“Considering the threat, it might be a good idea to have a couple of the local Enforcers work at the bar undercover for the foreseeable future.”
Darcy laughed. “Yeah, because my overly suspicious - can’t keep a secret - family would never twig that something big was going down if some of the Enforcers began working here. Like I said,secretdeputy, just act normal, keep doing what you’re doing, and suspect everyone.”
“When’s the briefing?”
“Um, soon… ish?”
“It’s not going to be some slap dash barely legible notes scrawled on the back of a torn receipt, is it?”
“Well, not now it’s not. I’ll organise something more formal, happy?”
“Not really. I have a dead asshole in my kitchen. Have discovered a Cabal of Deities is secretly plotting to take over the Earth. Potentially targeting my sister. And to top it all off, I findI’ve been co-opted by the scary ass Southern Sanctuary Special Liaison to act as her secret knows-nothing dogsbody.”
“Awww, you called me scary ass. For that I’ll do you a favour.”
“Please, no more favours. I fear your definition regarding what constitutes one differs vastly from my own interpretation.”
It took a moment for Nico to recall which number smile had just tilted up the edges of Darcy’s lips. Mierda, the number forty-eight. The - I love you but this will definitely hurt you more than it will hurt me – smile.
“I completely and humbly apologise for any and all transgressions against you.”
Darcy chuffed a laugh but the number forty-eight remained fixed in place. “I like you, Nico.”
“Then grant me dispensation or for the love of all the Saints, amnesty.”
“No. No. You’re going to love it, probably, eventually. Well, okay, yes, at first, you’re going to loathe and despise it.”
“I’m begging you, Darcy, no favours. I’ll be your secret special deputy for as long as you want. No complaints. You say jump, I jump. I’ll dig ditches and store as many bodies in my freezer as you need me to. Just don’t do me any favours.”
“Hmmmm, well, I do believe we might end up getting a little tight on freezer space. A second storage option would be useful. And the no complaining and ditch digging offer is undeniably attractive.”
“You say how wide and how deep, I promise they’ll be the best ditches you’ve ever seen.”
“Six foot usually does the trick. Fine. But the no complaining starts now. And I’ll be assigning you a partner.”
A partner? That sounded… useful. Someone no doubt trained in combat and intrigue. An extra pair of ears and eyes to look for anything or anyone suspicious. If something did hit the fan, then back-up would come in very handy. Except, this was Darcy hewas talking about here, and that number forty-eight smile wasn’t shifting.
A partner? Someone who Darcy considered suitable?
Crap.
Chapter Three
Setting rules and being firm with her extended large family required constant vigilance and lots and lots of positive reinforcement. Prior to openingGigi’s Chocolate and Cookie Emporium, the family would think nothing of stopping to chat to Gigi in the checkout line, whilst she was at the gym, or visiting her mother at her hair salon, and rattling off a list of goodies they wanted Gigi to make for their next get together, shindig or party.
Gratis, of course. And could she have it all ready by tomorrow at ten?
These days Gigi carried business cards everywhere, passing one over whenever she was cornered, along with a delighted but firm smile, reminding her relatives that they would need to book a consult if they wished to make a special order. Also advising that the card carried her website address, where they could see a recommended pricelist helped to winnow out those looking for a freebie or a time sensitive rush job.
Gigi had been planning her Emporium for a decade. Not just the sumptuous shop front, decked out like a Parisian bakery, with lots and lots of dark purple accents in Canary’s signature colour. But her dream industrial kitchen. From the height of the workbenches, to the brands of the ovens. Every detail, no matter how small, had to be perfect.
And it was.
Of course a gorgeous shop and magnificently fitted-out kitchen could only get you so far. In the first few months after opening, time had been Gigi’s enemy. There had never been enough hours in the day. No time to spend idly chatting with the customers to get their reactions to her creations. Or just while away an afternoon experimenting and tweaking a new recipe to get it exactly perfect.
She’d had to learn to juggle five things at once, all with a smile on her face. Dragging herself off to bed every night well after midnight, spreadsheet numbers still dancing in her head concerning the days earnings, matching them against how much everything cost. Only to drag herself out of bed a few scant hours later to begin preparing all the goodies and treats for that day’s trading.
She’d secretly wept the first day she employed a shop assistant. Aunt Daisy had been a Goddess-send, given she’d been raised from the cradle helping her Great-Grandmother, Margot, bake magical goods. Daisy was garrulous and a natural saleswoman. Readily able to convince shoppers to purchase more than they intended or to try something new.
