I shook my head. "Why did you get scared?"
They both shrugged. "She's scary," Charity whispered as Max nodded in agreement.
Pointing to Max, I said, "Take them out."
"R-right now? With her here?"
"Yes."
"Why do I have to do it? Make Charity! She's pregnant and Katerina won't do anything to her."
"Ah, hell no, Max. She told you to do it."
I pulled out my phone and hit Nic's number.
"Hey, agapiméni."
"She's gone too far."
Nic was silent for a few seconds. "What did she do now?"
"She put Greek desserts in my bakery. My Italian bakery."
"Wait. She did what?"
I sighed. "She walked into the bakery, went behind the counter and started to put Greek desserts in with mine."
Max held up his finger. "Oh, she kind of took some of yours out and gave them away to customers."
If looks could kill, Max would have been on the floor.
"Nic, I've got to let you go. I need to throw out some Greek food."
"Wait! Did she happen to make any kariokes?"
Pulling the phone out, I looked at it before putting it back to my ear.
"I can't even with you right now, Nic Drivas."
Hitting End, I pushed past Max.
As I reached for the door and opened it, he softly spoke to Charity. "I think she's gonna do it. We'll live to see another day."
"Ugh!" I cried out.
I knew I was on edge. Hell, anytime Katerina was around she put me on edge. But I had to give a deposition on Monday regarding Dante and the night he shot his father. All I wanted to do was put that life behind me.
Making my way back into the bakery, I watched as Katerina sat down at a table with an older couple.
I shot her a dirty look and wished I had the power to shoot daggers at her.
The bell to the bakery opened and Kilyn walked in. She saw Katerina sitting at a table and her eyes widened in surprise. Then she turned and saw me. Walking up to me, she plastered an everything is okay smile on her face.
"Hey, I see you and Katerina are hanging out."
Glaring back over at her, I tried not to growl.
"Or maybe not."
Focusing back on Kilyn, I said, "She put Greek desserts in my bakery."
She frowned. "Huh?"
I motioned for her to walk to the end of the counter. Leaning down, she gasped.
"Oh. No."
"Yes. And they are all going in the trash."
Kilyn jumped up. "What? There is some good stuff in there. I'll take it home! Don't throw it away."
I narrowed my left eye on her and she took a step back. "Or you could throw it all out."
"Max!" I called out.
"Yep, right here."
"Will you package all of this up for Kilyn, please."
She smiled and licked her lips as she watched Max reach in for the Greek desserts. Katerina looked up at me. Pointing to her, I motioned for her to meet me in the back.
"What are you doing?" Kilyn asked.
"I'm going to set her straight."
Max, Charity, and Kilyn all gasped.
"It's about time," Liza said walking up tying on an apron.
I looked at her as she shrugged. "Sorry, but this has been going on for too long. This is your turf. She can't mess with you on your turf."
"Yeah!" Kilyn said as she lifted her fist into the air. Slowly pulling it back down, she turned to Max. "If you've got that ready, I'll just be leaving before the shit hits the fan. Later, guys."
"Chicken," I called out. Lifting her hand, Kilyn gave it a quick wave and was out the door with her goodies.
And to think I'm planning her baby shower.
Spinning around, I made my way to my office where Katerina was already sitting behind my desk.
I shut the door and took a seat. Before I had a chance to even start talking, she went first.
"Don't be upset, Gabriella. I only meant it with good intentions."
Breathe. Stay calm. You've got this.
"Katerina, this is my bakery. My business, my livelihood. My dream. You cannot come in here and act like you are a part of it. You especially cannot come in and bring food. For one, it is a health violation. I could get in trouble."
Her face dropped. "Oh, Gabriella, I wasn't even thinking about that."
"Well, honestly Katerina, you weren't thinking at all. You're walking around putting down my baking to my customers. How do you think that makes me feel?"
She only stared at me, but didn't respond.
"You are to never bring food into this bakery again, and if for any reason you think there needs to be a dessert here, talk to me about it first. Maybe we can have a Greek day or something."