Cupcake Overload (Cupcakes 2)

“He runs hookers,” Cade replied, and I had to admit, I was shocked by this new information. I decided that I hated Dale the Bookie slash Pimp. “And this is how I handle shit…”

Before I could say anything else, Cade turned, strode through the goons and right up to Dale. Then, I kid you not, he lifted Dale up by the throat and carried him through the bar and out the back door.

My startled eyes found Carmen, whose mouth was hanging wide open, then we both got our shit together and ran after them.

The goons were either afraid of Cade’s size, or he had a reputation, because although they followed Cade and Dale outside, they hadn’t made a move to try and stop him.

Carmen and I were almost to the door when from behind us we heard, “What the hell is going on?”

We spun in unison to see Bea standing before us. Her hair was still wet from a shower and she was wearing a pair of jogging shorts and a T-shirt. I assumed she’d been about to go home from work, when Shannon had spilled the beans on my location.

“We’ve gotta go,” Carmen said, as eager to see Cade beat the shit out of Dale as I was.

“Yeah, Cade’s out there with Dale,” I added, ready to spin on my heel and sprint out the back.

“Who’s Dale, and why did Cade grab him by the throat?” Bea asked, her tone getting all cop-like.

“Maybe you should stay in here,” I suggested, then not wanting to waste any more time, I grabbed Carmen’s hand and pulled her away with me.

We each put a hand on the door and pushed it in tandem, our heads swinging to and fro until we saw the small group of men along the wall to the right of the alley.

Cade still had his hand around Dale’s neck and was holding him up against the brick wall, so that his feet dangled. The goons were on either side of them, each with a hand at their side, and closely watching the exchange between the other two men. Cade was only a foot away from Dale and his head was bent close as he said something in Dale’s ear.

We were too far away to hear what was being said, but if the sickly pallor of Dale’s skin was any indication, Cade wasn’t inviting him and his goons out for brunch.

“I should probably break that up,” Bea said softly from my left side.

“Nah,” Carmen said in a hushed voice. “I think Cade has it handled.”

“See what I said about needing to work out,” I whispered to Carmen as I watched my man squeeze Dale’s neck ever so slightly. “Shit gets crazy sometimes.”

“I’ve been telling you to work out more,” Bea chided.

“I know, and I took you on your advice. Just so happens, I ran in to Branson Braswell at the gym and now he’s giving me self-defense lessons.”

“Really? That’s cool. I could come by, show you some stuff I learned at the academy.”

“That would be awesome,” I said softly, then pointed at Carmen.

“I’m trying to get her to come, too.”

“You should,” Bea said, leaning around me so she could look at Carmen. “It’s always a good thing to know how to defend yourself. I’m sure you’ve come across some assholes, working at the paper.”

When Carmen was uncharacteristically silent, I teased, “I think she likes Bran. Just the mention of his name makes her mute.”

“Shut up,” Carmen said, finding her voice, and causing Bea and me to laugh.

“It’s okay, Carmen, Bran is totally hot. It’s okay if he makes you tongue tied,” I said, choking back laughter.

“He’s single, right?” Bea asked.

“Sure is,” I replied, giving Carmen a nudge with my elbow. “You should ask him out.”

“Ladies,” Cade called, startling me and pulling me back in to the situation. “If you’re done playing matchmaker, did you want to come over here and ask the bookie a couple questions?”

Blushing at being caught having girl talk on the job, I called, “Yes, please,” then hustled over to the guys, giving my friends one last grin and eyebrow wag over my shoulder.

“Seriously?” Cade asked when I got to him.