Page 49 of Fly's Path

Which I want more of just depends on how sweet they both are. Though how could she be anything but sweet with a name like Sheri?

The mixture of the scents of cakes and flowers fills my nostrils as I open the door to the common room. Even after watching the women work all day, it’s hard to believe they turned this open space into a warm and beautiful party, fitting of way more than a cake tasting. Though this might be the best part of the wedding events.

Depends on how much…cake. The Cake Lady’s house must have exploded.

Bear walks over. “Have you lost your mind yet?”

“It’s close.” Very close. We hit cake paradise.

“You can’t have any.”

“What?” Surely Bear must be joking. All of this cake is here for us to literally eat.

“Integer tried grabbing some, and he almost lost a hand. No joke, that woman is scary.” Bear nods towards where Winnie stands sentinel, protecting the display and soon-to-be feast.

“She’s not that scary. I could get her to give me some cake.” It wouldn’t be hard, either. It’s just understanding people’s weaknesses.

“Twenty says you can’t.”

“I’ll be happy to take your money, Bear.” It’s too easy. People don’t understand just what I’m capable of.

He snorts. “We’ll see.”

Yes, we will. As I walk over, my demeanor changes. I add in a little bit of practicality and all those business vibes Winnie gives off. “Hello, Winnie, is it? I’m Fly. Tonight, I’m in charge of coordinating the security team. Most of them won’t be able to join in the festivities. Do you think you could help me arrange for them to have some cake to celebrate with us?”

With each word I utter, sympathy and practical understanding run across her face. There’s no way she isn’t giving me cake.

“Of course. Let me grab them for you to bring to them.”

And that is how easy it was to get cake early and make a twenty off of Bear.

Sheri isn’t here.

Where did she go? She was literally here all day. She couldn’t have disappeared while I was home changing.

“Here you go.” Winnie holds out two plates stacked full of different mini cakes.

“Thanks.”

“And whoever you’re looking for, she’s probably changing.”

Wait. “How did you know?”

“I’m neither blind nor oblivious. You can tell Bear he can have all the cake he wants later.”

Never underestimate your target. And it seems I did with this woman. “I’ll pass that message on to him.” And these cakes to the people working.

“Who is it you’re looking for?”

Should I tell her? “Why?”

“Because you and your brothers need to remember that we don’t play games. Hurt one of us, and we’ll all happily make you pay regardless of who you are.”

Wow. “I like you.”

“Most people do…almost as much as they fear me.” And that little hint of deadpan reality is the voice of a woman who has no compunction about hurting another person.

Interesting and good to know. “Understood.”