Neville brushed him off with a shaky arm. “I’m not that old, son. I just….” He trailed, looked Jon over, and smiled. “It’s good to see you, Jon.” He pulled his paper bag close. “I should really get going. That paperwork won’t do itself.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like a cup of water to-go, at least? Or a tea?” Jenna asked.
Jon studied the older man as Neville shook his head and angled toward the older-model Toyota. It was one of two vehicles in the lot, and not the one Jon and Lance had pegged as belonging to the burglars. At least they’d read that right.
Lance moved up to Neville in quick strides. “Let me help you to your car, sir.”
Jon dipped his chin. Lance would notice if Neville was trying to hide symptoms of something problematic. In the meantime, they needed to more thoroughly secure the crooks, and heneeded to learn what the hell had been said about him. Jenna probably wasn’t who he should be asking that from. He didn’t know if he could trust himself not to question why there was no ring on her left hand, or anything else that wasn’t his damn place.
Jenna was eyeing the slumped figure who’d previously pointed a gun at her when Jon shifted his attention her way once more, her brow still furrowed.
She still scrunched her nose when she was thinking upsetting thoughts. He’d forgotten entirely about that.
“What do we do with them until the deputies get here?” She rested her hands on her hips. “Should we take off their masks, at least, in case they get away?”
In case they get away.Jon chuckled. “They’re not getting away, Jen. I’ve got this.” He almost reached out to touch her again, stopping himself halfway and turning the motion into a lame gesture toward the open storefront. “Think you could go inside and see if they’ve got something we can bind their wrists with? Zip ties or rope would be preferable, but we’re good at improvising.”
Jenna looked up at him again, the adorable crinkle over her nose disappearing, and rolled her lips between her teeth for a heartbeat. “I’m really … glad your dad is an asshole.” She let out a wet, choked-off laugh. “Which I never thought I’d say.”
He felt his expression soften. “I’ll talk to him. But for what it’s worth, I had no idea anyone was spreading that kind of shit.” Let alone that she might have been around to hear it. He wanted so badly to ask. But he was already pushing too close to the line.
She shook her head, drew a hard breath, and seemed to compose herself. “You don’t owe me, or anyone, an apology for that. Although I wish I could say not to worry about dealing with him, but I don’t see how you avoid it if you’ve come all this way.” Her gaze slid to the side, just for a beat, even though itwas Lance’s target who let out the strained groan. “Anyway, it’s a bakery, Jon, not a sporting goods store or some weapons’ supply shop. We don’t keep things likerestraintsin stock.”
Jon moved forward, encouraging Jenna to back up onto the sidewalk for his own peace of mind, and let himself grin. “I didn’t ask if they weresoldhere, although I’m happy to reimburse what we use or buy replacements later. But I figure there might be decent materials behind the scenes we can make do with, stuff used to tie up boxes or thread for sewing. Hell, apron ties would work, or quality ribbon.”
Jenna’s mouth opened. “Thread. You can’t be serious?”
“You’d be surprised.” There was no need to traumatize her.
She let out a heavy breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Right. Okay. I mean, my apron’s not in the machine yet, so we could take the ties off that. And I actuallymighthave a spool of ribbon leftover from the Valentine’s event.” She started toward the doorway as she spoke, but came up short as another man stepped out.
For a moment, Jon tensed. He’d forgotten there was another civilian inside. They’d originally estimated four and he’d only identified three—that was fucking sloppy.
The man paused, dark gaze sweeping over the scene in front of him and lips thinning.
Jenna stood a little straighter. “I’m so sorry about all this,” she said to him. “This is— It’s never happened before. Authorities are on their way, I’m sure these two won’t be back, but I understand if this incident has put you off. Could I at least offer you something else, on the house? As a small apology.”
Jon felt his brow pinch.She can do that?Was Jenna … the one in charge at this bakery?
The unfamiliar man held her stare for a beat before tucking his hands into his pockets. “That won’t be necessary. I’m only grateful these strangers were here to intervene before realdamage could be done.” He flicked a glance at Jon as he spoke, barely long enough to make eye-contact. “I’ll be in again in a day or two, as long as you’re open.”
A little of the tension slipped from Jenna’s shoulders even as the man turned to walk off.
Jon studied the man for another beat, but other than deftly avoiding where Lance was dragging his grumbling victim up against the wall, the man paid neither of them any mind. Jon leaned closer to Jenna unnecessarily. “You know that guy?”
“I don’t even know his name,” Jenna replied on a sigh. “But he’s a regular, and he tips well, and it’s always good to keep the customers happy.” She continued her forward trek.
Jon trailed behind, doing his level best not to stare at her ass and failing miserably. “I take it you work here these days?” The question was past his lips before he could catch it. He nearly winced.
The younger male from before, who seemed to be cleaning up a table off to the side, looked their way and grinned. “No, sir. Ms. Hodge owns the place.”
Jon came to a stop, the simple answer shaking too much inside him.
“Yes, thank you, Eric. I’ll answer my own questions from now on, though, okay?” Jenna said. “Could you run to the back and check on our decoration supplies? Bring out anything potentially tie-able.”
The kid actually blushed with embarrassment. “Yeah, sure!”
Neither of them spoke while he bolted out of sight, disappearing behind a tall, cleverly placed shelving unit about two-thirds full of various baked treats. Jon couldn’t remember the last time he’d craved a pastry, but the aroma in the room had him salivating.
