Page 51 of Tasting Sin

“You’re not very talkative, are you?” I put my hands on my hips, making it clear I was determined to have a conversation he wasn’t wanting to have.

“Not really.” He finally reached for the cup of coffee, deciding that if he did, it might get me to walk away and leave him alone so he could scowl in peace.

I dropped my hands to my sides. “You must be a really good friend of his then if you’re willing to hang out here and keep an eye on us.” It wasn’t his scene—anyone could see that.

He started to say something, but my attention was drawn away from him to a table of two girls who had bought strawberry cupcakes a few minutes earlier. One wiped her face with a napkin. “I could almost have another one. That was the best cupcake I’ve ever had.”

“So good. I hear the place is owned by the mafia now. Who knew they could bake?” her friend added, and both girls burst into synchronized laughter.

My heart leapt into my throat, and the sound of people talking, pans getting moved around in the back, and the light traffic outside disappeared behind a foggy filter. What did she just say? My ears started ringing, and I fought the urge to walk over and ask her.

“You’re not even listening,” Carlo said, forcing me from my stupor. I shook my head like it would clear the confusion. Owned by the mafia.

“I’m sorry. What’d you say?” I forced a smile, earning a sarcastic raised brow from him. He was less than amused, and I couldn’t wait to get away from him as quickly as possible.

“It doesn’t really matter. I’m here.” He took a drink from his mug, and I nodded, spinning on the ball of my foot and heading back toward the counter. I tried to walk slowly, but the panic that buzzed in every limb of my body made me hurry.

My pulse was pounding in my ears by the time I rounded the counter, and when the bell that hung above the door rang, I jumped. I clutched my chest, spinning around. When I stopped spinning, the room continued around me, and I stumbled, trying to catch my balance.

“Oh, thank God. It’s just you,” I said when I saw Stu standing there. He was empty handed. “I have the check for you.” I hurried to the register, hoping my hands would stop shaking in the few steps it took to get there.

“I don’t need it. I don’t have any paperwork for you.” He lifted a brow and tilted his head, and suddenly, I wasn’t sure who was more confused.

I blinked a couple of times, as if it might change the situation. It didn’t. “What’s going on?” I asked, hoping he’d fix his face and tell me why he was here without paperwork. I pulled the check I’d written from the register, slipping it between my fingers.

“Shouldn’t you know?” Stu looked at me like I’d said something stupid—almost like I was the one with all the information. “Your boyfriend owns it now.”

The pink bakery turned red, and my vision clouded. “What did you just say?”

“That man you’re dating bought the building.” Stu shrugged then whistled. “He spent a pretty penny on it too. Anyways, I don’t need that check. I just wanted to drop this off.” He handed me an extra set of keys. His keys.

“Thank you,” I said through gritted teeth. It wasn’t his fault, and for the most part, he had been a pretty good landlord. My head spun.

Be careful who you take help from.

Owned by the mafia.

Your boyfriend.

There was no way Ronan was in the mafia, was there? He owned a chain of pizza shops. Wouldn’t someone in the mafia be some high-level CEO of a sanitation company or something like that? Maybe I watched too much TV.

I looked at Carlo, more curious than before how Ronan had convinced him to spend all day here. He didn’t seem to miss a beat. Surely, he heard the entire conversation and was going to repeat it all to Ronan before I got a chance. I had to get there first. “I need to go,” I said, taking my apron off. When Carlo started to move, I put up my hand. “Ava is still in the back. I’ll be back later.”

Chapter 31

Ronan

“Itold you to let go of me!” The screaming could be heard before the door to my office flew open and crashed into the wall. Nellie was seething when she stormed in, Sal quick on her heels. She yanked her arm away from him, her chest heaving angrily when she turned to me.

Sal put his hands up in front of him like a peace offering. “Sir, I’m so sorry. I tried stopping her when she—”

“Back off!” Nellie shrieked. Her cheeks were dark red, and the creases next to her eyes got deeper when she glared. “He knows why I’m here.” Did I? I had my suspicions.

“Thank you, Sal. I’ll take it from here.” I stood up, rounding the desk toward Nellie. Even as I talked to my staff, I didn’t take my eyes off the anger burning on her face.

As soon as the door closed behind her and Sal was gone, she sucked in a deep breath and shrieked. “You bought it? I told you I could do it on my own!”

“You’re still doing it on your own.” I was calm while I closed the distance between us, but I could feel her getting angrier as I got closer.

---