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She snickers, “Because it’s fun. I’m thinking of applying a theme in the bakery by putting small delicate things in glass casing for a more historical feel. I know somebody in the neighborhood who’ll probably help me with the glass thing for cheap, and I can sit with the girls and make up some stupid fantastical history that we can write for the piece.”
“I could have gotten you something with some actual history,” I offer. She shakes her head.
“It’s just for show.” She throws a glance around, and then looks at me, her teeth bared in a smile. “Let’s look for more!”
The way she so casually includes me in her little quest makes me feel just as excited, and we dive into the crowd.
I don’t know at what point the back of my neck started tingling, but I look up to see that Charlotte has left my sight. I look up from the fake African mask I have been looking at, and swing my gaze around the crowd.
She’s nowhere to be seen.
What I do see, however, is two men wearing black jackets. They, too, are scouring the crowd.
It is too hot to wear jackets, and when I see one of them brush by somebody, the jacket gives way to the sight of a concealed gun.
Shit.
I quickly send a message to the two bodyguards whom I asked to wait by the cars, and I start looking for Charlotte.
I try calling her, but she isn’t responding.
My eyes are on the men. I move quickly through the crowd, not calling out her name, lest the men realize that I, too, am looking for her.
When one of the men nudge his partner and points somewhere, I don’t blink, just dart in that direction as they move steadily towards their target.
Fear is a bitter taste in my mouth as adrenaline pumps through my veins.
Why had I thought that Charlotte is safe?
Isn’t that the whole reason we kept the stupid bakery closed?!
I see the head of familiar dark hair, and I reach out and grab Charlotte by the hand. She jumps in shock, and then blinks at me.
“Philip? What—?”
“We need to go. Now!”
She doesn’t hesitate, and quietly lets me guide her through the crowd; her hand clamps in mine in an iron hold.
I glance up and swear when I see the two men heading towards us.
However, my own men are a few steps away.
Closing the distance between us, I growl, “Call for backup. Capture those two.”
They nod and part to let us through.
I don’t relax until I shove a bewildered Charlotte into the car and we are well on our way home.
“P-Philip?” She sounds scared. How can I tell her that I am terrified that they would have got to her before I could?
“We were being followed,” I bite out tersely. “Those men were looking for you.”
She sinks into her seat, her face pale, while I make some calls.
I look at the fear on her face.
“Charlotte. Charlotte, you’re safe now.”
