Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“I called the police,” Lark called from behind the counter. “They’re on their way.”
“You heard her. The police are on the way. Get out!” Daddy ordered, his gaze darting around at each of the men.
“It’s time to get out of here,” mumbled one of the aggressors. He quickly jogged to the door and was followed by the other two who’d also remained on the periphery.
The one man who appeared to be the ringleader didn’t even glance at his friends as they abandoned him. “Make me.”
Daddy didn’t hesitate. In the blink of an eye, he grabbed one of the man’s arms, twisted it behind his back, and slammed him face first against the wall.
The thug grunted. “Get your fucking hands off me, asshole.”
The man struggled, but he was no match for Daddy—especially with Bear standing close to back him up.
Ellie’s heart was racing. How dare this guy ruin my opening day! And why? She didn’t know any of these men. Why were they harassing her cupcake shop for no good reason? She knew they’d also bothered Daisy at her florist shop this week.
Garrett jerked the man’s arm up higher against his back and dragged him out the front door. At least he was no longer inside the store, but the fact that her Daddy was still engaged with the man out on the sidewalk made Ellie very nervous.
“It’s all over folks. Sorry for the disturbance,” Bear reassured the crowd, breaking the tension.
The volume in the room picked up as everyone started whispering about the incident.
When someone touched Ellie’s arm, she jerked around to find Riley behind her with a large tray of cut-up pieces of cupcake. “I’ll handle things in here so you can go outside and talk to the police, okay?”
Ellie let out a long breath. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” Riley turned toward the room. “Who wants samples?” It was an excellent idea and the crowd quickly refocused on their favorite cupcake flavors.
Ellie stepped outside as the police pulled up, lights on. Two officers climbed out of the squad car, a man and a woman.
“Garrett,” the male officer said as he nodded toward Daddy. He obviously already knew him. “This one of the same thugs who harassed your woman a few days ago?”
“Yes. He had his other friends with him today, too, but they took off running.”
The female officer stepped up to face the hooligan. “Hello, Ben.”
“How do you know my name, bitch?” the thug shouted, still trying to get away from Garrett’s grip.
The woman smirked. “You’ve been leaving your fingerprints all over the state, Ben, as you vandalized and robbed. The jig is up. You’re under arrest.” She pulled out her handcuffs while Daddy flattened the man to the side of the building. She continued to read him his rights as he cussed under his breath.
The male officer approached Ellie as the female officer escorted Ben to the back of the squad car. “Are you Ellie Willmoth?”
“Yes.” She cleared her throat, noticing her voice was shaky. “I own Little Cakes.”
The officer shook her hand and smiled. “Wyatt Hazelton. I’m so sorry you had to deal with this thug on your opening day.” He glanced at the shop. “I’ve heard great things about your cupcakes from Garrett.”
Garrett, finally free of Ben, came to her side and set his hand on the back of her neck, pulling her into his chest. He leaned his lips down to her ear. “You okay, Rainbow?” he whispered.
She tipped her head back to look at him. “I think so, Daddy,” she responded without thinking. She gasped and jerked her gaze to the officer.
He winked at her and spoke in a soft voice. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”
Ellie was shaking, her nerves overwhelming her.
Daddy wrapped his arm around her and drew her in closer, his lips on her ear again. “It’s okay, Rainbow. Wyatt is a Daddy, too. We go way back. I’ve known him for years.”
Ellie tried to relax in Garrett’s arms but it was impossible. Even when he ran his hand up and down her biceps, she still trembled. “Thank you for coming,” she managed.
He smiled broadly. “Of course. It’s my job. Ben and his cronies have been vandalizing and robbing various shops in several counties for weeks now. I don’t think he even tried to avoid getting caught. His fingerprints are everywhere. I found out his prints matched those he left at Daisy’s florist shop and finally compared his picture with those at several precincts around the state this morning. I wish I could have caught him sooner.”
Ellie forced a smile. “I’m just glad you got him now. What about his friends?”
“I’m sure we’ll get all of them in custody soon, but Ben is the ringleader. I don’t think the others will show their faces around here again with him in custody,” Wyatt assured her.