Page 56 of Perfect Together
“Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
He turned and started to work his way through the crowds once more when a hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him around.
“Hey!” Instinct had Sam reaching for his holster as he came face-to-face with Tyler Stanton. “Jesus Christ. Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on a cop?”
“We need to talk,” Tyler said.
Sam was not in the mood to deal with the other man. “Not now.”
“It’s about Nicole.”
Sam stiffened. “When is it not, Stanton?” It was time he got rid of this asshole once and for all.
“This time is different.” Stanton stood way too close, his posture straight, his attitude determined. “Look, I’m not here to win her back. I know better. She’s interested in you, not me. But I need her to come back home for her own good.”
Sam shook his head, knowing he’d never understand this guy without a detailed road map. “Explain.”
“Nicole’s in danger.”
With those words, he caught Sam’s attention. Sam eyed the other man warily. “Talk to me.”
Tyler drew a deep breath. “Before I came here, I found out my father has been taking money from the Russian mob and running it through our investment business,” he said, his voice low. “He thinks Nicole overheard him talking to his accountant and knows enough to put him in jail and give the feds a good lead on his so-called investors.”
Sam closed his eyes and swore. He’d never imagined her secrets were this big.
“And I just saw the owner of the biggest art gallery in LA and one of his associates standing near Nicole’s booth. He’s one of my father’s Russian investors, and I can guarantee you he’s not here to find the newest artist in your small town.”
Sam stared at the man standing in front of him, disbelief and rage filling him as he put together everything Stanton wasn’t saying. “Your fucking father sent him after Nicole?”
“I don’t know for sure. But by the time I extricated myself from Macy so I could find out, he was gone. And so was Nicole.”
Extricated himself. This son of a bitch with his expensive clothes and fancy words was going to be the death of him, Sam thought, shoving Stanton away.
“You’d better hope I find her, and when I do? She’d better be in one piece.”
***
Main Street intown had been shut down to traffic, and along the route, artists had set up stands and easels showcasing their work. Trisha from Cuppa Café shared the long booth at the end of the street with Nicole and Aunt Lulu, where she sold iced coffee, sodas, and bottled water. The day was hot, and they almost always had a line for the drinks as well as the pastries by Nicole and mini cakes by Aunt Lulu.
Nicole had made sure to have a wide variety for people to sample in order to entice many palates. And she’d kept her audience in mind, including parents who’d brought their kids for a day outdoors. As a result, some of her more popular items included the fried apple fritters and chocolate caramel doughnut holes. Of course, the churros and cream puffs were big hits too.
The morning passed quickly, and Nicole was riding a high from the response to her baked goods. When she added the general welcome she’d received from just about everyone who stopped by her booth, she felt not only like she belonged in Serendipity but also optimistic about the success of their soon-to-be-opened bake shop.
The only thing that could make the day better would be seeing Sam. He’d promised to stop by but had texted her to say he’d been delayed by a call from the station and said he’d find her later.
After the long morning on her feet, she took advantage of a lull in the crowd and turned things over to Aunt Lulu while she treated herself to a much-needed break. It was the first time she’d had a chance to check out the art fair, and she found herself impressed with the talent on display. The general look of the fair was similar to the street fairs in Manhattan, with a warmer feel because the people were so friendly.
She didn’t want to leave Aunt Lulu alone for much longer, but before returning to work, she decided to take a quick bathroom trip. Joe’s wife, Annie, had stopped by the booth earlier and told her to feel free to come around back and use the bar’s office restroom.
Anything to avoid the long lines at the shops, Nicole thought, and she cut down the alley leading to the back of the stores on Main.
She was almost at the back lot when a male voice spoke to her. “Excuse me?”
“Yes?” She turned and looked up at a handsome man with blond hair and a severe expression.
“Didn’t I see you at the bakery booth earlier?” he asked.
“Yes. I’m running it with my partner, Lulu Donovan. Did you taste something you liked?” she asked hopefully.