Chapter Seven-Conrad
At The Tasty Tart
I kept my tone neutral, professional, even though every nerve in my body was lit up like a live wire just being near her.
Her hair was pulled back, her cheeks pink from exertion—or fury—and the faint smell of sugar and smoke clung to her skin.
It was intoxicating, and not just because my Python was already convinced she was ours.
She nodded, lips tight. “Yes, I got here about then.”
The more I questioned her, the more I could hear the frustration in her voice.
Hell, I felt it.
And it was killing me.
Another attempt to destroy her bakery in as many weeks, and each one had my inner beast coiling tighter and tighter around the need to protect her.
“I think it’s time we talked about who might have a grudge against you,” I said, already bracing for her reaction.
Her eyes flashed, that stubborn streak rising like the tide. “I’m part of the Witch Trifecta keeping Castor’s Corner safe. How could someone I know do this to me?”
I didn’t want to say it, but I needed to be thorough for her sake, asking her about the possibility of disgruntled customers and the like.
She puffed up instantly, arms crossing under her perfect, maddeningly distracting breasts.
I couldn’t help the corners of my mouth curving as she told me off.
Sexy, badass, Witch. I see you.
“Bella, I know you have a gift for baking. And for the record, I think your goodies are perfect.”
And I meant every damn word.
Her mouth softened just a little, and for a second, I thought I might’ve snuck past her defenses.
Then her chin came up again, stubborn as ever.
I kept right on with the questions, doing my duty as Deputy and possible mate.
And sweet Bella rattled off a few offenses—the wrong shade of blue fondant, a substitution in donut filling, a late delivery—and I had to bite back a laugh.
“Not sure any of those qualify as arson-worthy, but I’ll look into it.”
Her familiar darted past with something pink in his furry claws.
She spotted it first. The ruined remnants of her favorite pink apron.
Her face fell, and my chest tightened. But my Witch was no doormat. Almost as soon as it appeared, her sadness was replaced by something else.
Anger.
Determination.
A promise for vengeance.
And I couldn’t have been prouder of her.
But before I could say anything, her magic flared—pink and white sparks shooting from her fingertips—and suddenly we were ankle-deep in hardtack.
“Bella?” I tried, stepping closer, but she was in full Witch fury, shouting at the unknown arsonist like she could will them into submission.
I put my hands on her shoulders and gave her a firm, steadying shake.
“Bella? Bella!”
“I don’t know who you are, you loathsome, dirty, rotten arsonist! But I’m going to find you, and when I do, your goose is cooked!” She shouted, breasts heaving with exertion, and pig that I was, I looked.
Hell yes, I looked.
“Hey, it’s gonna be alright now. Bella? You good?”
Her eyes met mine, and for a beat, I felt that pull again—the one that made me want to scrap every professional boundary and just claim her here and now.
My beast hissed, pushing for it.
But this wasn’t the time.
Instead, I kept my voice even, my grip gentle, and willed her to take that breath.
“I’ll be back to check on you later.”
“Just go. I’m fine,” she grumbled.
But I could see behind the lie.
This really shook her.
And to me, that was unforgivable. In fact, it made me furious.
“Bella, I promise you, I am going to do everything in my power to make sure you’re safe.”
Big blue eyes peered into mine, and with a subtle dip of her chin, she dismissed me.
I didn’t want to go, but there was nothing more I could offer her at that moment.
Feelings of failure and the need for revenge clawed at me, but I had a report to file.
When I turned my head, Petyr nodded at me, and I knew the Domovyk was telling me without words that he’d guard my sweet Bella in my absence, and I believed him.
It was the only way my beast would let me leave.
Later–Mayor’s Office
Jaxson was leaning against the corner of Evie’s desk, arms crossed, wearing his Sheriff face. Evie was behind it, flipping through paperwork but looking entirely too amused for the topic at hand.
“Another attempt was made on the bakery this morning,” I reported. “I’m requesting clearance to keep watch—round the clock—until we catch whoever’s doing this.”
“Is she okay?” Evie’s head snapped up, and Jaxson placed a large hand on her shoulder, offering his comfort to his mate.
Something I wished I had the right to do to mine. But I had to sit on those feelings for now.
But hopefully not for much longer.
“Yes, Bella is fine. She wasn’t hurt,” I said, and Jaxson nodded, all business.
Evie exhaled, and it warmed me to know how much she cared about Bella. I mean, I knew they were close—her, Donny, and Bella—but my sweet Witch always struck me as a bit of a loner. It was as if she purposely set herself apart.
Like she didn’t seem to understand she was every bit as valuable, important, and powerful as her two best friends.
I wanted to correct that. To make sure she knew just how amazing she was. If only she would let me.
“Makes sense to me. She’s part of the Trifecta, and if someone’s targeting her, it could be about more than just the bakery. I’ll tell Ryan to keep an extra eye on Donny, too.” Jaxson’s growly voice interrupted my thoughts, and I nodded my understanding and agreement.
Evie tilted her head, eyes narrowing with an impish gleam.
“Are you sure you’re not just trying to get in Bella’s pants?”
“What? No, I—” I started, heat creeping up my neck.
“Well, why the heck not?”
“Wait. What?”
“I approve!” she announced before I could dig my hole any deeper. “My bestie might be gun-shy about ye old badoinkadoinking, but if you feel about her the way my man feels about me, I don’t see the problem. Woo her, dammit! Witches need to be wooed!”
I blinked, trying for professionalism.
“Um, I’m here to talk about an official protection detail, Mayor Castor.”
She waved a dismissive hand.
“Mm hm. And if some romantic gestures happen to coincide with the official protection? Well, that’s just efficiency, Deputy.”
Jaxson’s mouth twitched, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
“Sounds like you’ve got your marching orders, Conrad,” Jaxson said with way too much satisfaction. “Keep Bella safe—and apparently bring flowers.”
“Uh, yes, sir?”
Yeah, it came out like a question, which only made Evie’s smirk wider.
Look, the last thing I needed was to have my complete and utter failure at wooing my mate dissected in front of Castor’s Corner’s golden couple.
For fuck’s sake, a man could only take so much.
I was this close to asking if they wanted to critique my kissing technique while we were at it.
But when the mayor and the sheriff—who also happened to be your boss—gave you orders, you didn’t argue.
You nodded, you smiled, and you prayed you’d live to regret it later.
At any rate, my Python was already fully on board with both objectives.
He heard keep her safe and bring gifts and immediately started planning our mating ceremony.
I was just hoping to survive the courtship phase first.