Elliot's eyes widen slightly; he didn't expect Rowan to be here. "The cavalry arrives," he says dryly.
"I'm calling the police," Rowan says, already dialing. "You're trespassing. You're violating the restraining order."
"A restraining order from Oregon has no jurisdiction here," Elliot replies smoothly, but I catch the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
"Want to explain that to the cops?" Rowan challenges, phone to her ear.
"Hi, yes, I need to report a trespasser who's threatening my sister. He's violating an active restraining order from Oregon. We're at Pike's Perk Café in Virginia Dale."
Elliot's composure slips for a moment, a flash of rage contorting his features before he masters himself again. Axel stillhas him by the collar, and I can see the indecision on Elliot's face, whether to escalate this or retreat.
"Let him go," I tell Axel quietly. "Let him leave before the police get here."
Axel hesitates, then releases Elliot with a small shove. Elliot straightens his shirt, smoothing down the wrinkles with exaggerated care.
"This isn't over," he says, his voice eerily calm again. "Not by a long shot."
"Get out," Rowan says, stepping closer. "Before I add assault to the charges."
Elliot laughs, the sound sending ice down my spine.
"You always did fight her battles, didn't you, Rowan? But you can't protect her from her own choices." His eyes find mine.
"Things are just getting started, sweetheart. I'll see you in court, if you show up."
The threat hangs in the air as he slides into his car. The engine purrs to life, headlights cutting through the darkness as he backs out of the space. As he drives past us, he rolls down his window.
"Ask your boyfriend about the note, Sadie," he calls. "Ask him what he's been keeping from you."
Then he's gone, taillights disappearing down the road, leaving us standing in the dark parking lot. My legs give out, and I sink to the ground, trembling uncontrollably. Rowan is beside me in an instant, arm around my shoulders.
"He's gone," she soothes. "He's gone, Sadie. You're safe."
But I don't feel safe. I feel exposed, terrified, like the ground has been ripped out from under me. I look up at Axel, who's standing rigid, staring after Elliot's car.
"What note?" I ask, my voice barely audible. "What was he talking about?"
Axel turns to me, guilt written across his face. "Sadie, I…"
"What. Note?" I demand, anger cutting through the fear. I struggle to my feet, shaking off Rowan's helping hand. "What have you been keeping from me?"
Axel runs a hand through his hair, his expression tortured. "There was an envelope on your car yesterday. Before I picked you up for Denver."
The betrayal hits me like a physical blow. "You knew? You knew he was here, that he found me—and you didn't tell me?"
"I was trying to protect you," he says, reaching for me. "I wanted you to have one night without fear."
I step back, out of his reach. "Show me. Now."
He hesitates, then reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a manila envelope. I snatch it from his hands, tearing it open with trembling fingers.
The photograph inside makes my blood freeze. Poppy and me, through the café window. The red writing across the bottom: "I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE."
"Oh my God," I whisper, the image blurring as tears fill my eyes. "He's been watching us. He's been here, watching my daughter."
"That's why I didn't show you," Axel says desperately. "I knew you'd panic. I was going to tell you when we got back, help you file a police report."
"You had no right!" I shout, fury and fear making my voice shake. "No right to keep this from me! This is my life, my daughter's safety!"
