“Hi. How was school?” Blake asked as soon as Ivy slipped into the car.

  “It was good,” Ivy responded.

  The car hummed along the familiar route, taking them toward home. The buzzing of her phone caught her attention. Glancing over at it, her heart rate picked up when she saw the caller ID. She tried her best to ignore it.

  As they waited at a red light, Blake’s phone vibrated once more, breaking the silence that had settled in the car. She glanced down at the screen, her heart sinking as she saw yet another unknown number flashing back at her. The sense of unease that had been building up for the past three days settled heavily in her chest.

  “Mom, who’s calling you again?” Ivy’s voice cut through her panic.

  Blake forced a smile, trying to mask her growing anxiety as she glanced over at her daughter. “Oh, it’s nothing, sweetie. Just some random calls.”

  “But why do they keep calling? Are you okay, Mom?”

  Blake hesitated, unsure of how to reassure her daughter without burdening her with her own fears. “I’m fine, Ivy. It’s probably just a telemarketer or something. Nothing to worry about.”

  Blake could feel Ivy’s stare boring into the side of her face. “Is it him?” she spoke softly.

  Blake’s breath caught in her throat. She reached over to squeeze Ivy’s hand, her voice gentle but strained. “No, sweetheart, it’s not him. I promise. Everything is fine now.”

  Ivy didn’t say anything for a time. “Okay. I trust you,” she finally replied.

  Blake felt a pang.

  The light turned green, and she focused on the road ahead, her mind still consumed by the unanswered calls.

  After dropping Ivy off at home, Blake’s unease lingered like a dark cloud over her as she made her way to the supermarket.

  As Blake strolled through the supermarket aisles, her mind wandered back to the unsettling phone call she had received after dropping Ivy off. She absentmindedly placed a carton of milk in her basket, her eyes scanning the shelves for the next item on her list. Her phone rang again, and this time it was a private number. With a hesitant breath, she answered.

  “Hello?” Blake’s voice was filled with a hint of caution.

  But there was no response from the other end. Just silence.

  Her heart began to race as she felt a chill run down her spine. Paranoia crept in, and she couldn’t shake the feeling someone was watching her. Grabbing a box of pasta and a jar of pasta sauce, she placed them in her cart before heading to the checkout counter.

  As she exited the supermarket into the dusky parking lot, every sound seemed amplified, every shadow suspicious. The feeling of being followed intensified, and panic started to set in. The sensation of invisible eyes tracking her every step turned her nerves to ice, and a sheen of cold sweat glistened on her forehead.

  Fumbling for her keys with shaking fingers, she tried to steady her breath, to convince herself she was just being paranoid. But the niggling sense of dread wouldn’t leave her; it clung to her like a second skin. Her hands, now slick with panic, almost succeeded in unlocking her car door when a voice shattered her concentration.

  “Blake?”

  “Eek!”

  The keys clattered to the ground as her heart thundered in her ears.

  “I’m so sorry if I startled you.” The voice came again, closer this time. It was Ken, his tone laced with genuine concern.

  Blake slowly turned to face him, her eyes wide and her hand pressed to her chest.

  “Blake, are you okay?” Ken’s brow furrowed as he took a step toward her, his eyes searching hers for an answer.

  The dam holding back her fears crumbled, and tears spilled over, streaking her cheeks. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her body quivering. As she leaned forward, the world tilted. Ken’s arms were there, steadying her as she collapsed against him.

  “Ken, I... I don’t know what to do. I’m so scared,” she gasped out, her words muffled by his shoulder.

  Ken’s embrace was gentle, the heat of his body a stark contrast to the chill of her own. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. I’m here,” he murmured. After a few minutes of them standing like that, as Blake started to calm down, he spoke. “Blake, you can tell me what’s wrong. You don’t have to face this alone,” he coaxed.

  After a few moments, her sobs subsided into quiet sniffs, and she took a shaky breath, willing herself to find the strength to speak. “Ken, I—I haven’t been totally honest with you,” she started, her voice a fragile whisper.

  Ken gently tilted her chin up so she was looking at him, “Whatever it is, Blake, you can trust me.”

  She nodded, taking solace in his reassuring gray eyes. “It’s my ex-husband,” she confessed, the words tumbling out in a hurried stream. “He—he was abusive, Ken. The kind of nightmare you can’t wake up from. It got so bad one night, it ended with me in the hospital... and him in jail.”

  Ken’s jaw tightened. “That’s... That’s horrendous, Blake. I’m so sorry.”

  She shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “Sorry doesn’t change the past. But the past isn’t staying where it belongs. He got out early—good behavior, they said. But there’s nothing ‘good’ about that man.” Her voice broke on the last word. “I think it’s because he was a cop when this all happened, and he has friends in high places who blamed me for him going to jail and losing his job.”

  “What! That’s insane,” Ken seethed. “To think the ones tasked with protecting us are the ones abusing their power like that.” He shook his head in disappointment as anger radiated from him.

  Blake gave a faint smile. “So now I’m hiding,” she said, the admission feeling like a key turning in a lock. “From him. I don’t know what he’s capable of anymore. I can’t take that risk, not with my daughter. I have to keep her safe.”

  “That’s why you’re in Camano Island?” Ken asked, his voice low, a controlled anger simmering beneath the surface.

  Blake nodded. “But then the calls started. No caller ID, no one on the other line, just silence... or sometimes, just breathing. The feeling of being watched,” she continued, shuddering.

  Ken looked around, his eyes scanning their surroundings, as if he could spot the threat in the darkness. He focused on her once more with fierce determination. “Listen to me, Blake. I’m here now, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you or your daughter. You have my word.”

  His promise hung in the air. Blake looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the turmoil within, now mixed with a glimmer of hope. “Do you really mean that?”

  “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life,” Ken replied, the earnestness in his voice more comforting than any blanket. “You’re not alone anymore. There is a whole village here who would be willing to protect you.”

  A tear slipped down Blake’s cheek, and she nodded, allowing herself a moment to believe in the safety Ken offered. “Thank you, Ken. Thank you for being a friend.”

  Ken smiled, a soft, reassuring curve of his lips. “I’ll be damned before I let that monster haunt you any longer.”

  Blake smiled appreciatively.

  Ken reached down and picked up Blake’s car keys. “Come on, I’ll drive you home.”

  “But what about your car?” Blake’s brows furrowed.

  “I’ll have someone pick it up later,” he informed her before ushering her into the passenger side of her car. “Does Trish know?” he asked as the car cruised along the freeway.

  “No,” Blake informed him. “But now that you brought her up, I think I should tell her.

  “I think you should,” Ken agreed.

  Half an hour later, Blake sat on the couch in her living room as the people she’d grown close to over the past two months, since she moved to Camano Island, processed what she’d told them about her past.

  “So, you’re telling me they let this, this… animal out, and now he’s antagonizing you?” Trish paced back and forth.

  Blake released a heavy breath. “I don’t know for sure if it’s him because my friend Kelly back in New York says he’s still there,” she expressed.

  “But that doesn’t rule out the calls now, does it?” Nikki spoke up.

  “It doesn’t,” Ken added.

  Trish chimed in, her voice a determined note, “We’re going to make sure you and Ivy are safe, no matter what it takes.”

  Their words were a small comfort, but the shadows of fear still clung to Blake’s heart. She looked at her daughter sitting on the sofa opposite her, staring at her clasped hands. She wondered what was going through her head.

  “It’s too risky to stay here,” Ken’s voice cut through her thoughts, his voice laced with urgency. “You and Ivy should come stay at my place. I have the space, and the security is top-notch.”

  Blake hesitated at the offer of both a sanctuary and a reminder of her vulnerability. “Ken, I can’t impose on your life like that. You’ve already done so much…”

  “Blake, this isn’t up for debate,” Ken insisted, his gaze locking with hers. “You’re not safe here. My home is your home until we sort this mess out.”

  Trish nodded in agreement. “He’s right, Blake. Your ex-husband is unpredictable, and after what happened today, staying here might not be the best idea. Ken lives in a gated community with security. I would have offered for you to stay at the inn, but you’d be too exposed there, and I have to consider the safety of the guests.”

  “I know.” Blake nodded with understanding. “But I don’t want to put anyone in danger. And if Dominic’s still in New York, then maybe it’s okay for now if we stay—”

  Nikki stood up; her expression resolute. “Let’s not take any chances. It’s just until we get more information on Dominic’s whereabouts. We need to make sure he is really where he should be and find out if he’s working with anyone.”

  Trish walked over to Blake and kneeled before her; her blue eyes filled with concern. “I know it’s not the most ideal situation, and it took a lot for you to trust us with this, but trust us too, Blake… we’re trying to help keep you safe—you and Ivy.”

  The mention of her daughter’s safety seemed to fortify Blake’s resolve. She knew Ivy’s well-being was paramount, and the thought of her little girl feeling secure again made the decision for her.

  “Okay,” she relented, the word both a surrender and a step toward safety. “We’ll stay with you for now… until we know for sure it’s not him.” She stood up and turned to her daughter. “Ivy, let’s go pack.”

  Ivy looked up then, her face reflecting a myriad of emotions. “I thought you said we were safe here.” Her accusatory tone tore at Blake, and she stood there helpless as her daughter rose to her feet and stormed to her room.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Blake tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. The image of her ex-husband refused to release its grip on her mind. Giving up on the idea of getting any sleep, she sat up, her back pressed against the headboard, staring at the shadows. It was like he was everywhere—around every corner, at her job, at Ivy’s school…

  In the dim light filtering through the curtains, shadows danced across the walls, casting a ghostly veil over the room.

  Movement from beside her caused her to look over at her daughter, who was sound asleep. She reached out a hand, hesitating briefly before gently brushing a lock of hair away from her daughter’s face.

  She hadn’t gotten more than a few words out of her since they moved in with Ken two days ago. The distance between them felt palpable, a chasm widening with each passing day. Her heart clenched with a sense of helplessness, the ache of their strained relationship weighing heavy on her shoulders.

  With a heavy sigh that seemed to echo in the quiet room, she swung her feet over the side of the bed and rose. As she exited the dimly lit room, the cool hardwood floor felt cold against her bare feet, prompting her to quicken her pace toward the stairs.

  The soft glow of the kitchen lights welcomed her, casting a warm, comforting aura over the room. She made her way to the island, the smooth granite gliding under her fingertips as she reached for a glass and filled it with water from the crystal-clear pitcher. The first few sips were refreshing.

  Suddenly, a blinding flash of light pierced the tranquility, causing her to startle with a gasp. The glass slipped from her hands, shattering into pieces on the floor with a sharp crash that seemed to reverberate through the room. Before she could fully process what had happened, Ken’s gentle voice rang through as he approached her slowly.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “It’s okay,” Blake reassured him, her voice a mixture of embarrassment and lingering fear as she knelt down to pick up the shards of glass scattered on the floor. “I don’t know why I’m still so jumpy.”

  “You don’t need to feel bad about that,” Ken said, crouching down beside her to help with the cleanup. “Couldn’t sleep, huh?”

  Blake released a slow, steadying breath, her gaze meeting Ken’s as she opened up, the vulnerability in her eyes reflecting the turmoil within her. “No… I couldn’t.”

  Ken gave her a sympathetic look, his expression filled with understanding and a silent offer of support in the quiet of the night.

  Rising to her feet, she took the broken shards to the bin and dropped them in. Ken did the same before grabbing some paper towels to wipe up the water that had spilled. Meanwhile, Blake took a seat around the island. Perched on the high stool, she watched as Ken grabbed two glasses from the cupboard and reached for a bottle of red wine from the refrigerator. He poured the liquid into the glasses before sliding one over to Blake. She accepted it without a word and brought it to her lips to take a sip. The flavor was a mix of tangy and sweet on her tongue with a hint of smokiness. She had to admit, it was a good wine. She couldn’t help but let a murmur of appreciation escape her.

  “It’s vintage 1958.”

  Blake’s eyebrows lifted, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth as she peered at the glass in appreciation. “That’s old,” Blake mused. “And really good.”

  Ken responded with a slight bow of his head, a silent toast to her discerning taste, as he brought the glass to his lips. In the wake of their shared appreciation, a heavy silence settled over them, the kind that blankets a room like snowfall. It was Blake who eventually shattered it, her voice quivering. “I keep seeing Dominic,” she confessed, a tremor in her words. “He’s everywhere—in my dreams, in my waking moments. I just can’t shake the fear that he’s found us, that he’s the one behind those calls.” Her shoulders were hunched as if to ward off a chill. Her eyes clouded with the specter of her fear.

  Ken’s response was immediate, his hand reaching across the divide to rest atop hers. “Blake,” he began, his voice calm. “I won’t let him get to you.” His gaze, a steely gray, was resolute, a bastion against her fears.

  Blake’s reply came out in softly. “Thank you, Ken,” she whispered, the weight of her fears momentarily eased by his presence. She wasn’t sure why, but Ken’s promise made her feel safe. Staring into his eyes made her want things…

  Blake quickly pulled her hand from under his and stood up. “I should… I should head back upstairs.” She gestured to the door.

  Ken’s brows furrowed. “Okay,” he finally said, getting up as well. “I’ll wash up.”

  Blake nodded and headed for the door.

  As the days stretched on, Blake found herself settling into an uneasy routine at Ken’s place, the tension between her and Ivy lingering like a heavy fog. Ivy’s silence weighed heavily on Blake’s heart, each passing moment a stark reminder of the growing distance between them.

  The afternoon sun drifted lazily through the window, casting long shadows across the desk where Blake sat, her mind filled with unease. The shrill ring of the phone shattered the quiet of the house. With a sense of foreboding, she picked up the receiver, her hand trembling slightly as she brought it to her ear.

  “Hello?” Her voice wavered ever so slightly, betraying the trepidation that thudded against her rib cage.

  “Blake, it’s Kelly,” came the familiar voice of her friend, her tone filled with concern. “I haven’t seen Dominic in three days. I’ve driven past his home; I can’t even count how many times. I’ve even gotten someone to go deliver a pizza, and there was no answer.”

  The words hung heavy in the air, and Blake felt a cold shiver trace the length of her spine. The nagging fear gnawed at the edges of her thoughts. She knew she had to act to find out where he was, for her own peace of mind and for Ivy's safety.

  “Thanks for letting me know, Kelly.”

  “What’re you going to do?” Kelly asked, her concern crackling through the line.

  Exhaling a heavy sigh, Blake’s response was a whisper of vulnerability. “I don’t know,” she replied honestly.

  Without missing a beat, Kelly’s voice was back, laced with determination. “I’ll book a flight and be there by tomorrow.”

  “No, Kelly. You don’t have to do that,” Blake insisted, steadying her voice to convey a calm she was far from feeling.

  “Blake, we have to figure out something,” Kelly pressed, her words tinged with a hint of panic.

  Blake nodded to herself, a silent affirmation of her friend’s words. She did need a plan, but the thought of drawing Kelly further into this mire of fear and uncertainty was one she couldn’t bear. Plus, she didn’t know for sure if Dominic even knew where she was.

  “Kelly, I know you want to help, and that’s exactly what you’re doing from there.”

  There was a pause before Kelly spoke, “I’m scared for you, Blake.”

  “I know,” Blake replied.

  Blake rested her head against her palm as her eyes slowly fluttered shut.

  “Knock, knock,” a familiar voice called out.

  Blake looked up to see Trish standing in the doorway, a paper bag in one hand and two bottles of water in the other, her face lit up with a warm smile. “I brought you lunch,” she announced cheerfully.

 

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