As he went past Claudia, she turned to look at Audrey and gave her a thumbs-up.
“You’ve got this,” she mouthed.
While she appreciated the show of support, Audrey didn’t feel so sure.
With her brother in front of her and Mason behind her, it felt like she was walking to her doom.As they went into the back, Alexis looked over.She had finished cleaning up but was still standing there, probably wondering what was going on.
“You’re good to go home,” Audrey said to her.
Alexis nodded, but still looked hesitant.
“Hey, Zeus,” Mason called out from behind Audrey.“Can you escort Alexis to her car?”
“Sure.”
Immediately, Alexis relaxed, and Audrey kicked herself for not realizing what the other woman was worried about.Alexis had walked to her car plenty of times on her own, but never after a brick had been thrown through the front window of the bakery.Especially when it was dark already.
Having a big, muscular security guy walking with her would help assuage any fears.
Zeus sauntered into the kitchen and gave Alexis a look up and down, as if assessing her.The young woman ducked her head, not meeting his eyes as she put on her coat.He was pretty intimidating.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?”Audrey asked.She knew Ashley wouldn’t quit over this, but she wasn’t so sure about Alexis, and she needed both of them to keep the bakery going with how busy it had been.Plus, she liked Alexis and didn’t want to lose her.
Despite her obvious nervousness, Alexis nodded her head firmly, glancing up to meet Audrey’s gaze.
“I’ll be here,” she said softly.
“Good.Thank you,” Audrey replied with relief.
Alexis flashed her a quick, shy smile before ducking her head again as Zeus gestured for her to precede him to the back door.Audrey was relieved that he was there.She knew there were some issues with him fitting in with the team, but she trusted him to keep Alexis safe.
As soon as Audrey was in the office with Mason and David, her brother stepped behind the desk, though he was frowning at Mason rather than looking at the computer where the security camera feed would be.
“Why did you ask Zeus to take her?”
“Because it’s something I could ask of him that allows him to contribute to the team.Plus, it’ll give him a break from Drew.”
David’s lips pressed together.
“What’s going on?”Audrey asked.
“That’s what I want to know,” David countered, looking between her and Mason.
Yeah, so she’d walked right into that one.The best course of action was denial.
“Nothing.”She crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m teaching her about kink,” Mason said, sitting down at the computer chair to boot it up, apparently unbothered that her brother was now glaring at the back of his head.
“What doesthatmean?”David’s expression was turning pained.
“Nothing,” Audrey said again, contemplating kicking Mason.Not that he was within kicking reach.
“It means exactly what you think it means.”
“Weren’t you engaged to someone else a week ago?”David ran his fingers through his hair, shaking his head.
“No, I got un-engaged to someone else a week ago.”Mason clicked through the programs, pulling up the feed and rewinding to earlier in the evening while they spoke.Audrey considered melting into the floor as her brother looked at her.She turned her gaze to the ceiling.
