Page 30 of Second Chance Daddy

I groan dramatically, tossing my head back like she just announced plans to join a cult. “Baby, shoot higher. Doctor, astronaut, Taylor Swift’s backup dancer— anything but waking up every day to burn muffins for a living.”

“But I like the bakery.” She giggles.

I smile and hold her hand tighter.

We’re across the street from home, and that’s when I see it.

Black car. Tinted windows. No plates.

No fucking plates. In a town like Cedar Falls?

It’s crawling past our house, slow as a goddamn threat.

What the hell? Is someone watching us?

Every cell in my body locks up. My pulse hits panic speed.

My steps falter. Goosebumps rise on my arms. I quickly pull Aria back into the shadows. I try to take a look, but can’t see who it might be inside.

“Mommy, too tight,” she complains, trying to wiggle free.

“Sorry, baby,” I whisper, loosening my hold but not letting go.

The car idles… then drives past. I don’t breathe until the taillights vanish. But my heart’s still jackhammering when we reach our porch, adrenaline clawing at my ribs.

Was it Gino? One of his family’s goons? They haven’t bothered us for years. Why start now?

It’s then that I notice our mailbox has an envelope jutting out.

I open the box, hands trembling.

There’s a folded note inside with five words:You can’t hide forever.

My blood turns to ice. The world tilts again. And I know… I’ve been found.

I rush us inside, lock the door, and triple-check the windows.

It looks like sleep’s off the table tonight, too.

8

DANTE

Cedar Falls sleeps easily.

A little town like this? Nobody checks their locks twice. Porch lights flicker like fireflies, and screen doors creak on opening. Sounds of dogs barking carry two streets over. Summer haze softens the edges of everything.

I walk through it like a fucking shadow.

Unseen. Unheard. Exactly how I like it.

I can’t fucking think straight.

Haven’t been able to since she showed up at the house with legs that’d make Marilyn Monroe jealous.

I came out here to clear my head. Get some air. Remind myself that I’ve got bigger shit to deal with than a woman I fucked once but never forgot.

And yet, my feet steer me to her street.