Page 57 of Conquered Obstacles

And he reached out and grabbed my arm. I broke the hold and swallowed a shiver when I saw the glee in his eyes that he thought I was afraid of him.

“Put your hands on me again and I will break you,” I warned.

“Not call the police?” he mocked.

“Darling, you’d be in the ground before they could get here to save you,” I chuckled darkly.

“I regret sending you flowers,” he sneered. “You seemed so pretty and timid, having others speak for you and even opening the bakery with those stupid rules to keep out men like that would do anything really. But you’re nothing like your image.”

“You mean the image you built up in your head,” I drawled and stepped into his space to show I wasn’t afraid. “Aren’t you embarrassed?”

“Embarrassed? Why the fuck would I be embarrassed?”

“You sent flowers to a woman you’ve never even met like a pathetic loser because you had this idea of her being some timid victim you wanted to make prey all built up in your head.”

“You are prey,” he snapped, my power making his mouth work faster than his brain. “You were their prey, and once you’re prey, you won’t ever be predator. You’ll just be someone else’s prey next. That’s how it works.”

“Not for you,” I purred. “You were so pathetic you tried to call and talk to me after I posted that I didn’t want losers sending me gifts? You were one of hundreds. You weren’t special, but only the most pathetic called and tried to use it as a chance—”

“Shut your fucking mouth, you slut,” he growled.

“Or what?” I chuckled darkly. “You going to get me? You going to show me my place?” I gestured around to the lit-up parking lot. “Please try it. The only reason they hurt me was because they ganged up on me. I’m more than able to take you on. So go right ahead. See how it works for you.”

“I could, and there’s nothing you could do about it,” he snapped.

“Oohhh, big words neither of us believe.” I tilted my head and studied him. “I’m not normal prey, am I? No, I’m too much of a challenge. You’re an ugly slob. I bet you go for younger ones. Ones who don’t have money and power like me, right?”

“They know their place unlike a bitch like you!” he seethed.

And then he realized what he’d said. He went pale as he retreated so fast he tripped over his own feet and landed hard. He scrambled to his feet and was at his car as fast as he could. I pulled out my phone and took a picture of his license plate, letting him see me do it.

“You got it all,” I asked Kary when I was out of sight.

“Yeah, fuck, Mom,” she whispered. “Are you okay?”

“No,” I admitted. “No, but I will not let those girls be hurt. Call the parents in and tell them I will call child services tonight for—everything. The man is creepy as fuck. Get them there and see if Sgt. Adams can come. Call whomever.”

“I already did. I did the moment you left because…”

Because the girls deserved to be heard even if I didn’t get the proof. Their parents needed to be better parents, and the twins would make them pull their heads out of their asses.

I only had one thing to say to that.

“I am so very proud of you both,” I praised.

“Love you too,” she whispered and hung up.

I took a cab back to the bakery to make it like that had been the plan instead of the reality that I used my power to appear anywhere. Plus, my SUV was already at the bakery, and now things would get tricky, so it was best to just jump through the hoops.

Everyone was pretty much there when I arrived, which shocked me, but when I saw the annoyed look on Justina’s face, I knew she’d had to get involved. Right after I walked in, Sgt. Adams did and glanced around.

He simply sighed and gave me a tired look. “I’m going to need coffee to keep up with whatever I’m being dragged into, Ms. Baker.”

“The school is in your jurisdiction, and we have concerns the administration might try to sweep too much under the rug,” Justina said. “Especially since we already have one former student willing to go on the record.” She nodded when I couldn’t hide my shock. “I promised her that you would allow me to make sure her college wouldn’t take her spot or punish her somehow.”

“Your damn right I won’t,” I agreed, glad we were on the same page and she knew me well enough that she could make that promise without even having to tell me. I glanced at Irene with an apologetic look.

“Something’s going on at school, and my brother’s being a stupid man,” she said before I could. “I’m caught up enough to figure that out.” She gave him the look he deserved. “Shut up. I’m the only reason you got out from under our parents too. You soaked up a bit too much of their sexism, and I won’t let Grace suffer for it.”

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