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“There could still be information that we haven’t read yet.” His hand smoothed up and down her back. She swallowed and picked the book up again.

A car pulled into the driveway. “The pizza is here.” Ethan stood and greeted the delivery driver at the steps.

Riley picked up the book. There were two entries left. The first one told of where she had found the note, pressed to the windshield of her car after work. She turned to the final entry, dated the day before Hanna had disappeared.

I’m getting scared. I always feel like someone is watching me now and I jump at every sound, especially when I’m home alone.

Last night, a blocked number called my phone.

They didn’t speak, but sat on the line. I hung up.

I’m going to go to the police station tomorrow, but I’m scared.

Everyone in this town talks… what will he do if he finds out I went to the police?

It could literally be anyone. My mind keeps racing with possibilities, but all that’s doing is making me crazy.

Brian, Riley’s ex-boyfriend, moved back recently.

I ran into him the other day. He was polite, but this was the first time I had seen him in years.

I feel like it’s someone I know, someone I see often. He seems so close to me all the time.

I forgot to tell Riley about this during our last phone call. We’re supposed to chat again on Sunday, so I will tell her then. Maybe she’ll be able to help me figure this out.

Riley closed her eyes. Tears welled behind her closed lids, but she blinked them back before they could spill.

Not now. With the journal pressed tightly against her stomach, she followed Ethan into the house.

The scent of cheesy pizza wafted to her nose and tingled her taste buds despite the pit of nausea that settled in her chest.

“I ordered a salad too, I hope you’re hungry.”

Riley forced a smile and accepted a plate from his outstretched hand. “Thanks, I’m starving.”

Ethan lifted a slice and set it on her plate.

She added a helping of salad, and waited for Ethan to fill his plate.

She sat at the table where two full glasses of water waited, and he slid in next to her.

His body was so much bigger than hers. Heat radiated off him, and the urge to press her body to his vibrated through her.

“Find anything else in the other entries?” He took a big bite of pizza, and waited. The deep blues of his eyes watched her carefully. She lifted a shoulder, and blew on the warm cheese.

“She mentioned my ex-boyfriend Brian moving back into town. But nothing else about him other than that he was polite.”

“They knew each other?”

Riley nodded. “Of course. We all grew up here and went to school together. It’s not unusual that he’d say hi to her.”

Ethan chewed, his furrowed brow hinting that he wasn’t quite convinced.

Riley continued, “She wrote that she was scared and felt someone was always watching her. She was worried about going to the police in case he found out.” Riley sunk her teeth into the warm crust and the tangy marinara hit her tongue.

She swallowed and pressed a napkin to her lips. Her stomach flipped over. Hanna had been scared shitless and Riley hadn’t had any clue. What kind of best friend was she? At the time in her life when Hanna had needed her most, she’d been in Boston.

She took another bite but her appetite was diminishing. Ethan was already onto his second slice.

“She didn’t think it was someone random, which makes sense with how long it went on.

I’m interested if Joe knows about this. I don’t think he does, because I don’t recall him telling me about it.

Joe faxed the file over to my buddy Nate, and he didn’t mention it either.

I just hung up with Joe and he was heading to your house now to check things out. ”

At the mention of Ethan’s friend Nate, Riley perked up. “That’s who you called when we got here? The FBI agent?”

“Yup. He found a flight and lands tomorrow night.”

“Oh my god, that’s great news. Do you think he’ll be able to help?”

Ethan wiped his chin with a napkin. His eyes darkened. “Not exactly. He’s doing this as a favor, so the FBI isn’t officially involved. Turns out he had some vacation days to use up, so he was able to get off last minute. I need someone else here so I can investigate more.”

“What do you mean? We’re doing this together.”

“Absolutely we are. But some things are dangerous and I don’t feel safe leaving you here.”

“What things?” She set her pizza on her plate and folded her arms on the table. She squinted at him through heavy lids. What exactly was he getting at?

“After what happened this morning, I want to stake out your place. My bet is he’ll return there at some point.”

She shifted her gaze to the smooth, mahogany table.

He was trying to help find Hanna, for that, she was grateful.

But he was too worried about her. With Ethan trying to protect her, it was hindering their investigation.

She ran her tongue over the inside of her teeth.

In the beginning, Ethan had made her promise that she wouldn’t use herself to find the suspect. What other option was there?

She lifted her eyes to meet his, and her fingertips dug into her elbows.

He was going to refuse, but she had to get through to him.

It was the only way. “I’m sure he’ll figure out soon that I’m not staying there anymore.

If you’re right and he plans to return, I should be there. That may be the only way we catch him.”

Ethan took a bite of salad, his eyes widened on her. He coughed, slammed back half the glass of water, and cleared his throat.

“Are you serious? You want to stay there in hopes that he comes for you?”

She lifted one eyebrow and didn’t flinch. “You got a better plan?”

“Uh, yeah.” His gaze shifted away and then back to her, “How about not getting you killed?”

She flashed a smile at him. “Well, you’ll be there, silly.”

His eyes darkened. He set his fork down and leaned back against the chair. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Of course. And now, we have back up.” She picked up her fork and scooped a bite of salad. “What can go wrong?”

He scratched his whiskers with the back of his knuckles and slowly shook his head. “I don’t think it’s a very good idea, babe. Give me some time—”

Her eyebrows snapped down and she dropped her fork to the plate with a clatter. “No, dammit.”

His mouth parted.

Tears stung the back of her eyes. “Ethan, she’s been gone a month. A month.” Her voice cracked, but she forced it to steady. “Every day matters…every minute.” She rested her palm on his folded arm. His eyes searched hers, and his brow crinkled with strain. “Please…”

He gripped her fingers in his and lifted them to his lips. “All right, fine. But we have to wait until tomorrow when Nate gets here. Deal?”

Indecision made her hesitate. Shit. That was longer than she had wanted to wait, but it was better than nothing. “Okay.”

“In the meantime, I will continue to work at it. It’s a little late to call Joe now.” He glanced at his watch. “He’s probably already left for the night. But I’ll call him first thing in the morning and ask him about the notes.”

“Thank you, Ethan. It means a lot to me that you would do this.”

His knuckle brushed over her cheek and his eyes warmed. “Don’t mention it.” His lids grew heavy and heat stained his cheeks. “But, maybe you can make it up to me later?” He leaned close until his lips brushed over her bare shoulder.

Heat burned through her skin and brought a deep, longing throb with it. Her palm caught his jaw; the rough stubble abraded her skin as she brought his mouth to hers.

The shrill ring of his cell phone sounded from the counter.

He pulled away as soon as they had touched. “Shit,” he chuckled.

“It’s okay, get it. I’m actually still hungry anyway.”

He laughed and stood. “Seriously? The temptation didn’t even dull your hunger?”

A giggle erupted from her throat as she lifted a fresh piece of pizza. “Not this time.”

“Well, I’ll have to fix that.” He winked at her and butterflies danced in her stomach. He answered the phone, silencing the call.

One more night. And maybe tomorrow they would catch the bastard… and find Hanna.