10

The rest of the event went as planned. Patti punished her nieces and so did Mary. Then Patti made a show of punishing Barb as well and making it clear she condemned her actions. Barb tried to fight back and argue, but she couldn't get her footing and seemed shocked that her mom would so publicly go against her.

And then to make it clear who was in charge, Patti beat her husband. He was shocked she could, but there was nothing stronger than a pissed-off woman who actually was physically stronger… Plus, right.

She was right to be this upset.

I saw some of the other groups mingling and getting a chance to get to know each other. And apparently, word got around about how much we were helping some, and others needed help.

Also, Jamie had a really great idea when he was drugged?

Hades was amused as he explained during our Sunday family lunch. Jamie had made the comment that not everything had to be done by the books when everyone involved knew I was a goddess.

And meringues were a pain in the ass. They were a complete pain in the ass, and everyone loved them and wanted more but hated to make them. It was the one thing in the factory everyone bitched about because they took so much time and were so damn finicky. If my power should be used for anything, it should be all the fucking meringues.

He had a point, but I wanted to know more about the idea.

Apparently, Jamie wanted to set up a group who faked making them. They would receive all of the sugar and egg whites that were needed… And I would just fill a huge warehouse with the meringues we needed. The packaging and pallets could all be there for me, but even if we had the ovens and everything for show, my power was better.

Yes, that was true for everything, but again, meringues were a pain in the ass more than anything else.

And it took so much less of my power if I had the actual ingredients to use. The packaging to load up. The plastic to wrap the pallets up with even.

Very true. I was glad Jamie really paid attention like he should as the CFO.

But he wanted a coven of witches or warlocks to work with a coven of vampires. A small one, and the vampires could be overnight security, and the witches and warlocks could handle the Costco trucks picking up or the ingredient deliveries. Manage it all.

Hell, print our packaging out there even or something that could just run and run instead of spending money ordering so many fucking labels. I thought it was way more complicated than that, but he did have a point.

And apparently, Hades had found such a group. A perfect matchup. In Vermont of all places. The small nest of vampires got along really well with the small coven of witches, and they protected each other when need be. Evidently, there were some pretty powerful witches in the group, and every so often some stupid wolves or warlocks wanted to carry one off.

The vampires made sure they regretted even attempting it, and the witches helped the vampires get blood and their cover during the day. Everything from handling the DMV and government offices that were only open during the day to—everything. It was a very symbiotic relationship.

But they were hurting, and this would help.

A lot.

"Do it," I agreed, thinking about how taking the meringues off the factory's plate would be the best idea as well. Which was also why we told the factory that the decorations factory would be handling the rest of the Easter meringues until we got a new location up and running.

After lunch, I went with everyone to the warehouse Hades said I could use and made exactly what I wanted Poseidon to copy. Basically, a container of my frosted sugar cookies shaped like eggs and decorated for Easter… With one missing in the cardboard sleeve.

He nodded he understood and used his power to duplicate what I'd done.

"It tastes exactly the same," Mary said in between bites. "This is your cookie. I would never doubt it after decades of having them."

"Eating millions of them," Kary drawled. "So they taste the same but without your power. And then you just fill in that missing cookie in each sleeve? That still might be too much for a church or prison."

"True," I muttered, studying the container. I made a bigger box with ninety-nine individually wrapped cookies. "One in a hundred shouldn't draw any suspicion at all, right? What are the chances one church has a bunch of murderers and they are the ones that eat the cookies?"

"A couple trillion to one," Dion said as he ate another cookie. "Even for a prison. Even max security prisons aren't stuffed with all murderers."

"Right, but your power doesn't just punish murderers," Mary reminded me. "One in two hundred for prisons. One in fifty for churches. Better safe than sorry."

"And a press release thanking all of the bakeries that donated their time to help Jesus's message of love but who didn't want to be named to stay humble," Dion muttered. "That would chap Father's ass."

I shared a look with Hades and Poseidon. Zeus wouldn't care enough what the humans did. Only if they fed his power as he was owed in his mind.

Mary caught on and cleared her throat. "We don't want him to get any prayers from this. We thank the bakeries who volunteered to help us bring a bit of sweetness for a better future while praying we don't repeat the mistakes of our past."

"Perfect," I agreed. "Prisons are supposed to be about rehabilitation after all." I shrugged it off when they all snorted. Yes, I felt the same, but in theory they were.

Hades joined in with Poseidon and we filled the huge warehouse, one side for prisons and the other for churches. I filled in the missing cookies, and they said they would get them all to the vampires to help distribute and we could do it again the next night since there would be a lot more churches than prisons.

I gave them questioning looks. "This is enough. I don't mean to keep dragging you both into my ideas and—"

"We want to, Sister," Poseidon promised. "We should have done more while looking for you. You suffered under a curse. Hades kept the underworld under control. I simply… Was. I studied and played with my power to learn some, but—I want to. I want to do more."

"I enjoy us having these moments," Hades admitted. "I will see you at the sprinkles factory to load up with meringues in a bit."

I chuckled as he disappeared. It was as if he was too worried about hurting his image to admit anything sweet now that he was scary Hades.

I honestly thought it was cute.

We met up, and I loaded them up to the brim so Costco could come pick it all up and then some and it was all back on them, not us for once. Same with the other factories, and the managers would handle hiding it all or whatever.

It eased my stress a lot to know we were ahead of the numbers and curve. AMC already had everything they would get for the deal, and we still had a week to handle all our own orders.

AndI had a fun night with Jamie.

So nothing shocked me more than when Colton was on the news Monday morning with some big press conference. We all froze when a customer was talking about it in line to pick up an order and hurried to flip on the program in the kitchen.

My mouth fell open to see him on location with Justine—my attorney—and Poseidon—as Morgan—talking about how Knight Developments was ready to take the next step into making more eco-friendly buildings. And he planned to start with the promise he made to support Karma Bakery in housing the growing number of employees we were saving from being homeless.

Plus, he hoped this was going to be the new standard for businesses going forward instead of always worried about profit margins and making the rich wealthier. To put his own money where his mouth was, he was pledging to work at a reduced rate with any company in the country who would hire a similar workforce as I had and needed housing to make it happen.

"Shit, I might forgive the man if he grovels a bit more," Irene muttered. "Seriously, that is a man who will support you through sickness and health."

I think I nodded, too shocked to really know what my body was doing at the moment.

He went on and on about how other companies said they would do more or said they would plant trees to help with their carbon footprint, but most times it was barely preserving forests already there. Or replanting forests cut down. That wasn't the same thing, and those companies knew it.

I had invested vast wealth to help Boston and paid my employees above standard—treated them better, and others in the industry hated me for it. Who didn't hate me for it? My employees. He'd spoken to a lot of them, and every single one had nothing but glowing things to say about me, from being kind to their kids to understanding that they were slow to learn.

He went on and on, without giving names, that I'd helped one who had lost her husband find a support system and help with her young kid, given her the means to a life after losing love and a safe home without burdening her in-laws. I shot Irene a look, and she nodded like she knew he was going to talk about her.

And how I'd given a raise so one of my employees could afford to put her mom into a home that she needed instead of going into poverty taking care of her by herself when she wasn't qualified. Or helping to pay off debt and find a better living situation.

On and on he went, saying that I wasn't a boss but a keystone species that made the lives of people around me better. That I was flexible and understanding of my workers who were in school and made sure that was their priority and they had balance to their lives. That I wasn't just a business owner, but a role model, and that was why people supported me.

And he wanted to support me—my vision of how to do better and be a responsible corporation. The system was broken in too many ways, and red tape and bureaucracies ate the funds meant to help people, so we had to find new ways, and I was that way. The model I had laid out was that way.

Wow. Just… Wow.

I was floored but also glad that Poseidon had a way to be introduced as an eco-friendly businessman so we could get his cover going and more power for him. I didn't care it was in my realm and not the oceans. I could use the help, and we were working for the same thing so… We should never have broken it all up and worked together instead.

We could learn from it now.

But I was completely floored at the speech Colton had made, so nothing upset me more than to find people at the factory trying to hide pictures of him from me Wednesday night. I didn't realize the photos were of him, but just they were hiding something.

I gave the teenagers a look and waved for the phone, worried they were up to something bad.

"We didn't want your feelings to be hurt even if you guys split," one of them said quietly as she handed it over.

That didn't make sense until I saw a picture of Colton opening a door for a gorgeous woman and leading her inside with his hand on her lower back. It was on social media with some comments about the hotel and the match they would make, blah, blah, and blah.

And it was posted about five minutes ago, taken recently.

"I'm sure it's about business and it's fine," I told them as I handed back the phone. "You were being squirrely, so I thought you were in trouble. We have too much to do to worry about gossip." I gave them a wink and went to handle what I needed to.

With steam practically coming out of my ears.

"Oh yeah, that's fine for sure," Renee said under her breath.

"Do you want me to ask Kary or Mary to kick your ass?" I growled.

She snorted. "Nope, but I'm going to find out where the fuck he is and who the woman is and send it to your phone."

"I don't care," I argued.

She gave me a look that she didn't believe me… Nor did she blame me for being upset.

Right? He had just been professing his undying feelings for me and offering to give up his magic so I would give him another chance, and he's walking into a hotel with some gorgeous woman?

"I'm done and heading out," I said as I went for my vehicle.

I might have used my power to skip a few heavy traffic areas and speed along so I was back by the bakery faster than actually possible. Right as I parked, Renee had the information to me.

He was apparently having dinner with the woman at the hotel's restaurant, and it was one that I had a deal with. The restaurant might be in the hotel, but it was its own entity, and the owner was the head chef.

He was on a date with a gorgeous woman at one of the places I made the desserts?

Oh, he did have a death wish or at least a desire for a beating.

If this was some sort of way to get my attention, he had it.

I ducked into the back making it so no one saw me and came back down a few minutes later dressed to impress. I told Tori I was stepping out and would be back before getting right back in my SUV and driving over to the hotel. I used the option to valet and only then realized I was acting like a jealous lover… To a man I wasn't involved with anymore.

What the hell was I doing?

I was about to call it off and wait for the valet so I could get my vehicle back, but then Renee sent me the social media profile of the woman.

And she owned a lingerie company.

Seriously?

Seriously?

I was going to put Colton in the ground.

I went inside before sanity returned to me and then entered the restaurant since I'd been there before. I instantly found him sitting at a table for four but not across from her. That irked me for some reason like they had to be closer even and next to each other like that.

"Do you have a res—" the hostess went to ask me.

"No need, love," I muttered, using my power to make her want to ignore me. I strutted right in like I owned the place. He must have felt someone using magic because he glanced up as I flicked my long black hair over my shoulder like it was planned or perfectly timed somehow.

And he choked on his drink.

Bastard. Yeah, he better realize he was in trouble.

I slapped on my fakest smile as I stopped at his table. "Oh, Colton, I had no idea you had a date here tonight." I nodded to the woman, not about to blame her for his bad behavior.

"Not a date," he coughed, thumping his chest. "Business."

"Not a date," the woman confirmed, glancing at her phone. "And business that's about to fall through." She let out a slow breath and smiled at me. "Why do men stupidly think being late to things flexes muscles or makes them seem superior when all it shows is their lack of time management and pettiness?"

"They have small penises and inferiority complexes, love," I chuckled darkly. "And they're men I don't do business with."

"Well said," she agreed, giving me a once-over. "I adore that dress. Apparently, Colton lost his manners." She extended her hand to me.

"Still choking," he coughed.

I could introduce myself and offered her my hand as well. "Arabella—"

Her eyes flashed shock. "Baker. I thought you looked familiar. You are even more lovely in person."

"She always is," Colton praised. "I'm sorry, I was shocked to see you here and looking so stunning, Arabella. I couldn't think of why when you'd be so busy with Easter orders."

Oh shit. Oh shit! Now I had nothing to say or a reason for my rash jealousy. I gave the woman a chance to tell me her name like I didn't know it and waited a beat before I caught on to who she was. "I love your designs. I have several of your pieces. They hold up well if you follow the care instructions."

"I love to hear that," she accepted, releasing my hand after we shook. "If you have a moment, please join us. I would love to talk a possible collaboration, and I won't pass on this opportunity when stupid men are playing stupid games."

"I'm not sure what collaboration you could want with a bakery," I hedged, even as Colton jumped to his feet and pulled the other chair next to him out for me. "And yes, I can take the time. I was going to speak with the head chef about a few things and our deal."

"Dressed like that?" she chuckled. "He's a lucky man."

"He is," Colton agreed, jealousy flashing in his eyes as I sat.

"No, not for him," I said firmly, not wanting to start trouble when apparently he hadn't been misbehaving. "I'm jumping around today." I hurried on before either of them could inquire more. "I'm still missing the possible collaboration."

"The right marketing can make anything able to be a collaboration and cross-promotion," she told me. "I was thinking maybe some of your dessert names could be colors for bra and panty sets. Or some cute camis and shorts with your logo because women who wear them are the dessert."

"That would be insanely popular especially since you are a very inclusive brand," Colton muttered… As he kept staring at me and what I was wearing.

"I'm definitely not against, it but I would think that's a bit more…" I wasn't sure how to word it because I didn't actually know her brand all that well. I had fibbed about having her items. I think I had one.

And I did like the bra, but I wasn't very knowledgeable.

"Cutesy. It's ‘cutesier' than we tend to be," she offered, not looking offended when I nodded. "True, but now and again, there's no reason to have a different type of product launch if you find the right edge and partner. This would be the perfect hook." She glanced at Colton and snorted.

It made me realize something, and I pointed between them. "What is the business—is he designing a new—are you a part of a new—"

She poked Colton's arm, and only then did he snap out of it. "Sorry, you look so beautiful, and I've missed you so much that I got lost in my head."

"Ahhh, that explains a lot," she muttered. "You were together."

"Almost," I admitted. "Sort of."

"We were something special," he argued. "You weren't ready for a label, but we mattered. It mattered to me. I know it meant something to you."

That was fair and I nodded. "It meant a lot to me before you were a boob."

"Oh boy," she sighed. She gave me a look that she knew exactly why I was in the restaurant.

I couldn't even deny it, begging her with my eyes not to bust me. "So what is the project?"

"Following your lead," she purred. "I need to expand, and I wish to provide housing and help for those I want to offer jobs to who are homeless or those who need to leave a bad situation. Women from shelters would be even better given my brand is all about women being who we are and taking better care of ourselves."

"Good for you, love," I praised, beaming at her. "I have no head for business or the details, only recipes and ingredients, but I am absolutely all for holding hands with someone who stands for that. My daughters handle more of the business side and would probably love to get involved with such an exciting collaboration."

"Beautiful," she said as she pulled a business card out of her purse. "My cell is on there. Have them call me and maybe I can meet them while I'm in town. I was trying to talk Colton into giving me a tour of your factory. Not for secrets, but I have concerns having housing attached to a factory for obvious reasons."

"I'm fine with it as long as you're not taking pictures or recording anyone's faces," I told her. "I hope it helps you learn like where we had keycard access needed and even how the cafeteria works to keep things manageable."

She gave me a relieved look, clearly thinking of exactly that and something so out of her wheelhouse.

I nodded and looked at Colton. "I'll let Renee know that you talked to me and it's fine. Really, I hope you can still make this work even if whoever is late." I glanced at my phone and frowned.

"Thirty-five fucking minutes. Unreal," she seethed.

"Order dinner and leave them the check if they ever show and want another meeting with you," I told her. "I'm sure there are other options for whatever they could provide." I shrugged when Colton winced. "She shouldn't put up with this, love. It won't get better. You were the one who said you didn't care if they were your friends, that you wouldn't let people treat me—"

"You're right," he sighed. "I've just had a lot of headaches lately." He swallowed loudly and gave me a look I couldn't interpret. "And some people leaving me hanging to worry I went too far over the line and made things worse."

Namely me. I never responded or gave him a real answer to what he said Sunday.

"Text me when you're home and we can talk," I offered after a moment. If I was jealous—and jealous enough to come racing here to interrupt his date—I clearly wasn't done with Colton.

I just didn't know what to do with him or what I wanted.

Could that be my answer?