop loving her with a desperation that felt like drowning.
Movement caught his eye.
Across the street, a shadow shifted in the darkened pharmacy. Michael Harrison stood at his window, watching Hannah with that same hungry intensity that made Jake's blood run cold.
Jake's jaw clenched as he remembered the envelope. The way Hannah's hands had trembled when she'd hidden it. The fear she wouldn't admit to.
You were supposed to protect her.
The words echoed in his head, twisted with memory. Because he'd failed her once. Failed her completely. He'd been theweapon that destroyed her world, the lie that broke her heart, the monster wearing a hero's mask.
But he wouldn't fail her again.
The lights in Sugar & Spice dimmed one by one as Hannah finished closing. Jake watched her check the locks—once, twice, three times. A new habit. Born of fear she shouldn't have to live with.
His eyes cut back to the pharmacy. Michael was still there, still watching, something dark and satisfied in his stance.
Fine.
If Hannah didn't want Jake's protection—if she couldn't trust him, couldn't forgive him, couldn't let him near her—then he'd do this from the shadows.
He'd document every threat.
Track every movement.
Build a case Martinez could use.
And if Michael Harrison tried to hurt Hannah?
Jake would end him.
Not because he deserved forgiveness. Not because he could ever make things right. But because Hannah Everett deserved to feel safe in her own damn town.
Even if that safety had to come from a man she hated.
Even if she never knew he was there.
Even if it meant spending every night like this—watching, waiting, drowning in memories of everything he'd destroyed.
The bakery's last light went out.
Across the street, Michael finally moved away from his window, disappearing into the darkness of his pharmacy.
Jake settled deeper into his seat, eyes fixed on Hannah's apartment windows.
He'd stay until her bedroom light went out.
Stay until he was sure Michael was gone.
Stay until the sun rose, if that's what it took.
Because he'd chosen duty over her heart once before.
He wouldn't make that mistake again.
CHAPTER 27
Hannah
