Ellie hadn’t planned on inviting Josh back to the shop last night, but something made him seem . . . non-threatening. She’d stayed up late thinking about it, about him, and all she could deduct was when he spoke about his sister as she was missing her brother, she felt a sense of calmness. She knew she wasn’t herself lately, but last night even more so. Maybe it was that a car almost ran her down, or maybe it was just leaving Frank’s. More likely it was the combination. Although Josh seemed full of himself, there was something about him that struck her as family orientated. The fact he may have saved her life also played a part in it.

But today was a new day, and she had much to do. As she’d told Josh yesterday, this shop was everything to her, and now it was all she had. Ellie intentionally hadn’t mentioned Frank’s recent demise. She knew if she had, Josh would have wanted to console her. She didn’t want or need anyone’s pity. All she needed was to make sure someone paid for killing her brother.

Don’t let these cupcakes fool you. I’m not the sweet woman everyone thinks I am. I’m a Laroux, and we’re . . . tough.

She had to be in order to run a business, but compared to Frank, she felt like a wimp. He was the one who gave her confidence. Right now, standing in the kitchen and looking at the list of things to do, she felt . . . overwhelmed.

Although Frank didn’t lend a hand in the kitchen, he was always willing to lend an ear and listen to whatever new creation she had envisioned. And each week he’d throw a challenge her way, some outrageous she’d never try like sardine cupcakes. She felt as though her creativity was fading. All she could think of was peanut butter and marshmallow cupcakes. That didn’t sound all that unique at all.

She reached in her pocket and pulled out the list she’d found in Frank’s apartment. Was it possible that was a list of ingredients he’d written for her to try? This wasn’t supposed to be a find a fun way to eat your veggies competition, but with Frank, it was highly possible. Looking it over she decided to give it a try. The first on the list was going to be easy. Maybe too easy, but for Frank, she’d do it.

Walking to the large board she had on the back wall, she wrote out each of the items, but not in the order Frank provided. She needed to ease into this challenge. Corn was first, and then she decided to go with the beets. That would be a pretty red. Avocado would make a great filling if done right. Immediately she thought of using sweetened condensed milk and lime juice. It would have a key lime flavor once she was done. The asparagus, well that could be smoothed and added because it did have a bit of natural sweetness. There was no rule about using two ingredients in one cupcake.

Okra and lettuce, well those were going to the end because she didn’t have a clue as to what to do with them, but the radish . . . she could candy it and make a design for a topper. That left three more. Oh Frank, you really wanted to make this impossible. She liked creamed spinach and would think of something. Mushrooms were great on burgers, but the texture didn’t belong in a cupcake. She would need to do some research for that one too.

She laughed as the vision came to her. She’d make a cupcake that looked like a burger but was a dessert, and she’d use the eggplant in that one too.

Now she had an agenda, all she needed was to execute a plan. This wasn’t what she’d thought she’d be doing today, but right now it was what she needed. First thing was head to the farmers market and gather some fresh veggies. No matter what she made, it was from scratch. Even her peanut butter was from peanuts she ground. Crazy and excessive, yes. But she prided herself on being different, and this was how she trademarked her desserts.

There was a knock on the front door of the shop. It was closed on Mondays, so they would go away once they read the sign. Instead, the knocking continued, and the person didn’t seem to be giving up. Finally, she left the confines of the back kitchen, and her jaw dropped when she saw who it was.

Darn. How could she forget that she’d invited Josh back? It may have only been to wash pots and pans, but he still showed up. Ellie wasn’t sure if she was happy or not. She couldn’t afford a distraction. Right now she was a woman on a mission. Grabbing her keys, she decided to cut him off at the door by thanking him for coming, but she was leaving.

Ellie opened the door and slipped through, shutting it behind her. Smiling she said, “Sorry, I totally forgot you were coming. I’d love to stay and chat again, but I’m off to do some shopping.”

“I thought you said you were baking,” Josh said.

Heading to her car, she said, “I am. There are a few last minute things I need to pick up.” She unlocked her car and sat in the driver’s seat. Josh took the seat next to her. “What are you doing?”

“Joining you. I thought you said you wanted my help today.”

That’s when I was on my sugar high last night. “I was only joking.”

Josh didn’t budge. “I never joke when I offer a helping hand. And I cleared my schedule today.”

“I thought you said you didn’t have anything to do?”

Josh grinned at her. “And here I thought you forgot all about asking. Okay, so where is your list?”

He was so . . . exasperating, but if she didn’t go now, she wouldn’t have anything prepared for when the kids arrived after school. Starting the car, she said, “It’s in my head, now buckle up.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive?”

Ellie looked across the street to his Jeep. “I’m surprised that thing makes it around the block. If you don’t want to be seen in mine, feel free to get out.”

Josh laughed. “I’ve been in worse, obviously.”

Thankfully the farmers market was only a few miles away. She found close confines with Josh unnerving. He seemed nice enough, funny, and of course extremely handsome. Although it’d been brief, she hadn’t forgotten what if felt like when her body slammed into his. The man was solid muscle, which she had no use for right now. Ellie had important things to concentrate on, and Josh wasn’t one of them.

Glancing over, she caught sight of him. He seemed to be a hundred miles away as well, always looking at something. At least he wasn’t making idle chatter.

A parking space opened up, so she grabbed it. The market was well known, and a lot of restaurants stopped by to hand pick their fresh fruits and veggies. She was late getting there, yet it was still busy.

“This is where you come?” Josh asked as they got out of the car.

“I shop and support local businesses.” And hope they do the same.

“Nice.”

Ellie handed him one of the bags with a huge picture of a kitten playing with a ball of yarn on it. “Since you’re here, you might as well be useful. I’ll shop, you carry.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She ignored the dashing grin that had come with his response. Ellie didn’t want to notice anything more about him. Frank had told her to be leery of people being too nice, too perfect. So far Josh fell into that category. Yet, here she was tramping around the marketplace with him only feet behind her. But at least she was where people knew her. Most people who came here were regulars. There were always a few visitors from out of town, but they were easily spotted.

Stopping abruptly, causing Josh to do the same, Ellie spun around and asked, “Where are you from? I mean what are you doing here?”

Josh didn’t even blink as he held up the kitty bag and said, “I’m here because that’s where you are.”

“I mean here in Yonkers,” Ellie explained with her hands on her hips, demanding a straight answer.

“I feel like this is a trick question.”

“No. It’s just I don’t believe I’ve seen you around before.”

Josh nodded. “You’re right. I’m sort of new to Yonkers.”

“Where were you before?” Ellie asked. Yes, it seemed like an inquisition, but a woman needed to protect herself. Should’ve done all this yesterday.

“I was living in Newport, Rhode Island. I am one of seven children, four brothers, and two sisters. Never been married, not even close, and oh, I’m a Leo, birthday is July the twenty-ninth. I can continue if you’d like. I’m up to date on all my shots, and my teeth are in good condition.”

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Okay. I get it. And I didn’t mean for it to sound so accusing when I asked. It’s just that . . .” She didn’t want to say it, but somehow she needed to explain her tone. “Something happened recently that . . . changed everything. I’m not the same person I was.” And I never will be again.

Was it her imagination or did Josh’s eyes soften and a hint of something, maybe his own pain, shone through briefly? Whatever it was, it vanished quickly.

“None of us are. We are all a product of our life experiences.”

“You sound like you have faced some . . . difficult times as well.” She wanted him to open up, so she didn’t feel quite so vulnerable.

“Twelve years in the Marine Corps.”

That would do it. It also said he was a man of honor as well. Because Frank also said heroes carried themselves in a way that made another person feel safe. That’s what Frank was, to her and to others. Maybe that’s who Josh was as well.

“Thank you for your service.” They were words she’d heard Frank say many times. He’d said many of his trusted friends weren’t in the Bureau, and he eluded they had been in the military. Of course, he never shared any more than that. She wished she could recall who had attended the funeral. Maybe then she’d have gotten to know his friends.

Ellie didn’t want to live her life in I should’ve because it was only going to stand in her way of being successful in anything. She had friends from high school who had yet to decide what they wanted to do with their lives. Ellie might only be thirty, but she knew what she wanted; getting there was just taking a bit longer.

“So if we’re done, maybe we can get whatever you came here for?”

She smiled at Josh. “We better because I have a bunch of hungry teenagers showing up in a few hours, and we have a lot to do.”

Once they were back on task, they were in and out of the market and back at Toot Sweets. Josh carried the bags inside and then rolled up the sleeves on his grey button-up shirt.

“Where would you like me to start?” he asked, waiting for instructions.

“How about you watch while I bake?” Ellie offered.

Josh smiled. “That I can do. I’m even willing to be the taste tester if needed.”

Ellie chuckled. “You may have been in the Marines, but I wouldn’t suggest trying to take the cupcakes away from hungry teenagers. They can be—”

“Maybe I’ll bail before they get here,” Josh teased.

“You might want to. If you think I’m bad with the questions, you should see these kids. They’re very protective, especially after . . .”

Josh waited, but she didn’t finish, so he asked, “After what?”

“My brother was killed a few weeks ago. These kids, my staff, and the entire city have been so . . . kind. I know I should be grateful, but right now all I want it to do is—”

“Disappear?” She didn’t know what to say, but thankfully Josh continued, “That’s how I felt when my sister Phoebe was killed. And I’d spent years in the military, had friends die in my arms from their injuries. Nothing compared to her death.”

And nothing probably will. I know how you feel. Ellie wanted to reach out and touch him, but his body language said he had a wall around himself not much different from hers. At least she now understood why she was comfortable around Josh. They connected through their loss. We’re both broken with heartache.

“Does it get easier?” Ellie whispered.

“Gets . . . different. But every person has to face the loss themselves and in their own way. I—”

“Buried it.”

Josh shot her a look then nodded. “For the most part, yes.”

“I don’t know what else to do but bake.” That was so true. She’d been so focused on keeping her business in the black before Frank’s death that when he was killed, she seemed to fixate on it even more. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, or so she told herself continuously. “What we are making today is based on a suggestion Frank, my brother, gave me.” She pointed to the board where she’d listed all the vegetables. “Today is corn, so sit back and relax.”

---

Josh sat watching her bake, but at no point did he notice anything she was putting in the bowl. He was too busy listening to all hell breaking loose with his family. Although his brothers Renzo and David seemed to have things under control, Josh wasn’t going to relax until he knew they were all safe.

Renzo’s voice rang loud and clear over the sounds of gunfire being exchanged. “Gabe, get Vanessa the fuck out of here.”

“I’ve got your flank,” David said, “Move now.”

Josh heard Ellie say something to him, and he had no clue what it was. He wished he could give Ellie the attention she needed. If he thought he could step away without Ellie backing off and trying to shut him out again, he’d excuse himself until everything settled down, but being here, protecting her, was his mission. He couldn’t risk fucking it up. Ellie had let him into her circle, and there was no better place to do his job than from the vantage point he currently had. Hoping a nod would suffice as an acceptable response, he waited. A few seconds later, she wrinkled her nose, smiled, and turned back to what she was doing. So did Josh.

Josh was used to being in the heat of the action. Sitting back and listening wasn’t easy. He couldn’t interject his opinion either; Ellie would probably question his sanity. Biting his tongue, he held his frustration deep within.

It was Gabe Josh worried about. He was crazy about Vanessa, and that type of distraction could make someone fuck up at times like this. He wasn’t sure if anyone else had noticed the lack of the cool-calm-collected tone missing from Gabe’s voice, but Josh didn’t miss much. Another round of gunfire blared, and he swore he heard the ricochet of bullets. Shit!

Gabe barked over the earpiece, “Cover the chopper. We’re out of here.”

“Roger that,” David replied.

Another heavy wave of gunfire exchange took place. He knew Gabe and Vanessa had made it on the chopper and heard the door slam shut. Come on. Get out of there.

“Clear,” Gabe announced.

Josh wasn’t going to breathe easily until they all were. Slowly the gunfire ceased.

Renzo said, “Call it in.”

That meant one thing, there were fatalities. It was the only time they couldn’t walk away from the fight. But they no longer had Frank at the FBI to come and handle the mess left behind. As far as the Turchetta’s were concerned, they still didn’t know who else they could fully trust in the Bureau.

“And who exactly am I calling?” Gabe asked.

Rafe, who wasn’t on site either, said, “I’ll take care of it. I want you all out of there now. Whoever sent these men isn’t about to give up. Gabe, you know where I want you to take her. Renzo, Hydria is here with me keeping an eye on Vanessa’s parents, but I think we need them relocated as well. Josh, are you listening?”

He needed his response to fit in with what Ellie was doing. “Yes. I’m in agreement.”

Ellie turned. “With what?”

Josh grinned knowing Rafe had gotten the message. “That you’re a talented woman in the kitchen. I can’t believe you made that cupcake out of the corn we bought this morning.”

“A bit too corny?” She chuckled at the play on words as she held up the cupcake made to look like candy corn.

Rafe said, “Keep her there and stay very close. David’s team is watching everything.”

“I think that’s brilliant,” Josh replied to both Rafe and Ellie.

“Roger,” Rafe replied. Then Rafe was barking off orders to the rest of the guys listening. Josh thankfully could tune into all the conversations at once, including the one with Ellie.

She was beaming with pride. “Good, then you’ll never guess what I plan on doing next week with the beets.”

Being here with her in the bakery seemed to be ideal. He could really hear her excitement as she talked. It was funny because she was so passionate about delivering top-quality unique cupcakes to her customers and planning for them far ahead. Josh wasn’t sure she’d even be in Yonkers tomorrow, never mind next week. Right now, their best guess was there had to be a leak in the FBI to whoever was pulling all the strings. That type of corruption took money and muscle. If the assholes had the balls to kill FBI and US Marshals in cold blood like they had, it meant they played for keeps.

The Turchettas had faced some real fucked-up individuals and come out alive. The key to their success had been knowledge of the enemy and knowing what they were dealing with. Right now, they were operating blind. If they didn’t gain the upper hand soon, they were in for a hell of a lot of trouble. The expression in Ellie’s eyes was one of contentment right now. At least Ellie was happily baking instead of stirring up any more unwanted attention. Right now, that’s the only thing in our favor.

“I can’t wait. Maybe I’ll even help with the baking,” Josh said with a playful wink.

Ellie raised her hands. “I think we’ll start with something simple, like . . . a chocolate cupcake. You can’t ruin that.”

Josh shook his head. “Don’t put any money on that one. You haven’t tasted my baking yet. If you value your taste buds, you may want to keep it that way.”

Pursing her lips and crossing her arms, Ellie said in a firm tone, “You think you’re going to get away with just watching all the time?”

Josh got up and walked over to her counter that was piled high with bowls. “Nope. I’m earning my keep on the clean-up crew. Besides, if I’m right, I get to lick the bowls before washing them.” He stuck his finger in the batter bowl and then gave it a taste. “Not bad at all.” Doing it a second time he held his batter-covered finger up and asked, “Want a taste?”

Before she could deny his offer, Rafe barked in his ear. “Don’t make me regret sending you there, Josh.”

His brothers knew him too well sometimes.

Ellie, however, threw him off guard for just a brief moment. Miss Sweet and Innocent had a bold, spicy side. She stepped forward and opened her mouth as though she was really going to lick the batter off his finger. What the fuck? The temptation to let her was hard to resist, but somehow, painfully, he did. Any other time this would’ve ended so differently. I would want to taste a lot more than cake batter. If he didn’t banish those thoughts, his body was going to betray him.

Josh forced a laugh while pulling his finger away before her lips made contact. “Sorry, this is my payment.” He quickly licked the batter off himself leaving him less than satisfied for what he truly wanted, and then turned away, holding the first batch of dishes.

He’d gone undercover many times, but never in such an intimate setting. Usually, he’d been required to act as the muscle. Now he was digging deep to pull out the sensitive guy, and it was a stretch for him. There was a line he couldn’t cross this time, and Rafe was right; he needed to be careful not to forget why he was there and who she was. Ellie might be ignorant to what was going on, but if he wasn’t diligent in his duty, he might be the one to get her killed.

He put the dirty dishes in the sink of hot soapy water and tried not to think of her working close by. It wasn’t easy, because the more he tried to forget the more Ellie drew him in by asking questions. She had an uncanny way of getting him talking about his family. He really needed to watch what he said because all but his sister Melissa was listening. Usually, it was an off limit topic. But if this was what was needed to keep him in Ellie’s good graces, then so be it.

If Josh didn’t already know all about Frank, he’d be asking Ellie questions as well. Instead, he would break from her line of questioning by asking nonthreatening questions about the shop. It was forced in the beginning, but the more she spoke, the more he wanted to hear about it. He was impressed. Ellie was a savvy businesswoman. Her shop and car might look as though she was just a fun-loving woman, but that was a misrepresentation of the person he was getting to know.

When the teenagers were about to arrive, Josh decided it was best he left or at least made himself not so visible. But he wouldn’t be far at all. Moving his shit-box of a vehicle a block away, he reached out to Rafe.

“I think we’re making a mistake. We should tell her what’s going on,” Josh stated.

“At this point, I don’t see how it would be beneficial to her,” Rafe responded.

“There might be something she knows that we don’t.”

“Instead of flirting, maybe you should be asking key questions. Get her to open up about Frank. We know he called her the night before he was killed. Ask her what he said.”

He knew what they needed, but that seemed so . . . harsh. Each time Ellie spoke of Frank, her brown eyes darkened with sadness. How could he intentionally hurt her? “Give me a few days. I’m sure she’ll open up more by then.”

Rafe grumbled. “Time is not our friend. You need to—”

“I know what I need to do, but don’t forget, Rafe, she just lost her brother. We know what it feels like to lose a sibling.” It felt like he was dying himself. And several times he’d wished he had. “We had each other, she has . . . no one.” Josh caught himself. He’d almost said that she had him. That wasn’t the case. He was here now, but only because Rafe sent him. If he had his way, he’d have been with his brothers protecting Vanessa.

Who the fuck am I kidding? Even if Rafe told him to pack his shit and give him another assignment, Josh wasn’t going anywhere. He was staying by Ellie’s side until those assholes were taken down and she was safe.

“Twenty-four hours, Josh. If you can’t do it, I’ll come and chat with her myself. Got it?”

“I’ll get the information.”

Josh wasn’t very happy with his older brother by the end of the call. Rafe might be right, but that didn’t make it any easier to swallow. He didn’t want anyone telling him what he needed to do in regards to Ellie. But that only proved to him he was risking getting personally involved. A line he’d never crossed before. And one I’m not crossing now.