The flowers sat on Duke's kitchen counter like a threat. Valentina stared at them while Duke paced, phone pressed to his ear.
"I need everything you can find on Marcus Reeves. Yeah, all of it." Duke glanced at Valentina. "I'll send you his photo. Just dig deep, Axel."
He ended the call and tossed the phone on the counter. "Axel's going to run a background check. See what Marcus has been up to since college."
"Duke, maybe we should—"
"No." He moved to her, hands on her shoulders. "He sent flowers to my place, Val. He knows where I live. He's not just watching—he's making moves."
Valentina couldn't argue with that. The roses felt like a violation. Marcus was getting bolder.
"I have to open the bookstore," she said. "Grand opening is in three days. I can't hide."
"Then I'm coming with
