"What happened with Veronica?" Lani asked before sipping her mug of steaming hot chocolate.

"A lot." Casey sighed. "She admitted to sending August to spy on us, someone she considers loyal to her."  

Lani rolled her eyes. "There's so much wrong with that woman. Isn't there anything the police can do to get her to leave you alone?"

"Well, she's doing this because someone put a hit out on our family," Casey replied.

"Still, that's really messed up. She sent someone to watch us! Not to mention, it's possible the reason they put a hit on our family is because of her. Didn't you consider that?"

Casey rubbed his chin. "Honestly, the thought crossed my mind. But I don't know. I believe it's someone who had a vendetta against Mom. Now that she's gone, they might not even bother with us. Especially if they realize we don't know much."

"We don't even know which gang is responsible," Lani pointed out. "Not for sure, at least. Veronica and August could be pulling the wool over your eyes, and their gang's actually the ones responsible. I wouldn't believe a word from either of them."

"You're right. I shouldn't listen to any of them, but I can't help it. Don't you want to know what happened to Mom?" Casey asked.

"Of course I do," Lani replied. "But this might be better left for the police to handle. These gangs are dangerous and you don't need to be getting involved with them. Think about it for Wyatt's safety, yeah?"

Casey nodded. "Yeah, I'll stay away from them."

Later that morning, Casey prepared to open Mad Batter with his father and Xavier. Being back in the bakery felt normal, but he couldn't bring himself to step outside in that alleyway. Maybe he'd never be comfortable walking out there again.

Casey had just taken a pan of cupcakes out of the oven when Xavier made his way into their kitchen. An aroma of chocolate drifted through the room. It brought a sense of peace to Casey's troubled mind to bake again and put his worries aside for a bit. Casey slid the pan onto a shelf on the baker's rack, removing his mittens.

"Hey, man. How's it going?" Xavier asked.

"Good. I'm about to get the next batch of cupcakes in," Casey replied.

"What about Wyatt? How's he doing, after everything..?"

"He's okay. Lani was with him when the cops came to our house to tell them about Mom." Casey rubbed the back of his neck. "It's hard not being able to do anything. Mom would've bent over backwards if someone hurt any of us. She'd been working everyday to get to the truth. Yet we're here, doing nothing and moving on like she didn't die."

"But what can you really do?" Xavier pointed out. "You don't have the resources your mom did. I'm sure the cops will catch the bastard who did this. They killed one of their own, and they won't just let that go."

"Yeah, I know." Casey sighed.

"I'm sorry, man. If you ever need anything, I got you, okay?" Xavier told him.

"Thanks. I appreciate that." Casey forced a half smile.

After Casey finished icing the cooled cupcakes, he got ready to set them out in the glass container. His next batch would be done soon. Just as he made his way out into the kitchen, a knock on their front door startled him. He placed his tray of cupcakes down on the counter, squinting at the man waving at him.

As Casey stepped closer to the door, familiar features came into view. Blond hair rustled in the wind and those piercing green eyes sent chills along Casey's spine. Despite the innocent grin on Emmett's face, Casey struggled to get near the door. He wanted to hide in the back with his cupcakes instead of confronting him.

"We're not open yet." Casey mustered the words out. "You'll have to come back at six."

"Ah, my bad. I just happened to be in the neighborhood and got hungry. Figured I'd come by for breakfast. I don't mind the wait," Emmett told him. "If you let me inside, I'll even pay double." He winked.

Casey gulped, not wanting to piss the man off. While he didn't know the extent of Emmett's affiliation with the Voiceless Rebels, he knew he couldn't trust him. With a shaky breath, Casey undid the lock and opened the door for him.

"Uh, just have a seat anywhere. Is there something in particular you'd like?" Casey asked.

Emmett strolled inside the room, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his black overcoat. Snowflakes dusted him.

"Yeah, I'd like a half dozen of your strawberry shortcake cupcakes," Emmett said. "And ten chocolate long Johns. Oh, also three jelly-filled donuts and a dozen of your chocolate peanut butter cupcakes."

Who the heck was that man feeding? Casey couldn't imagine all that would be for Emmett alone. Not unless he wanted to go into a sugar coma.

"Is that all?" Casey asked.

"Yeah, that's it. Letting everyone splurge tonight. Call it a celebration," Emmett told him.

Casey nodded, ringing up his total. "So, what are you celebrating? Someone's birthday?"

"Something like that," Emmett replied. "You know, you've got a really nice bakery here. Would be a shame if something happened to it."

Casey frowned. "What are you suggesting?"

"Oh, I'm not suggesting anything." Emmett raised his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just offering an ultimatum to help your family out. I can't imagine how tough it must be with your mom gone."

"We don't need your charity." Casey grit his teeth. "Thanks for the offer, but I can assure you, we'll be fine. The bakery's got plenty of loyal customers to get us through."

"You could be making twice, if not triple, the amount of money you did before," Emmett said. "Don't worry, I'm a businessman. I've got the degrees to prove it, if you need evidence. I'm not trying to scam you."

"No, you just want to launder your dirty money through our bakery," Casey snapped.

Emmett's expression darkened. "Fine. When you need help, you can always come find me down at the Wallflower. My offer is still on the table. For now."

Casey nodded. "Anyway, your order will be out as soon as possible. Please, have a seat. I'll get you a cup of coffee while you wait. Don't worry, it's on the house."

As Casey poured the gangster a cup of coffee, his hand trembled. Emmett noticed, yet he said nothing and sipped his coffee. Being able to get back to baking relieved him and gave his heart the time to settle down. Something about that guy unnerved him. Not only were his offers skeptical, but he couldn't believe he'd be bold enough to come there in broad daylight. Did he have no shame? No fear of consequences?

Casey should've called those detectives, but something held him back. While he didn't trust Emmett and wanted him out of their bakery, he couldn't turn a potential customer away. Not when he had the power to screw them over or make sure their bakery got shut down. Somehow, Casey didn't think he'd been bluffing.

"Who is that guy?" Xavier asked, gesturing out in the lobby. "You know him?"

"Not really," Casey admitted. "Look, don't say anything but he works with the Voiceless Rebels."

"What the hell, Casey? Are ya out of your mind?"

"I don't want to piss him off," Casey whispered. "Just let me get his order done so he'll leave."

"Messing around with the gangs isn't a good idea," Xavier said. "Your mom wouldn't want this either. You need to go to the police."

"Keep your voice down." Casey peeked behind them, hoping Emmett didn't overhear them. "It's not that I want them around. But I know how these guys operate. You don't want to piss them off or owe them any favors. It's best to treat them like normal customers and hope they go away. Veronica warned me that this would happen."

"She's gotta be messing with you, man. It's her behind all this," Xavier said.

"You think she's really got enough man-power to do this?" Casey scoffed. "Veronica's got her problems, but she wouldn't put me in harm's way. Or Wyatt. Without me and my family, he's got nobody. He'll be put in foster care or worse... With Veronica's folks."

"Maybe that's what she wants," Xavier replied.

"Why? So they can screw our son up like they did her?" Casey snapped, pulling his tray of cupcakes out, slamming them on the counter. "Sorry." He removed his oven mitt, tossing it aside. "I didn't mean to take that out on you. You're just trying to help me."

"If it gets worse, maybe y'all should move," Xavier suggested.

"Already wanting to get rid of me?" Casey forced a half-grin.

"No, of course not. Just a thought. Ya know, to keep Wyatt safe."

"I mean, I'd love to get out of this dump. But we've got our home here. The bakery. I can't just pack us up and leave my dad and Lani behind," Casey told him.

"Yeah, I understand." Xavier nodded. "Here, let me help you with that guy's order. The sooner we get him outta here, the better."

While Casey baked the sweets that the gangster desired, he couldn't help but wonder what he planned to do next. Would he try to convince his father to turn their bakery over? What if Emmett went back to his boss? Would they try to have them all killed?

Swallowing the lump that formed in his throat, Casey pulled his phone out and hesitated on August's contact. If he contacted the gangster, he'd be putting himself in debt to him. To Veronica. Maybe he should call the cops? But what would he tell them? Emmett posed no threat to their safety, nor did he have evidence of his gang affiliation. There would be no grounds for an arrest and that would probably only piss him off.

Casey stuffed his phone back in his pocket. He didn't need help handling Emmett. Surely after the man got his sweets, he'd leave him and his family alone. Maybe that was wishful thinking.

"Here you go." Casey handed Emmett three boxes of sweets.

"Thank you," Emmett said. "Well, you know where to find me. I hope you reconsider my offer. Take time and talk over it with your family. Remember who your allies are, Casey."

Casey cleared his voice. "Yeah, you have a nice day. Enjoy those cupcakes."

"Oh, don't worry. We will." Emmett smirked, turning to walk away.

Only when the gangster exited their bakery did Casey let out a breath of relief. Xavier came up behind him as they watched Emmett drive off in his old school car from the window.

"You think he'll be back?" Xavier asked.

Casey shrugged. "Dunno. Hope not. We've got enough troubles without throwing him in the mix. I don't trust the guy either. It's too suspicious how he keeps offering to help me and our bakery."

"I still think you should go to the detectives with this," Xavier said. "I'm sure your dad and Lani would agree with me. That Emmett guy's gonna cause a lot more problems if he keeps showing up like this. What if he brings some of his gang pals next time?"

"I know. But I have no proof that Emmett's involved with a gang," Casey pointed out. "There's not much they can do, as I'm sure Emmett's prepared to tell them I'm nothing but a nutcase. I haven't recorded any of our conversations, you know."

"So what? It's the police's job to investigate. Surely, they could find something on Emmett," Xavier said.

"Just let it go. I'd rather not get him and his gang on my bad side. Hopefully, they'll back off and leave us alone," Casey replied. "Come on, we've still got work today. Dad should be here soon too."

If only it could've been a peaceful day, like Casey wanted.