But even as I nodded, that creeping dread returned. Orin knew how to look. How to twist things.
And now, he was actively reaching into the digital world like claws stretching across states, trying to find me. Beau's hand remained on my shoulder. Anchoring. Real.
I told myself I was safe. That he wouldn’t find me here.
But the fear had teeth, and it was waking up.
BEAU
Sean still looked pale as we stepped out of the bakery, the flickering glow of the closed sign casting shadows across his face.
Whatever he’d seen on the computer back in the office had rattled him.
He hadn’t said much after closing the window, and I didn’t press yet. But my gut was coiled tight, instincts prickling beneath my skin like static.
“I’ll walk you home,” I offered.
He didn’t argue.
I wanted to believe it was because he wanted the company, not because something or someone had scared him enough to say yes without hesitation.
But the way he glanced over his shoulder, fingers twitching at his sides, told me otherwise. He didn’t speak. Neither did I.
I could feel the words pressing against my tongue, the questions that wouldn’t stop spinning in my head.
Who are you running from, Sean? What are you afraid of? Why won’t you let me help?
I didn’t want to push. Not when it felt like we were finally getting somewhere, not when he was starting to trust me.
But patience was never something my bear was good at. And when it came to Sean, every possessive, protective instinct I’d buried deep came clawing to the surface.
He should’ve told me by now. Should’ve confided in me. Didn’t he know I’d do anything for him?
I was so lost in my thoughts I almost missed the way Sean stiffened beside me, his hand suddenly grabbing mine like it was a lifeline.
I followed his gaze.
A dark sedan sat parked just across the street. Motor running. Windows tinted.
The shadow of a face in the driver’s seat turned just enough to catch the orange gleam of the bakery’s exterior light.
Recognition flickered across Sean’s face. His grip on my hand tightened.
That was all I needed.
I stepped forward instinctively, my body placing itself between Sean and the car. My lip curled into a snarl before I could stop it, a low growl rising in my throat.
My bear surged, claws brushing just beneath the surface of my skin.
The car engine revved. Tires squealed as it sped off down the street, disappearing into the night like a coward.
Coward or not, they’d made a mistake coming here.
Sean let go of my hand, arms hugging himself tightly. He was shaking. Not just from fear, but from whatever memories that car had dragged back up from wherever he’d buried them.
I shrugged off my jacket and draped it over his shoulders, my hands lingering there, hoping the warmth of my body might steady him.
“Hey,” I said softly. “You okay?”
