Dawn bled through the gray clouds, promises of a downpour to come. An earthy scent of wetness lingered in the air that chilly morning. Cold rain kissed Lani’s face as she hurried underneath the rafter of their bakery, shaking droplets from her coat before she unlocked the door and stepped inside. Warmth embraced her. Heavenly scents drifted all around her, and as she tugged her hood down, she froze in her tracks.

Emmett Larson sipped a cup of coffee at one of their tables, focus glued to his phone. He hadn’t even noticed she’d walked inside. Balling her hands in fists at her sides, she inhaled a sharp breath then unclenched them. She needed to play nice. But why the heck he was there? It wasn’t time for him to contaminate their bakery with his blood-stained money.

“There you are.” Emmett tilted his head in her direction. A devilish grin plastered his face. “Come, have a seat. We need to talk.”

“I have no business with you,” Lani replied sharply. “Talk to my dad or Casey.”

Something dark crossed his eyes, but before Lani could dodge her way past him into their kitchen, he stood and blocked her path with rapid speed. He almost toppled over onto the table just trying to stop her.

Lani stood at eye-level to the man, reaching his height. Maybe he took pleasure in intimidating people, but she wouldn’t cower at his feet. No matter how dangerous he might be.

“Excuse me.” Lani attempted to side step him. “I have a job to do, ya know. Like I said, talk to my dad or brother. I want nothing to do with you.”

“Look, Raggedy Anne, we gotta talk about that old bitch you poisoned.” Emmett narrowed his glare at her, gesturing for her to sit in the chair he pulled out. “So, take a seat and let’s get down to business.”

Lani bristled, fury mounting. “I didn’t poison anyone,” she hissed. “So, there’s nothing to talk about.”

“Rumors on the street say she got the pie here, and it was baked by you.” Emmett said.

“Well, they’re wrong. Do you believe everything people say?” Lani retorted. “It’s police business. None of our concern.”

“No, if someone here is putting hits out on folks, then it is my business,” Emmett replied. “I don’t give two shits about the woman, but I can’t have cops crawling around here. If you killed her, you need to tell me and I can help you clean this mess up. You won’t face jail time, I promise.”

“I know I won’t face jail time, because I didn’t kill her.” Lani shouldered past the gang member, heart thumping a mile a minute as she quickened her steps into the back room.

Nerves churned in her stomach as she released a pent in breath. She couldn’t believe that guy. What the hell was wrong with him? Why did they let him inside so early, before they officially opened?

“Hey, are you okay?” Xavier came over to her, donned in his green flour-stained apron. His eyes were filled with concern. “Did that asshole do something?”

Lani gazed back, biting her lip. She lowered her voice and responded, “Told me to come clean about poisoning that woman. Said rumors on the street suggest it was me and that I had to tell him so he could “clean it up” for us."

“What the fuck?” Xavier glared at the door in disgust. “Shit, I’m sorry. I should’ve stepped out there and waited for you to come in. I thought it was weird how he’s been out there.”

“I appreciate that, but I’m glad you didn’t. That would’ve stirred up more unneeded drama. I’m okay, honestly. Just a little rattled up.” Lani crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you think the police really consider me a suspect?”

“Surely not. That Emmett guy’s probably just paranoid cuz he’s tweaked out.”

Xavier’s words didn’t reassure her. If rumors already circulated on the streets about her alleged involvement, then there was no doubt in her mind that the police caught wind of them too. Maybe that was why they kept coming around the bakery, searching for more evidence to arrest her.

“Hopefully, you’re right.” Lani sighed. “Have you seen my dad? I want to tell him about this.”

“Yeah, he was out back.” Xavier gestured to the door.

Lani made her way outside, tugging her hood over her head to fend off the raindrops. Her shoes splashed through the puddles as she passed the garbage bin, stopping dead in her tracks as she reached the mouth of the alley.

Her dad stood on the pavement with another young man who wore thick-framed glasses. Who was he? Lani kept her back pressed against the brick wall, straining her ears in hopes of catching pieces of their conversation. But it was no use with the ferocious wind and pelting raindrops.

A car drove by, and Lani cursed, but it didn’t stop her from catching her dad retrieving his wallet. He handed the young man some cash. In exchange, he gave her dad something in a small plastic bag. It was such a swift exchange. She barely saw it and couldn’t even tell what was in the bag, but it made her heart lurch.

Was Dad doing drugs?