Delilah and I meet with the bakery managers in the afternoon and make sure they understand all of their responsibilities, give them back up contact information, and reassure them we trust them completely. It's the first time we are both going to be gone at the same time, so we do our best to hide our nerves and give them as much encouragement as possible. We help prep dry ingredients for a couple hours so there will be less work for them to do without us there.

 

Marco holds the back door open for us when we are ready to leave. Bronx's midnight blue Aston Martin Superleggera is idling in the alley. Bronx tinted the windows dark enough that I can’t see him inside, but I can’t imagine him letting anyone else drive it. I1look down the alley and don’t see any of the sedan’s the guards usually drive, except the one Marco drove us to the bakery in. Bronx's car only has two seats. He had to have it specially made because he is so tall. There's definitely no room for guards.

 

“He said it's a surprise and no guards tonight,” Marco shrugs, feigning innocence.

 

“You knew? Delilah? Are you in on this too?” I put my hands on my hips.

 

“Je ne sais pas de quoi vous parlez [I don’t know what you are talking about |," she shrugs as well, but doesn’t feign innocence nearly as well as Marco. Probably because of the light blue color in her eyes.

 

I look down and realize I’m wearing leggings, a black zip-up hoodie with flour streaks where the apron didn’t completely cover me, and a purple t- shirt with the bakery logo on it. I feel my face flush, knowing I'm about to get in a car that costs more than most people’s homes, looking like this. Delilah licks her thumb and wipes some sugar off the side of my face, and helps me fix my ponytail.

 

“You two are traitors,” I growl a little at them when Bronx steps out of the car looking drop dead gorgeous in a dark gray suit with a white shirt. He walks over to the back door of the bakery and takes my hand, giving it a little kiss. The little sparks from his lips touching my hand make my face feel hot. I breathe out a deep breath, feeling self- conscious with Bronx giving me this type of attention in front of Marco and Delilah.

 

“Don't worry, boss, I'll have her home by midnight,” he winks at Marco before leading me to the passenger side of his car and opening the door for me.

 

He gets in the driver side and leans over, putting my seatbelt on for me, “ Bronx, where are we going? I'm dressed for work, not to go anywhere I need to be dressed up.” °

 

He takes my hand and kisses it again and gives me a sexy smile, “Don’t worry, Baby. You don’t need to be dressed up. I just have a little surprise for you, not to mention, I wanted to spend some time with you.”

 

you haven't seen how many photographers are out front today. They caught wind I was on my way here.” “Oh, crap,” I take a second to decide. If I try to hide my face, stories will come out that there is some reason for me to hide. If I accept my fate and let them take my picture with no mind, they might say that I'm not

 

big grin for the cameras as the car crawls forward. Bronx goes as slowly as possible, trying to avoid hitting anyone who's leaning over the

 

Right. We, uh, we need to come up with some sort of alibi,” he looks at me with a smirk, "

 

I raise

 

prosthetic eye?” He sticks his bottom

 

more believable. Otherwise they are going to post stories about you stealing one of Lenora’s eyeballs or something as equally ridiculous,” I nod in agreement. “Agreed. You wanna talk to them real quick? It's the

 

rolling my eyes at him and

 

through, please?” I ask

 

where you two love birds headed?” “Where are your guards?” “Is it date night?” "Do you have an

 

night,” I look at Bronx with a smile. He squeezes my hand and

 

photographer finally asks. Bronx points below his fresh eye, “ Prosthetic eye. Looks real, doesn’t it?” “Yes, sir. It sure does.” “Who is your doctor?” “What company

 

event,” I ignore their questions and give a little

 

good at that,” he

 

be told where the

 

at me as he gets on the highway and slams on the accelerator so no one

 

with tree leaves turning the distinctive colors of autumn. My mind wanders as I think about the trees at the

 

end of this life to be born anew. Preparing to end their reign as powerful leaders caring for others, only to become vulnerable children who need protection themselves. I consider my role among these women and how my actions have affected their lives in the past and will continue in the future. I now understand the reasons for my past actions, but were

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