She had barely slept a wink. Her second cup of coffee tasted like dirt and Bitsy was moping. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but he crossed a line. You can’t just take over someone’s life like that.” The little dog cocked his head at her and went to hide in his crate. When she was lying awake she had plenty of time to mull the whole thing over. She was less angry now, not that she was happy but he should have told her. Of course if he had, she would have done the same thing she did last night. Oh the man made her crazy! How could she be so angry at him and still want him? How could she want to wring his neck and kiss him at the same time?

She couldn’t wait for Axel to get here and get rid of the cameras. She had found two in her bedroom. Two! She almost thanked God her depression spiked and killed her sex drive. She could just imagine the kind of show Jameson would have gotten otherwise. Oh God! Were other people at the office watching those videos? A flash of heat washed over her, whether it was embarrassment or anger was a toss-up.

“This coffee is disgusting,” she said to no one. Great, now she was talking to herself. But it got her up and dumping the hideous stuff in the sink. She thought about whipping up something for Axel, the kid did like her baking. Except she had a feeling he’d been the one who put everything in to begin with so he was going to get a piece of her mind too. Still he wouldn’t have done it if Jameson hadn’t asked him to. A small batch of her candied ginger scones wouldn’t hurt and she needed to do something to take the edge off her anxiety.

She was just turning the dough onto the board when her cell rang and scared her.

“Hello?”

“Candy, you okay? It’s me Axel.”

“I’m fine, just jumpy because someone installed hidden cameras all over my home. What do you know about that, mister?”

“Yeah, about that. I swear he told me he was going to tell you. I made him promise.”

“I figured as much. When are you coming over to take them all out?”

“Soon. I just need to finish up some other stuff and I’ll be right over.”

“I’m making you a batch of ginger scones so if you want one while they are hot...”

“I’ll be there ASAP! Damn, I do like your scones. We’ve all missed you at the office. It isn’t any fun to hang out there anymore.”

“You all just miss my coffee and baked stuff.”

“Okay I’m not gonna lie, my stomach thinks my throat’s been cut and I’m trying to poison it with Jameson’s coffee but really we miss you too. You classed the place up and no matter how bad the day was going you’d have a smile and say something to make it better. You not being there left a big hole. Not to mention Jameson...”

“I don’t know if I want to know.”

“He misses you the most. He really did have good intentions.”

“Sweetheart, sometimes in life you can be right or you can be happy. This would be one of those times.”

“Candy, I think he loves you.”

“I know he does, hon. That doesn’t make invading my privacy less horrible. And for what it is worth I miss him so bad I ache but if you tell him that you will never get those scones.”

“Hey, I don’t like the guy that much!”

“Just get here soon. I miss you too, you heartbreaker.”

“See if only you had a thing for younger guys... I’ll be there real soon.” She hung up and wiped the flour from her phone.

She was just taking the scones from the oven when she heard someone at her door. Bitsy heard them too and set up a racket only it wasn’t just his usual barking, he was growling too.

“Oh stop you, it’s just Axel.” She set the scones on the counter and was half way to the door when it started to open. A cold chill raced down her spine and thoughts went through her head like machine gun fire.

Axel would have knocked.

Someone had the key. Cold sweat dripped down her back.

Someone who shouldn’t have it. She sucked in a breath. Snell?

Then she saw him. She started to scream then his fist connected with her jaw and the world went black.

***