Page 33 of This Life of Mine

For weeks, all I’ve really seen of her while stationed there at the bakery are fleeting glimpses through the small window that separates the kitchen from the front counter.

Lina spends most of her time in the kitchen, tucked away behind mixers, trays, and clouds of flour. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of her laughing at something Val says. Sometimes she’s bent over a notebook, scribbling down recipes. Other times, she’s dancing to music only she can hear.

The first few weeks, I’d leave the shop around seven. Lately, I’ve been finding reasons to stay longer. A few extra minutes. One more cup of coffee. One more overheard conversation with Val. Anything for the chance of catching another glimpse of Lina. Just once.

The Wraithsees more of Lina than Alex does.

At night, from the shadows,The Wraithmakes sure she gets home safely. Makes sure the lights go off. Makes sure she’s tucked away behind locked doors before disappearing into the darkness again.

But Alex? Alex is lucky if he catches her through a bakery window.

As soon as Lina walked up to Kay, I saw the effect I had on her. She seemed nervous.

I watched and listened, using a compact directional microphone to amplify conversations that would’ve otherwise been lost beneath the hum of the espresso machine and quiet chatter.

I listened as Kay schemed with Lina. “And while you’re at it, maybe get his name? And, oh, I don’t know…his number?” Kay suggested.

I smiled into my coffee while taking a sip.

A few minutes later, Lina appeared as if she’d rather walk barefoot through broken glass than approach my table. The opportunity for mischief was impossible to ignore.

Though, I honestly didn’t need the amplifier to hear the conversation. Kay made it more than obvious they were talking about me when she pointed at me. Her voice carried through the empty bookstore with the little scheme at work. I wasn’t mad at Kay for it; I actually wanted to thank her for it.

The memory of it all still makes me grin.

She’d turned bright red. Started rambling. Oversharing. Backtracking. Somehow saying too much and not enough simultaneously.

It was adorable. And God help me, I don’t usually find anything adorable.

But the encounter was a mistake. I’m not supposed to interact with the people I’m assigned to. I’m supposed to stay hidden. Observe. Collect information. Neutralize threats.

The principal should never know I’m there. That’s how it’s always works.

The Wraithwould’ve stayed hidden. He would’ve gathered what he needed, and walked away without ever being noticed. Professional. Disciplined. Invisible.

Instead, I listened to Kay practically announce her matchmaking scheme to the entire bookstore and somehow convinced myself I needed to get involved.

The Wraithwould’ve ignored it. Alex—the dumbass—couldn’t stand another minute of being unnoticed.

So when Lina walked over, terrified. I made the worst possible decision. I smiled. And then I talked to her. I made contact when contact is supposed to be forbidden.

I scoff quietly at the memory.

I move deeper into EJ’s house, using the snoring as my indicator that it’s safe to proceed. I take one room at a time, but I need to be quick, clean, and easy.

The plan is to install cameras and audio equipment as I go. Enough to determine whether the “surprise” is candles and arrogance—or something sharp, chemical, or permanent.

Not that I think this asshole is smart enough to plan anything lethal. But that doesn’t matter.

The moment Lina became a variable in the equation, the risk became unacceptable.

Because if something happens to Lina, there won’t be a corner of this city dark enough to hide the man responsible.

First his bedroom. I dig through everything in his room. Nothing unusual jumps out at me.

There are no hidden weapons. No stacks of cash. No burner phones. No evidence of criminal activity whatsoever. Only a drawer full of condoms, lube, and protein bars.

I did find a box on the top shelf of his closet that I could smell before I opened it. It was full of fucking weed. Rolled joints. Weed rolled in bags. Vapes. Gummies. The guy likes to get lit.