Chapter 16 Ava
Chapter sixteen
Ava
It’s warm in the café—the scent of espresso, sugar, and old paper floating through the air. My little kingdom. My dream.
But I can’t settle.
Even surrounded by friends, laughter, and the clinking of cups, there’s a thread of tension running through me like a wire pulled too tight.
“Okay,” Mia says, eyes narrowing. “Spill.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I say, adjusting the stack of books on the display table like they suddenly need fixing.
Mia and Laura exchange a look over their lattes.
“You’ve been jumpy for a week,” Laura says. “You rearranged the romance section three times in two days. You’re even drinking tea instead of your usual murderously strong coffee.”
“It’s nothing,” I say, too quickly.
From her corner table, Sophia looks up. She’s mid-way through writing a note on one of her signature lavender postcards. She’s been doing it for weeks now—sliding them into her favorite mystery author’s books before her “intended” comes in to pick one up. They are so cute.
A shy, soft little secret romance playing out between the stacks.
She catches my eye, gives me a curious smile. She doesn’t ask. She watches.
And then she frowns, just slightly, and lowers her pen and makes her way to where we are.
“I thought maybe you had a secret admirer, or maybe Elijah decided to leave you love notes” Mia teases. “But the way you two reacted when that flower delivery came in last week? That wasn’t swooning, that was panic.”
I freeze.
Sophia’s eyes are still on me. She’s not smiling anymore.
I glance down at the counter. There’s another envelope there. Just my name, again, in the same looping script.
I didn’t see who left it.
But it’s there now. Between two customer receipts. Tucked like a landmine.
I grab it with shaking fingers, about to slip it into my pocket, but Sophia’s voice stops me.
“May I?”
I hesitate. Nod once.
She opens the envelope and reads silently, brow furrowing deeper with every line.
Then she looks up. Her voice is quiet, calm. But there’s a new sharpness in her eyes.
“This one’s not sweet,” she says. “It’s possessive.”
My stomach twists.
“What does it say?” Laura asks, stepping closer.
Sophia hands me the paper, and I read it aloud, because pretending won’t help anymore.
Mia’s hand goes to her mouth. Laura’s eyes flash. Even Sophia, usually soft-spoken, is rigid with tension.
“That’s not a crush,” she says. “That’s a threat.”
As Sophia lingers near the door, she turns to me.
“I’ve been watching him,” she says. “The one who reads the thrillers in the back. The one who never buys anything but always lingers around with just a cup of coffee.”
I blink. “You think it’s him?”
“I don’t know. But I think he’s watching you, Ava. Not the books.”
***
The shop is dim now, most customers gone, just the low hum of the espresso machine cleaning itself and the soft creak of pages turning from the reading nook.
I texted Elijah a few minutes ago.
He replied immediately
Daddy: On my way.
Sophia stays close. She’s abandoned her usual table, hovering near the counter like a calm shadow. She hasn’t left since she read the note.
“You okay?” she asks.
“I don’t know.” It’s the most honest answer I have.
The bell above the door chimes, and Elijah walks in like a storm in a black t-shirt. His eyes lock on me first—like he’s checking if I’m still standing—then flick to Sophia.
She offers a soft smile. “Hey, Blacksmith.”
Elijah blinks. “Soph?”
“Sebastian didn’t tell you I’m back?”
He’s already striding toward us, pulling her into a quick hug. “Not a damn word.”
“Typical,” she mutters, then gestures toward me. “I’ve been hanging around here. Your girl runs the best sanctuary in the city.”
His gaze sharpens at that. “And you saw something today?” He asks as he comes behind the counter and takes me in one of his comforting, calming hugs.
Sophia nods and gets right to it. “There’s a guy who’s been here more than usual. Tall, dark coat, military haircut. Just coffee, pretending to read. Just sits in the far corner of the store near the emergency exit and stares at Ava. Doesn’t talk.” Elijah’s whole body changes—tightens.
That lethal stillness I’ve only seen hinted at before comes rushing in like a shuttered window thrown open in a storm.
“Where is he now?” he asks.
“I haven't seen him today. Not yet.”
Elijah looks at me. “You okay baby” asking me with his ‘Daddy’ voice. I slowly nod and softly answer him, “Yes Daddy.”
“You should’ve told me sooner.” he tells her not even masking his anger.
“I thought it was harmless. At first. I’m sorry”- she apologizes
His jaw flexes, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, he flips open the latest note, and reads it with a slow, dangerous calm.
He doesn’t speak for a long moment.
Then: “I know that language.”
My heart skips. “What?”
“I'll explain later I promise.” he tells me, his eyes on Sophia
She gives him a nod and then says goodbye.
“Elijah, what’s going on? How do you know Sophia? And who the hell is Sebastian?”
The questions spill out of me before I can even think. Panic coils in my chest. No—no, it can’t be. Not again.
Please, not him.
Tears sting my eyes. My breath shortens. The room tilts, spinning around me like I’m caught in a riptide.
I shove away from the counter, desperate to make it to my office, to anywhere I can be alone. But the moment I’m out of sight, my legs give out. My vision blurs.
Somewhere, I hear Eli and Mia shouting my name, but their voices are muffled, distant—like I’m hearing them from underwater.