Page 120 of Working for the Mob

“But I wouldn’t have had the opportunity if it wasn’t for you. I only realized my passions, my talent because of you. Genny, you empowered me to become a baker. ”

“Ha,” I scoffed. “I tried to stop you from baking bread to begin with.”

“No. You tried to stop me from spending money,” Lucy countered. “There’s a difference. You never told me I couldn’t bake.”

Was Lucy right? Would she never have become a baker without me? Was it just a coincidence that she became a baker while I was here, or would it have happened anyway?

“I don’t see how I played any part in your rise.”

I shook my head in frustration. Normally, I’d love an unintentional pun. But I couldn’t find anything funny right now if my life depended on it.

“Hey,” Lucy said. “Would you have wanted to run a café if we never came to Lannington?”

“Of course,” I said, but I wasn’t sure if it was the truth. I liked runningsomething. I didn’t necessarily care that it was a café. And it felt good to build something. To be a part of something bigger than just me. “I mean … I like working with customers. I like problem solving. I like feeling like I contribute to this town. I feel like I make a difference at the end of the day, even if it’s just by putting a smile on Mrs. Jenkins’ face.”

“You like doing the impossible,” Lucy said, and I almost smiled for the second time in a minute. “Sis, this is the first time that I’ve ever seen you happy, and I don’t mean because of some guy in a crappy car. You can’t let this set you back. You’re strong. Stronger than me, and––”

“Lucy, you’re strong,” I cut in, but she continued over me.

“––and certainly stronger than either of our parents. You’re smart, resourceful, you let me dress you. You’re going to land on your feet and do whatever the hell you want to.”

A small balloon inside me inflated with pride. I didn't know who will let me run their business like I was able to in Lannington. Maybe I’d have to wait for my manager to end up in a hospital bed again. But my sister’s confidence in me meant the world at that moment. She made me feel like I could do anything I wanted. Anything was possible.

Maybe that was the problem. I'd been pushing the whole time for Art’s approval––my parents’ approval––but my sister believed in me. And that’s all that mattered at the moment.

“And I’m positive that you can get us out of this place and we can …” Lucy stopped mid-sentence. We both froze at the footsteps thudding in the hall outside our room.

Another visit from Lawrence couldn’t be good. Why was he coming back already?

I held my breath as the door opened to reveal another Valuncia.

Chapter 37 – Art

Jamie and I kept our eyes peeled at the door while Lance talked to Lawrence Valuncia. Only pieces of the conversation made it out to us, leaving us to guess at what was being said. Lance's voice swelled like waves in and out. Jamie’s face remained solemn.

“He seems different, doesn’t he?” Jamie asked, and he nodded at Lance. I barely heard him. My thoughts were fixated on whatever the hell Lance was saying on the phone. “When he came to the hospital to visit me, he was pale and clammy. A little jumpy too. I’d never seen him like that. Much different than the foolish grin he always wears.

“He asked us if we needed anything. Anything at all. And offered to pay for everything. Art, in all my years working for you two, I never knew Lance to help out anyone.”

I just grunted a response. Lance was the last thing on my mind.

At last, the receiver slammed against the wall, and Lance shouted a curse. He stormed into the kitchen, his eyes fixed on the floor. Jamie and I exchanged a look as Lance paced behind the counter, his hands shoved firmly in his pockets.

I couldn’t stand to wait anymore. “Are you going to tell us what the fuck you just said?” I asked.

Lance slammed his hand against the counter. “He wants everything, dammit!”

“What?”

“He wants it all. He wants this café. He wants the butcher shop, the grocer, the factory. He wants the whole damn town delivered to him with a sparkly fucking bow on top.”

Jamie and I jumped when Lance kicked a chair clattering across the room.

Shit.

I knew this was bad. Lance would never trade the town for the Baker sisters. This empire was his inheritance. Our dad’s life’s work. There was no way he was going to let it go that easily.

But I’d do anything to ensure that Genevieve was safe.

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