Mia headed back to the bedroom, her jaw set.She heard the mumble of Zeke’s and Blaze’s words as they talked in low tones by the door, but she didn’t bother trying to listen.Her mind was already racing ahead to her shop—what that small piece of land and the building that sat on it meant.It was the symbol of her new life, of her independence.And now someone had violated that.
It didn’t go unnoticed that the breach and the appearance of Zeke had happened all in the same twenty-four-hour time period.That was something to think about later.Right now, she needed to see the damage for herself.
She looked at the clock and hadn’t realized it was just past five.It was still dark outside and the air was bitter with the chill.It wouldn’t be long before the first frost hit.Clothes were easy—a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, and her boots.She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and topped it with a baseball cap.And then she grabbed her holster from the hook she’d hung it from the night before and strapped it on.
She noticed that she and Zeke had fallen into a familiar routine.They’d lived together for a couple of years on and off, depending on if she had to live with a family to give the illusion that she was a student.They knew where to move and which order to do things in to be the most efficient so they could get where they needed to go.
By the time she grabbed her car keys and backpack, he was holding the front door open for her.They were both cautious as they approached her 4x4, scanning the area for signs of a threat.But all was clear and she got behind the wheel.He always hated it when she drove.It was funny how those memories came back now, when she’d forgotten the little details of their relationship during their time apart.
“Anything you want to tell me before we get there?”Mia asked.
She navigated the quiet streets leading out of Laurel Valley, the town still sleeping in the pre-dawn darkness.Only Heavenly Delights Bakery showed signs of life—warm light glowing from the windows where Rose would already be pulling the first loaves from the oven.
Mia accelerated as she left downtown behind, climbing the hill that led out of Laurel Valley.Fiery fingers of the blazing morning sun crept over the landscape as she crested the hill and then began the descent down the other side.
Zeke went still and quiet beside her.She recognized the blank look on his face.It was the same one he’d always had whenever he was trying to keep something from her.
“Let’s just check it out and see if any damage was done,” he finally said.“Maybe it was someone looking for some fast cash.”
“This is my life, Zeke.Don’t try to mess with me.And don’t try to feed me lines about you retiring from undercover work.All of a sudden three years seems like an eternity.I don’t know you anymore.And there’s no reason to trust you.”
“You have every reason to trust me.I love you, and as soon as this job is over I’m done.I just need to gather some facts before I start talking about things that might not have anything to do with you and everything to do with keeping other people alive.”
Mia stayed quiet, not sure how to respond to his declaration of love.He’d never been one to say it often, but when he did she treasured those moments.And she hated that she couldn’t be sure he meant it this time.Time had passed.Things had changed.And there was always an agenda.
She parked next to Blaze’s Bronco in the back of the parking lot.There was another truck she didn’t recognize parked next to him, and three men stood in front of it.A fire truck with flashing lights was parked to the side of the building, but far enough away not to damage the scene.She tried not to despair at the sight of her missing front door.Other than that, on the outside, it looked untouched.
At least the building was standing.Anything else she could deal with.As if reading her mind, Zeke squeezed her shoulder as they walked over to the others, but she shrugged him off.Sympathy wasn’t what she needed at that moment.Not if she wanted to keep it together.What she really needed was a cup of coffee.
“The alarm company silenced the alarms,” Blaze said.“You’ll need to call them to set things back up once you’re ready to roll.”
“Definitely not someone passing by looking for a quick buck,” Zeke said, hands on hips as he surveyed the scene.
“Not by a long shot,” Blaze agreed.“They came prepared and knew what they were doing.Deputy Greyson was first on scene.The fire department pulled in right after him.”
Mia knew Lane Greyson—he was one of Blaze’s most reliable deputies, always first to volunteer for the tough shifts.
“Sorry about this, Mia,” Blaze said.“I know what this place means to you.”
“Is the inside as bad as I think it’s going to be?”she asked him.
Blaze’s lips pinched together.“I brought you a to-go cup of coffee.It’s in the cab of my truck.”
“That bad, huh,” she said, her stomach tied in knots.She went to the cab of the truck and opened the door, grabbing the thermal coffee mug from the middle console.
“What dragged you out of bed before noon?”Zeke asked Ryder.
Ryder O’Hara had the same black hair and blue eyes as Blaze, though he was a few inches shorter and his build was slightly leaner.They had the same square jaw and the same intensity in their eyes.Both of them looked as if they’d never backed away from a fight.No wonder Zeke got along so well with them.He carried himself the same way.
“Couldn’t sleep,” Ryder answered.“Mac’s visiting friends in Boise this week, so I was wide awake when Blaze texted.Figured it’d be better to tag along than to get my hopes up by lying down and trying to go to sleep.”
“Sounds like fun,” Zeke said.“I’m thinking of having kids in the next forty years or so.”
“Hey, Picasso did it.It’s good to have goals, man.”
“Has there been time to secure the scene?”Mia asked.She knew the drill.Knew they were standing out in the parking lot for a reason.But God, she wanted to get in there and see what they’d destroyed.
“We walked the perimeter when we arrived,” Blaze said.“Anyone who was here was long gone, but you’ll see the marks on the sidewalk.I put the word out for who we’re looking for.”
