Page 36 of Sebastian

“Emma, you don’t have to worry about us. We can come find you if we need anything.” Gage said.

“I know, but I don’t mind.”

“We’re good. Actually, I’m about to head out. Something’s come up and Cap needs me this afternoon. So, as much as I hate to say it, you’re stuck with Tracker until closing.”

“He’s not that bad. Real easy on the eyes.” She winked at Gage and heard Stone grumble. “Don’t worry, Stone. You’re all handsome as sin. It’s honestly unfair to all of us mere mortals. We’re just stuck swooning over you.” That earned her a smile and a small kiss on her cheek before Stone turned and walked out of the bakery.

“Alright, Gage. I have to head into the kitchen for a bit, but just come on back if you need me for something.”

“I’ll be fine, Em. Try to come out and check in with me every twenty or so minutes, okay?”

“I’ll try.” Emma waved over her shoulder as she made her way into the kitchen. Her happy place now had a rain cloud hanging over it as a storm of worry brewed in her belly.

There were so many things that lined up with Marco being the killer. But the Santoro family was in Chicago. There was no way he’d be all the way in Texas dealing with things for the family. Unless, it was personal. Unless he was targeting those women in surrounding towns to make Emma squirm. If he’d found her, that sounded exactly like something he would do.

Her nose picked up on a weird scent and her already on-edge stomach turned. The garbage was nearly overflowing, and Emma scoffed, wondering how it had gotten away from her.

Tying the bag and hauling it over her shoulder, she made her way into the alley. Once the bag was in the dumpster, she realized her mistake. The new security Sebastian had put in place made it so the back door automatically locked when someone came out from the kitchen, and there was no way to open it once the door closed.

“Shit,” she muttered under her breath as she turned to the opening of the alley. Her skin pebbled and the hair on the back of her neck raised. Someone was watching her. But where?

The back door flew open and a ruffled Gage met her eyes.

“Gage, Jesus, you scared the hell out of me.”

“Why are you even back here, Emma? You know you’re not supposed to go out this door unless I’m with you. And even then, you’re only supposed to do it at the end of the day.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled as she looked over her shoulder. The creepy feeling of being watched still washed over her skin. “I just wanted to clean the trash out of the kitchen. It was overflowing, even though I took it out last night.”

Gage looked into the alley.

“Thank goodness you came or I would have been locked out.”

He grabbed her arm and placed her behind his back, still holding on to the door with his other hand. “Why are you shivering?”

“I thought….my mind just got away from me. It’s nothing.”

“No, not nothing Emma. Why do you look upset?”

She sighed. “After I threw the trash in the dumpster, I just had this feeling that someone was near by. Watching me. But when I turned around and looked, there wasn’t anyone there.”

“Let’s get you back inside.” Gage pulled out his cell as he moved his hand behind Emma, guiding her back inside.

“It’s really okay, Gage. You don’t need to call Sebastian.”

“I’m not calling him. Everyone gets a notification if the door is opened before the code is punched in, which is how I knew you were out here. I’m letting them know you’re okay. But I’m also letting Hawk and Gunner know that they need to go look around town for your step-father.”

Emma felt the color draining from her face. “Do you think it was him?”

“Do you?”

She thought for a minute, wishing she could confidently say no. But she couldn’t. “I’m not sure.”

“Then it’s important they go out and look while he could still be around. I’m watching all his bank statements to see if he’s traveling or doing anything suspicious, but the guy is completely off grid. There hasn’t been any activity on his accounts in over a year.”

“I hate this, Gage.”

“I know, Em. Every single one of us is going to work to keep you safe. No way this low life gets around us to hurt you. No way.”

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