Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Titus left Emelia’s parents’ house and headed north.
His visit had uncovered nothing new. However, he got a better sense of who Wyatt was. By all accounts, Wyatt felt entitled to Emelia’s fame and had narcissistic tendencies.
Sterling didn’t think Wyatt was behind Emelia’s problems. He thought Wyatt was a coward and lazy. If confronted, he might issue threats but would back down. Besides, Wyatt had been more than happy to ride Emelia’s coattails.
One of Titus’s requests to her parents was that they wait for him to return home to Haywood Lake so he could explain to Emelia what he’d done before they called her. They weren’t happy but promised to delay calling her for a couple of days.
He called Chase and Colt and asked them to encourage Naomi and Felicia or Isabelle to plan a get-together with the girls. Additionally, he reminded them to have someone drive by the bakery occasionally, just in case.
Having done that, he planned to enjoy the drive to Poughkeepsie. The information he pulled up on his phone showed the city sat on the banks of the Hudson River, and the Culinary Institute of America was close by. Titus smiled, remembering when Emelia told him that she attended the CIA. His initial thought was, seriously? The CIA? She didn’t seem like the spook type. That just goes to show you where your mind goes sometimes.
It was a peaceful drive up I-84 from Warwick. Soon he’d grab 9W to route 44 west, cross the mid-Hudson, and be at his destination in an hour or so.
It gave him time to mull over his plan to confront Wyatt. Titus thought about all the ways he could hurt Wyatt, all the pain he could cause. However, he wasn’t here today for that. He wanted to feel Wyatt out and have him explain his threats. He’d go from there. He intended to tell Wyatt that he had eyes on him and his threats weren’t working. If that didn’t work, well, he’d have to come up with something else. There was no way Wyatt was going to continue to scare Emelia.
The GPS in the car directed him to Wyatt’s bakery, situated close to a community college. Titus parked the car and strolled along the tree-lined sidewalk to Hudson Delights. He inhaled the crisp autumn air. It was a pleasant walk. Students were walking with to-go cups, talking, laughing, and just enjoying life.
Titus swallowed hard. Showtime.
He stepped into a bustling bakery.
It wasn’t fancy inside. Booths along one wall were filled with customers, mainly students from the looks of it. Wyatt chose his location wisely. Titus had seen no other bakeries close to the college.
Soft jazz played in the background. A couple of young women giggled over something.
Another wall showcased cookies, cupcakes and other treats. Wyatt didn’t have a barista or an espresso machine. Just two commercial coffee makers set on one part of the polished wooden counter. The cash register was at the far end. The bakery’s sleek and modern appearance sharply contrasted with the warm and comforting atmosphere of Lilypad Confections.
From the sweet scent of sugar and cinnamon, someone was baking in the back, and Titus’s stomach growled. He had missed lunch, but he’d be damned if he bought anything from Wyatt.
Two young women were manning the counter and cleaning tables.
“Is Wyatt around?” he asked.
A woman tilted her head, questioning the need to see him, but remained silent, gesturing to the back. “He’s in his office.”
Titus passed through the kitchen similar to Emelia’s with the ovens, racks, workbench, and all the machinery needed to run a bakery. A woman was rolling dough and barely acknowledged him.
Wyatt’s door was open, and he was on the phone.
Titus took a moment to observe Wyatt at his desk. Reddish hair, medium build, not bad-looking for a dickwad. He had on a polo shirt with an insignia of the bakery.
Titus knocked twice on the door frame. Wyatt held up a finger. He finished the phone call and looked at Titus.
“Can I help you?”
Titus walked in. “I sure hope so,” he replied, pulling a chair in front of Wyatt’s desk and turning it around before sitting down. He fixed his gaze on Wyatt.
After a few uncomfortable minutes, Wyatt raised his brows. “What? It seems like you have a problem with me, man. What’d you want?”
Taking a deep breath, Titus exhaled slowly. “I want to know why you’re harassing Emelia Wells.”
“Emelia?” Wyatt furrowed his brow in confusion. “What the hell are you talking about? Not that I have to explain anything to you, but that bitch moved away. I don’t know her whereabouts, nor do I care. We haven’t been in touch for months.
Titus stood abruptly, pushed the chair out of the way, placed his hands on Wyatt’s desk, and leaned in close. “If I ever hear you call her a bitch again, it won’t be pretty.”
Wyatt’s eyes widened in surprise, and he gulped. “Fine.”
Titus settled back in his chair.
Wyatt leaned back, let out a deep breath, and steepled his hands. “Why are you here asking about Emelia?”
“Someone’s been harassing her and brought up the trouble she had with you regarding money you felt you were owed and negative reviews on social media. Finally, Emelia confessed to me that you threatened to ruin her.” Titus slapped the desk, causing Wyatt to jump.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Wyatt took a minute before responding. “Although it’s none of your business, I’ll explain. First of all, Emelia owed me the money, and as for social media—” He shrugged. “I have no control over that.”
Wyatt pursed his lips and shook his head. “The bitc— Emelia and I haven’t spoken since she left the state. She tried to sue me, but there was no case. Ask her lawyer.
“Look around,” Wyatt continued, opening his arms. “I have my own business to run—a successful business, I might add. I don’t have time to harass anyone. Besides, once she left town, I forgot all about her.”
Titus stared at Wyatt. The man might be a number one asshole, but Titus believed him.
If Wyatt wasn’t harassing Emelia, then who was?