Page 72 of Suddenly Yours

When I had a moment, I wrapped my arms around her and murmured, “You’re not alone. Ever.”

She glanced up at me with her eyes shining. “I know.”

Right there I made myself a quiet promise.

Whatever happened next, I was going to make sure Levi paid. One way or another.

By the time we finally locked up the bakery, it was nearly one in the morning.

Missy leaned against the counter, exhaustion finally catching up to her now that the adrenaline had burned off. Flour dusted her jeans, frosting smudged her shirt, and there was a stubborn streak of pink icing on her cheek that I hadn’t had the heart to wipe away yet.

I should’ve felt drained. Instead, I felt wired.

Angry.

Protective as hell.

I made one last sweep of the place while she grabbed her bag. I’d wager the place was cleaner than it had been earlier that day.

I had taken a break from frosting and fixed the back door. Max and I had also installed two brand-new security cameras. Both of them blinked quietly from their new spots, one over the back door that angled across the kitchen and prep area, the other in the front of the building behind the cash register. It appeared that Levi hadn’t even gone into the front room, no doubt out of fear of being seen by someone through the large windows.

I should have installed cameras here sooner.

The thought gnawed at me as I locked the door behind us. I’d been so careful at Harbor Ridge, setting up cameras after the first sign of trouble, but here? I’d assumed she was safe. Assumed he’d leave her alone. After all, I was the one he hated.

That was on me.

“I’m adding cameras at the house tomorrow,” I muttered as we walked to our cars.

Missy glanced over. “You don’t have to⁠—”

“I do,” I cut in gently, opening the door for her. “Everywhere that matters gets protected. No exceptions.”

She studied my face for a second, then nodded. “Okay.”

The drive home was quiet but not heavy. She rested her head against the window and had her fingers laced with mine across the console. For the first time since I’d walked into that trashed bakery, I felt like maybe I could breathe again.

The next morning, I was up early, too early. Since we’d left her car at the bakery, I wanted to drive her into work. Which meant I was up at baker’s hours.

I’d barely slept anyway. My mind had been stuck on a loop, replaying the damage, the fire, the way Missy had been sitting when I’d arrived.

When we pulled into the parking lot at a quarter to five, I smiled seeing that Brit and Meredith were already there.

Routine mattered. Showing up mattered. Letting Levi know the place wasn’t closing, that she wasn’t scared off, mattered most of all.

I grabbed my usual coffee and slid into one of the booths while Brit rang up a couple locals. Everything looked and felt normal.

I had just finished my second cinnamon roll when I felt it.

The shift.

The air tightening.

I looked up.

Levi stood just inside the door.

He looked pissed.