Page 20 of Deadly Protector
CHAPTERSEVEN
“So have you told anyone you’re preggo?” Lizzy asked Angel as she grabbed a cupcake from the tray. “I mean, other than Juan, obviously.”
Angel just shook her head at Lizzy, used to her friend’s eating habits by now. “No, and it’s only nine o’clock. Too early for cupcakes.” She was setting up her bakery and Lizzy had decided to meet her here so they could chat about a surprise party they were throwing for one of Lizzy’s sisters-in-law. She’d met Lizzy at a work thing with Juan about six months ago, and it was as if they’d been friends forever. Lizzy was a little bit older and a hell of a lot wiser. The woman seemed to have everything figured out. And if Angel was being honest, she was in awe of her.
“I have three kids—it’s always cupcake time. Normally I don’t even get any,” Lizzy grumbled. “My kids devour them all like tiny little piranhas.”
“Liar, liar. I know your man saves at least one for you at birthday parties.”
Lizzy snickered and went to sit in one of the empty chairs away from the window. She had a habit of doing that, Angel had noticed. She never put her back to windows, and had to have a view of entrances. Angel’s husband was the same way and she figured Lizzy had developed those habits after being married to a former Marine for a long time. Not to mention she worked in professional security—and was the head of Red Stone Security’s cyber department.
“I’ve got a few ideas for the party if you want to hear them,” Angel said.
“Definitely, because I have none. My idea consists of cupcakes and champagne.”
Angel blinked, unsure if Lizzy was being serious.
“Oh, I’m serious,” she said as if reading Angel’s mind. “I figured you’d be good at this and I could get my sugar fix.” Grinning, she took a big bite of the cupcake.
“Oh my God, you’re so sneaky. But I don’t mind because we get to hang out. I don’t take orders well anyway so how about I just tell you what we’re going to do and you make it happen?”
“Perfect. I swear we’re a match made in heaven.”
Angel just shook her head, but laughed. “So what’s going on with your brother? Any news?” Lizzy had confided in Angel that her brother Benny had gone into WITSEC well over a decade ago and was now out. All threats to him were apparently gone and he was coming to visit. Lizzy was nervous but excited. It sounded as if her brother had been a screw-up—and Lizzy’s husband Porter had some reservations about Benny in general.
“He arrives in a few days and Porter’s starting to ease up a little. I can’t blame him for his reservations, given the past, but it’s been a very long time. Benny’s thriving now and he’s been clean and sober for almost a decade. All his friends are either in AA or NA and he’s about to get married.”
“That’s fantastic news.”
“Yeah, it really is. He still won’t talk to my parents, but I don’t care as long as I get to have a relationship with him.” Lizzy polished off the cupcake, then ducked behind the counter. “You mind if I check out what you’ve got in the back? You said something about red velvet cream cheese, if I recall?”
“I saved half a dozen for you—and your kids. They better make it home.”
“No promises.” Lizzy hurried back into the kitchen so Angel started the espresso machine, getting ready for the morning rush.
As she began moving around, the bell on the front door jingled and she winced. Oops. She must have forgotten to lock it when she’d been getting the tables outside ready.
Two men strode in, scanning the place before the first one met her gaze. His eyes and expression were hard, but she forced a smile. Her bakery saw a lot of foot traffic and she was used to putting on her “shopkeeper smile” for people who were rude.
“Hey guys, we’re not actually open yet for another ten minutes but if you don’t mind waiting about five minutes, I’ll get you set up. I just need to—” She broke off, heart constricting as she stared at the gun that suddenly appeared in the man’s hand. Ohgodohgodohgod.
He moved forward quickly as the other one flipped the lock. She started to step back but he was so fast, shoving right past the countertop and wrapping his hand around her throat. “You’re going to give a message to your sister Zamira for me,” he snarled as he shoved her up against the metal prep area. It dug into her back as he got in her face. “Nod for me!”
She nodded as fear whipped through her, leaving her paralyzed. All she could see was the giant gun in her face, smell the coffee on his breath as he leaned in close.
“Drop your weapon now.” Lizzy’s voice from somewhere behind her was hard, angry, unlike anything Angel had ever heard.
The man turned slightly, then stiffened. “I can kill her before you shoot me.”
Lizzy had a gun? Oh thank God. Angel remained still, trying to take small breaths. He still had his hand around her throat, but his grip had lessened at least. All she could think about was Juan, their baby, getting out of this alive.
“Maybe you can. But I can definitely kill both of you before you turn that on me. And say by some freak of nature that you get lucky and manage to kill us. My entire family will hunt you down and make you sorry you ever took your first breath.” Lizzy’s tone was quiet, lethal and more terrifying than if she’d been shouting. “You’re also on camera, dumbass. You know who the Caldwells are?” Her voice went even quieter as she asked what was clearly rhetorical. “They will find you.”
Angel could barely hear her friend at this point because her blood was rushing so loudly in her ears. But the man had taken a step back at least and was no longer touching her. She sucked in a breath but tried to make herself as small and quiet as possible.
“Hey man, we need to get out of here,” the guy by the door said. “There are a lot of people on the sidewalk.”
But the man with the gun didn’t move, didn’t take his eyes off Lizzy. And he was still pointing his gun at Angel. “I don’t care who your family is. You give your sister a message.” His voice shook with rage now. “She’s going to give me what I want, what her husband owes me. Or next time I’ll burn your little shop down with you in it. And I won’t stop with you. I’ll kill everyone in her family—starting with you.” He backed up then, still keeping his gun pointed at her as he hurried out after his friend.
