Luring Light - K.E. Osborn Page 0,31

club cut. Both their hands shoot up in surrender as they start backing up.

“Hey man, it’s a simple misunderstanding.”

“Yeah… I figured. You better get the fuck out… and if you come back, I’m gonna put a bullet in your cock, so you know what it’s like to be the dickless idiot you are, then I’ll shoot you between your eyes for good fucking measure.” I point, aiming at the loudmouth’s foot, then squeeze the trigger.

My gun recoils, the bullet flying out with speed and precision.

The idiot screams out in agony, jumping on the spot, leaving a trail of blood on Trixie’s freshly mopped floor.

“What the fuck did you do that for, you fucking maniac?” loudmouth’s sidekick hisses reaching out for his friend, wrapping his arm around him for support.

“Because I’m a bastard. You cross us, we don’t give you a second chance. Fuck up again, that little warning will be higher up and hit a vital organ. Now… Get. The. Fuck. Out.”

Loudmouth keeps his mouth shut as his friend pulls him out of the café, his bleeding foot dragging behind him. I flick the safety back on my gun, stowing it away, as Trixie rushes out from behind the counter. She lunges at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, pulling me to her in a tight embrace.

I tense, hating fucking affection as I stand uncomfortably. I’ve only just gotten used to letting Ivy touch me. I’m not on board with this, so I reach up grabbing Trixie’s arms, pulling her back as she exhales dramatically. “Thank you, Void. You’re a lifesaver. It didn’t look like they had guns or anything, but they were starting to become pretty damn vocal. I was getting scared.”

I take in the café, trying to see if there’s any damage other than the blood trail. “Did they take anything? Do any damage?”

“No, they were after cash. Honestly, maybe they were junkies after a fix. I don’t even think they’re aware of what’s out the back ‘cause they didn’t come looking for it… just the cash.”

“If it’s any consolation, I don’t believe they’ll be back, but I will have a brother sent to stand guard during the day for a while.”

“Thank you… I appreciate that.”

“Sorry, looks like I made a mess. Got caught up in the moment… I’ve had a day.”

Trixie grips my bicep. “Well, I’ve just made a batch of macarons. You wanna take some back to the clubhouse and try them for me, make sure I got the ratios right?”

I chuckle. “Oooh, ‘macarons’…” I use air quotes, “… I’m sure they’re awesome.” These are definitely not for front of store sale. She wants to make sure the ratio of sweet treat to weed is good to go before we sell them.

I got her back.

I’m more than happy to test them.

I need to space out for a while, anyway. I’m sick of this damn day. “Fuck trying them at the clubhouse, I’ll eat them now. Show me the way!”

“Lizzy, can you watch the store while I head out back?” Trixie calls out to her staff member.

“Sure thing!”

Trixie turns, leading me through the kitchen into the back area. She walks me to a concealed door, opens it, and we enter, making sure to pull it shut behind us. I furrow my brows, but then when I see the safe door, I realize what’s going on. Trixie punches in the code, it beeps, then she pulls on the heavy handle, and it opens. As we walk through, she looks back at me smiling, the door automatically shuts once we pass through into the small vestibule chamber where plastic see-through blinds hang down. Pushing our way through to a roller door, she slides it up, and instantly the smell hits me. It’s then I realize why there are so many safety precautions. The barricades need to be in place to block out the pungent smell of the product as well as to hide its existence.

We walk further inside, and there’s row after row of benches which line the large area, all packed with what look like desserts that are ready to go. There’s even a refrigerated section. Along the back wall is the kitchen, complete with multiple industrial stoves, sinks, white goods, you name it.

This is an elite setup.

Nycto and Trixie did good!

I like how covert this all is. “You must love this part of the store.”

She shrugs. “It certainly brings in a hell of a lot more money than out the front, but those who purchase these