Page 42 of Saving His Sunshine

I gape at him, Rivin snapping and snarling at my side. Icy fear slides through my veins, but I can't resist the urge to point out the obvious. "If your business plan is ripping people off, you need a new business plan."

“You’re right about that.” A wry smirk twists his lips. "That's why I made one.”

“W-what’s your new plan?”

“My broke tenant, in a fit of desperation, sets her own bakery on fire, hoping to save her own ass." His smirk grows. “And her poor landlord, who has a premium insurance policy on the building, gets a payday.”

No. Oh, God, no.

Bile crawls up my throat as he confirms my worst freaking fear. Thatispaint thinner on the floor, and he does plan to set this place on fire.

"Don, please don't do this," I plead quietly, my heart pounding. "You could kill someone."

He shrugs, the indifference in his eyes chilling me to the bone. "You mean you? You weren't even supposed to be here, Heidi. Ifigured your man would have you locked up at home. The place was going to go up with no one here. No one would get hurt. I'd get my money. End of story."

Desperation claws at my throat. "Then let me go. I-I won't tell anyone."

"Right," Don laughs, flicking the lighter.

As soon as the little flame appears, Rivin goes crazy. It’s like he knows the man is a threat, and that little flame means life or death for us. There’s nothing I can do to hold him. He lunges forward, snarling like a wild beast.

I cry out, losing my grip on the leash.

Don tries to evade him, but it’s already too late for that.

Rivin sinks his teeth into Don’s leg, biting savagely.

“Fuck!” Don roars, dropping the lighter as he tries to shake him off.

“No!” I watch in horror as the lighter lands beside a puddle at his feet. The paint thinner ignites with a quiet whoosh, flames erupting.

Don jumps back, effectively putting him on the other side of the fire. Rivin tries to lunge for him again, but the fire is between them. There’s nowhere for me and Rivin to go as the flames immediately begin to spread. Within seconds, another puddle goes up, and then another.

We’re trapped between the counter and the kitchen…and the keys to the kitchen door are still in my car.

Panic rises like bile in my throat as the walls begin to catch, the fresh paint acting like kindling.

"Please!" I cry, my eyes stinging from the smoke already billowing through the bakery as Don stumbles toward the front door, limping as quickly as he can.

He glances over his shoulder at me, his expression blank, and then unlocks the door before disappearing through it.

My eyes water, and I cough.

"What are we going to do?" I whimper, my voice trembling as Rivin whines, nudging his way under my hand.

I crouch beside him, wrapping my arms around him as the flames dance higher, consuming the counter and creeping even closer. The heat of them sears me, so hot I feel them licking at my skin.

I’m going to die here…all because I trusted the wrong person.

“I’m sorry, Alessandro,” I whisper, tears pouring down my cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”

Chapter Eleven

Alessandro

The siren on my dashboard wails as I race through the streets, my heart pounding out of my chest.

“Pick it up, Heidi. Please fucking pick it up,” I growl, my phone clenched in my hand like a fucking lifeline connecting me to her. I nearly had a goddamn heart attack when I picked up the phone and heard what was happening—her at the bakery, Don threatening to burn it down and blame her.

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