Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
The sunlight streaming in through the gaping holes where the windows used to be mock me with the illusion that this is just another perfect day. But it's not. Some fucking asshole broke in here last night and trashed my girl's dream.
Rage simmers in my gut at the reminder. Heidi barely said two words once I got her home last night. Instead, she curled into a tiny ball on my chest and cried herself to sleep. It about fucking killed me.
I didn’t sleep. I was too pissed. Before the sun even rose, I put out the call to my crew, determined to get this shit cleaned up before she had to see any more of the mess. The guys showed up at the asscrack of dawn, prepared to help.
Evan Whitcomb and Bodie Jinks are currently sweeping up glass. Devon Allegra and Emmett Madden are helping the window repair guys measure for new glass. Slowly but surely, the devastation is disappearing. But it’s not enough.
We place the broken countertop in the back of Dacen’s truck for him to haul down to his uncle’s shop. I don’t know if it can be fixed, but his uncle is willing to try for us.
“We’ll get this over to Dacen’s uncle,” Banks mutters, holding out his fist for me to bump. “Back soon.”
“Thanks, man.” I bump his fist before glancing at Dacen. “Thanks. And thank your uncle too, brother.”
Dacen jerks his chin in acknowledgment before climbing in the truck with Banks. Tony climbs in behind them.
I head back inside the bakery, catching Emmett’s eye across the room.
“What’s up?” he asks. Emmett and I have been close since he joined the department last year. He’s our arson investigator and a damn good dude.
"Can you keep an eye on this shit?" I ask.
He gives me a solemn nod. "Yeah, man. I got you."
"Thanks," I mutter, striding toward the kitchen, needing a minute to get my head on straight. But the damage in here is just as bad. The fancy blast chiller Heidi was so excited about is dented, cooling racks are bent, and baking trays are scattered across the floor. Her convection oven is broken.
I run a frustrated hand through my hair, grateful as hell Heidi didn’t see the damage in here last night. It would have broken her completely. I know fuck-all about baking, but I know this equipment was fucking expensive. Her insurance better cover all of it.
I pull out my phone and dial Don Waters' number, not giving a single fuck that I snooped through Heidi's paperwork to get it. I'd do a helluva lot worse to keep her safe.
"Hello?" Don answers on the third ring.
"Hey, Don? This is Alessandro Banger with the Silver Spoon Falls Fire Department." I quickly introduce myself. "I met you briefly at Sassy & Sweet a few days ago."
"Right. You were there with Heidi."
"Right. My girlfriend." I'm not in the mood for small talk. I’ve got too much shit to do today, and this is important. "Someone broke into the bakery last night and did some damage."
"How much damage?" he demands. "Is the building okay?"
I narrow my eyes, instantly annoyed. Typical fucking landlord question. But fuck his building. Heidi’s entire world is crumbling. "The building is fine," I bite out. "Heidi's equipment isn't."
"That's a shame. She's a good kid." He pauses. "Why are you calling me?"
I arch a brow even though he can't see it. "Because you're the landlord?"
"Her insurance would cover the damages, Alessandro, not me."
No shit. I take a breath, trying to rein in my temper. "I'm aware of that. I'm calling to ask about her lease."
Another long pause. "If you're asking me to let her out of it..."
"No, of course not. What the fuck?" I scrub a hand down my face. Is he usually an asshole, or am I just in a bad fucking mood? "I'm asking for a copy of it, Waters. I want to install a security system, but I need to make sure it won't violate the terms of her lease."
"You expect there to be more trouble?"
Do I? The question gives me pause. I don't want to make things worse for Heidi by causing problems with her landlord. And I have a feeling telling him the truth will do exactly that. "Expect? No," I hedge. "But she's important to me. I want to know she's safe here."
He sighs heavily. "Look, I appreciate your position, and I empathize with her, but I've already let her make too many changes to the building. The goddamn walls are pink and glittery now. If you install a security system, it's one more thing I have to pay for if her business doesn't make it. I can't have that."
Red flashes across my vision. "It won't cost you anything, Waters," I growl. “I’ll be the one paying for the system.”