Whatever happened next, she'd handle it with him.
But these people? These good, decent people who'd shown up at dawn because she'd sent a text?
They needed to stay as far from this as possible. She was done pulling them into danger.
No matter how much it cost her to push them away.
Lord, I don't know how to keep them safe except to handle this alone. Help me protect them even if they hate me for it. Even if it means losing the first real family I've had in years.
The prayer tasted like ash.
But it was honest.
And right now, honest was all she had left.
17
Cara slippedout the front door while Tom was explaining shelf load capacity to Piper.
Cold salt air hit her face. She leaned against the exterior wall and let her lungs fill with something other than flour dust and the weight of gratitude she didn't know how to carry.
Footsteps crossed the wooden deck. Gabe settled against the wall beside her. Close enough to reach. Far enough to give her space.
Always watching. Always protecting.
She hated how much she needed it.
"Ruiz's notes reference coordinates," he said without preamble. "A bluff overlook north of town. I'm heading there in ten minutes."
She pushed off the wall. "I'm coming with you."
"No."
The word came out flat. Final. The voice of someone used to giving orders and having them followed.
She turned to face him. "What do you mean, no?"
"I mean you're a civilian who took evidence from a crimescene." His voice stayed level, but his eyes were hard. "You're staying here where it's safe."
She let out a bitter laugh. "My bakery just got torn apart. You really think leaving me here makes me safe?"
"I think bringing you to an active investigation site makes you a liability."
The word hit harder than it should have.
Her chest tightened. "Then I'll go on my own."
His jaw clenched. "Not happening."
"You can't stop me." She held his gaze. "I read the man’s notes. You think I can't find a bluff overlook north of town on my own?"
"Cara—"
"I'm already in this, Gabe. Whether you want me to be or not." She crossed her arms. "You leave me behind, I follow anyway. Without backup. Without someone watching my six. Is that really what you want?"
He swore under his breath. Looked away. Looked back.
"You stay in the vehicle. You don't touch anything. You don't interfere with my investigation." His tone left no room for negotiation. "And the second I say we're leaving, we're gone. No questions. No arguments. Clear?"
