The alluring scents of blooms drifted around us when Adam, Chris, and I walked inside the flower shop. One of their most lucrative months passed, yet they still got good trade. I never realized how much people adored flowers, or how much of a variety there was of them.

I admired the vases and bouquets spread out around the small shop. My favorite were the colorful tulips in a pink ceramic vase. A sweet old lady watering the roses greeted us. She wore a pretty flower-patterned apron and bright red rose earrings.

"Anything I can help y'all find today?" She smiled at us.

Adam replied, "I'm with the New Syracuse Police Department, mam. Would it be possible for us to see your video surveillance?

Adam explained the situation to her, leaving out the gory details of what my stalker had been capable of. Just the mention of being stalked appalled the poor old lady, and she hurried off to find the owner. Apparently she was the only one who could access the video cameras.

It didn't take long for the little old woman to come hobbling back with the owner. The nametag on her colorful flower apron read: Amanda. The florist's hazel hair was pinned in pigtails and she wore shimmering pink lip gloss, beaming at us.

"Y'all come right this way." Amanda gestured for us to follow her behind the counter. "We keep the footage in the back room. It's all labeled by date."

We spent forever watching endless video feeds. I got tired after a while and walked across the street for some coffee for us. I kept a close eye on my surroundings, anticipating the stalker to creep from the shadows of an alleyway or zip down the street to shoot me again. Neither of those things happened. Thank goodness. But it put me on edge.

She could be anywhere watching us, waiting to strike again. I looked around at all the unfamiliar faces on the street, wondering if any of them could be her.

When I got back to the shop, I got a big surprise. They found a match by using the old receipt book.

"I don't recognize the same," Adam said. "Kate Johnson. My guess is that it's fake, but I'll try to get someone at the station to do a background check. I'm sure there's tons of Kate Johnson's 'round here. You know her?"

"Doesn't ring any bells," I told him.

He sighed. "Yeah, I figured you wouldn't. I thought maybe she could've been someone you knew from work."

I was grateful he didn't blatantly admit I was a drug dealer in the flower shop.

I shook my head. "Sorry, but I don't."

The customized vase she bought cost more than the basic ones they sold, that was how they found her. Adam and Amanda showed me the footage from the young woman who made that purchase, but none of us could make out any facial features in the grainy video. She had dark hair and was fairly tall, close to my height.

"Thank you for taking the time to show us this," Adam told the owner. "It was very helpful."

"Of course. No problem, officer."

We were back to square one. I thought we'd find her when Adam suggested checking the flower shop. I guess video surveillance wasn't all that useful. There had to be another way to find out her identity. I already knew the name she provided at the shop was fake. There wasn't any point in getting our hopes up over it.

Chilly wind nipped my face and crept under my clothes as I shivered. Following close behind Adam as we crossed the street, I looked out beyond the town's buildings at the snow-capped mountains. She could be hiding anywhere. Our town wasn't huge, but there were endless places for her to hide. But I had a feeling she was nearby, keeping a close eye on us.

"You wanna grab lunch while we're here?" Adam asked. "My favorite diner isn't too far from here. We could walk there."

"Sounds like a plan." I folded my shaky arms across my chest.

"We can drive instead if you want," he offered. "You seem cold, and I don't want you getting sick."

"That would be silly. It's just up ahead. I'll be fine," I replied.

"Here." Adam removed his coat and draped it over me. "Those flimsy hoodies of yours aren't enough to keep you warm. And, you should try to keep your hood on. You'll get too much air in your ears."

I rolled my eyes. "You worry too much."

"Don't come complaining to me whenever you get an earache then."

"I won't."

The family diner had a rustic charm to it inside, reminding me of when I worked at the Wallflower as a waitress. That was before the Black Vipers gang burned it to the ground. They just started fixing the damages and didn't plan to reopen until sometime next year down in Hell's Hollow. Emmett would need employees. If he promised to keep his drugs away from the place, I could help out there part-time to make some extra cash. I wanted out of my brother's gang, but not out of his life.

A host greeted us at the door and seated at a booth in the middle. She got us drinks first then left us to decide what to order. The little diner sure got good trade. Almost every table was occupied. Watching the waiters and waitresses brought back old memories. Frankly, I didn't miss working at the Wallflower diner. Emmett rarely got anything done and relied on other workers to do his job. He got distracted with his drug business or fooled around with Kaz.

I recognized the owner right away when he came up to our table, grinning. Harlan had to be somewhere in his sixties. He was such a sweet old man. Adam told me how he used to be on the police force and retired, but stuck around his daughter's diner to keep the Black Viper gang off her back. If only we had someone like him protecting the Wallflower back then.

"Y'all enjoying everything?" Harlan asked.

"Absolutely," I replied.

"Delicious as always," Adam added. "Thank you."

"Don't forget to mention that police officer discount to your waitress." Harlan winked. "I've got to get back there and help out, but y'all have a nice night. It was good seeing you again, Adam. You ain't been around lately in the morning. I've missed chatting with ya."

Halfway through lunch, I received a text from Emmett. Chewing on my delicious biscuits and gravy, I opened it and almost dropped the device right onto my plate.

I think I found her. Black two door car parked across the street from the diner.

Taking pics of y'all.

Can't see the driver.

Will follow. Got plates.

I should've told Adam right away. We could chase after her and let his colleagues arrest her. Part of me wanted to do that, but the other kept my lips sealed. I wanted Emmett to find her. I wanted to end this shit once and for all.

Keep me updated. I texted back, shoving my phone back into my pocket.

How could I sneak away from them and meet up with Emmett? I wanted to see the car he found myself. I'd probably recognize it from the day she tried to run Ms. Lindel and I off the road. Adam and Chris kept eating, oblivious to my stalker watching us from afar.

"Sydney just texted me. Wants to meet up at the coffee shop here at the end of the street," I lied, forcing myself to keep eye-contact with Adam. My heart throbbed in my chest, as I hated lying to him and worried he'd see right through it. "Thought I'd walk there since it ain't that far from here. You're both still eating too."

"I can drive you down there," Adam offered, about to slide out of the booth.

"Nah, it's okay. I'll be fine. If I need anything, I'll call you," I told him, standing to my feet. "It's just a few buildings down from here. Driving's a waste of time."

"Okay, if you're sure."

Before he could question me more, I hurried to the door and back out onto the sidewalk awash in dirty slushy snow. Wind nipped at my ears as I tugged my hood over my head and pulled my phone back out. My chilly hands shook as I sent Emmett a message with my plan. I tried to walk fast, as I didn't want to be out in the open for too long. Plus, it was really freaking cold.

My stalker didn't dawdle. Just as I stepped away from the diner, a black two-door car crept down the road across from me. Sneaking a glance at it, I cursed under my breath. Dark tinted windows. I couldn't make out anyone inside. Would it be too risky to approach her myself? She'd never expect me to be that daring.

I stopped walking and faced the car. It cruised on by me at a steady speed. I almost expected the driver to stop and climb out. Downtown New Syracuse wasn't bustling that afternoon. It would take my boyfriend and Chris too long to reach me. She could kill me again.

When a hand suddenly touched my back, I jolted back and let out a small shriek. It was then when I realized why nobody climbed out of that car to threaten me or shoot me again.

"Jesus, Emmett. You almost gave me a freaking heart attack!"

"Yeah, well, same here. The fuck are you doing?" Emmett asked. "You asking for a damn death wish? You shouldn't be out here alone. Where's that pighead cop of yours?"

"Back at the diner," I told him. "I... I don't want her arrested, okay? I want you to help me."

The expression on Emmett's face morphed into something inexplicably evil. His smirk unnerved me.

"Well, she just turned off this street, so we'll have to find her again," Emmett said, making me realize that the car was gone. "It shouldn't be difficult though. I've got my car parked a little ways from here. We can probably catch up to her, maybe even find out where she lives."

"Okay, then what?" I asked.

"That's up to you," Emmett replied. "Whatever your decision is, I'll have your back."

After driving around and following the car, we ended up at a trailer park. I recognized it right away. It was notorious for drug distribution. Everyone called it Swamp Lake, but once upon a time it had been Swan Lake. Rundown trailers spread throughout the area along with garbage thrown across some of the lawns.

The black two-door car pulled up to one of the rough-looking trailers in the middle and parked. Emmett kept his distance and pulled up into a trailer's yard where no other vehicles were. We both waited for someone to step out. Sinking my nails into the window's upholster, I clenched down on my teeth in anticipating.

I would finally learn who wanted me dead. After all this time, the truth would come to light and I could live my life freely again. But when the driver's side door propped open and the familiar young woman climbed out, a heavy weight sunk in the pit of my chest. Disbelief strangled my heart as I tried to rationalize what was happening.

"No way," I murmured. "It can't be her. Layla's my best friend."

"What an interesting turn of events." Emmett slightly leaned back in his seat, smirking. "Whatever will you do? Can you really bring it in you to kill her?"

"I... I don't know." My voice barely came out above a whisper.

Layla had always been by my side. How could she do this to me? It had to be a mistake, right? That wasn't her car though, nor was it her trailer. Layla lived closer to Archie, over in Viper Valley. That wasn't the car she used. Who's place and car were those? Why had she been using them?

Emmett sighed. "Guess we'll just have to wait for Adam to arrest her. We'll need more evidence for charges to stick too. This isn't enough. We need proof of her being at the aquarium and owning the gun she shot you with. Even the photos on her camera wouldn't be enough. Your boyfriend doesn't have anything for a warrant either, not unless I can maybe find him an informant to give him the intel."

"You mean, she might get away?" I asked uneasily.

"If she learns we're on to her, she might even flee town," Emmett replied.

"What can we do then? I don't want her to go free."

"We could snoop around after she leaves again," Emmett suggested. "Maybe you could even send her a text to meet up somewhere? As far as we know, Layla doesn't realize we know anything yet. Something in her trailer might be incriminating enough. Adam could just say someone brought it forward, who wanted to stay unnamed for their safety."

"I can do that." Retrieving my phone, I sent a text to Layla asking to meet at Magnolia Cafe. "Okay, I sent it. Hopefully she answers. We need to get inside that trailer."

"What if we don't find anything?" Emmett questioned.

"But what if we do?" I countered. "Adam can arrest her, and I won't have to keep looking over my shoulder, wondering when she'll try to kill me."

Emmett shrugged. "We won't know until we're in there. Layla respond yet?"

Checking my phone again, a new message popped up. "She said she'll meet me at the cafe in ten minutes. I made it sound like I had something urgent to tell her. Even if she really isn't the friend I thought she was, I know her too well. She'd never turn down a chance to hear gossip."

"I'm sorry your friend turned out to be a murderous bitch," Emmett said. "Seriously. It hurts when someone close turns against you like that."

"No need to be sorry," I replied. "It's just not a betrayal I expected. I guess Layla never really got over Adam. Maybe she only friended me to keep tabs on him?"

"Possible. She kinda reminds me of Kaz's old dealer, Samantha. Remember her? Bitch went all psycho on him." Emmett shook his head. "It was hard for him to come to terms with too."

Soon enough, Layla came back outside. She'd changed her outfit and had her blonde hair pinned back in a bun. It made me realize that she'd even dyed her hair so similar to mine, possibly hoping to attract Adam again. I'd never looked at it that way when she changed her hair color. Just thought she wanted to try something new.

Everything began to make sense as I pieced it together. Layla knew I'd be at the aquarium because she casually asked while I had a small freak-out moment with her on deciding how to tell Adam I was pregnant. She even offered to drive me to an abortion clinic, which sounded like her being a good friend before, but now, I realized it was because she wanted me to terminate the pregnancy. She always hinted at me finding someone better than Adam too. Not because I deserved better, but because she wanted him all to herself. How could I have been so blind before? Had I just paid closer attention, I would've known she'd been the one to shoot me.

We waited until her black car disappeared from sight and left the trailer park. Once I was sure Layla was gone, I climbed out of my brother's car and made my way up to the trailer house. Emmett stayed close behind me. I needed him to pick the lock, as I knew she wouldn't be stupid enough to leave the place unlocked.

The wind blew through New Syracuse like a freight train, not caring what it overturned in its wrath. Garbage cans went rolling down the road and tree branches got ripped from the boughs. It was getting worse out there by the minute.

Emmett learned to pick locks back in Chicago, when he'd been a part of a gang down there. It changed him a lot. Sometimes, it felt like he was a completely different person. Being with him on that chilly winter day breaking into my former friend's apartment reminded me of all the times we got into crap as kids. Not only that, but he'd always had my back. Emmett always protected me, no matter how dangerous or bigger the person was. I loved the shithead, I really did. I was grateful to have him by my side as we snooped around Layla's secret place.

Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. She didn't keep much furniture in the place. It looked more like a place she used for hookups. It wasn't until we reached the bedroom when I knew without a doubt that she was my stalker. We had all the evidence we needed.

"Holy shit," Emmett murmured.

Layla had turned her bedroom into an Adam shrine. Photos of him covered the walls, particularly above the bed. Some of them were from when they dated, as they captured them kissing. Adam was also in his old beat cop uniform.

Searching through the dresser drawers, I found something very unexpected. But it made me understand her jealousy and why she shot me. Hidden underneath her clothes was an old ultrasound photo, dated back over two years ago.

Emmett held up a crumbled Valentine card he found in the trash can by her bed. "It says, we'll be together forever, Adam. No one can ever tear us apart."

The Valentine card had a cartoon bear holding a heart. Inside, it contained the familiar handwriting with a creepy threat. Together forever? What the hell?

"Why was the card in the trash then?" I frowned.

"Maybe she didn't like it." Emmett shrugged. "Maybe she got too scared to send it."

"Possibly. But that card you got there can be used against her as evidence," I said. "Come on, let's look more. There has to be something else in here to incriminate her. Layla never expected me to connect the dots back to her, so she probably never bothered being careful."

We searched every inch of the bedroom. Just when I lost hope of finding anything else, I uncovered a lock box stuffed underneath the endless pile of shoes in her closet. It required a key.

"She had some keys in her jewelry box," I said.

Emmett reached the dresser and collected all the keys from the colorful box. The first two he tired didn't work, but the third was the charm. With a faint click, the box opened and revealed a pistol with extra bullets. I had a feeling they'd match the ones collected at the aquarium where I was shot too.

"Look at this." I handed it to Emmett. "I think I know why she shot me. She was jealous that I was gonna have Adam's child. She probably miscarried and it ended their relationship. Maybe she hoped the same thing would happen to us and Adam would come crawling back to her."

"Oh damn. You might be right," Emmett said. "It makes sense. She feels like you replaced her, and Adam used to get around a lot before, you know. Maybe Adam even cheated on her."

"You know, whenever I got together with Adam, we kept things a secret for the first few months. I thought it was because he worried about his colleagues at work finding out I was involved with your gang. Now, I wonder... If Adam cheated on her with me. The date stamped on this is close to the time we got together," I explained.

"I wouldn't put it past that fuckhead cop to do something like that," Emmett muttered. "Turns out he was partially responsible after all. Yet he kept blaming my ass."

"Now's not the time for that. Adam didn't make Layla become obsessed with him. While it's upsetting how he might've cheated on her and how she lost her baby, I can't forgive her for what she did to me. We gotta get Adam and Chris over here, now."

Before I had a chance to call my boyfriend, a pair of headlights cast a shadow a long the wall. The sound of tires hitting gravel made us both freeze. My heart pounded in my chest as I crept close to the window, carefully peeking outside.

"Shit. Layla's back already." Pulling away from the dark curtain, I turned to my brother. "What the hell do we do now?"