Page 121 of Love & Heart Braking

My bottom lip trembled, and I wanted to drag her into my arms, but she needed me to be strong. I tilted her chin instead. “I love you, too, Soleil Concordia. I’ll be in with a triple-chocolate mud cake later. If they try to dress you in prison overalls, make sure to make them your own.”

She snorted. “I’ll be queen of that place in a day.”

And she wasn’t lying.

I didn’t have to worry about her being physically beaten, but I did have to worry about her heart. The one she’d just opened to Bain.

Trailing after her to the door, I watched as my friend was loaded into a jail carriage. Journalists were here—no doubt tipped off by the twelve. My hands curled to fists.

“I’m going to follow her to the station,” Devereaux said in my ear. “I can’t take place in the investigation directly, but I’ll do what I can.”

“Thank you,” I said tearfully.

I sniffed and blinked back moisture in my eyes as he left.

I had a promise to keep. I was going to run these businesses to perfection while my bestie fought for her freedom.

But first.

Enzo and Annya’s clients had departed without signing up. That happened sometimes, but no doubt they’d been scared off by what they’d witnessed.

My next client walked in.

I plastered a smile on my dial. “Hey, welcome to Yearning Hearts. Please take a seat by the window there. I’ll be right with you.” It was a sprite. Nosy, but no better at hearing than me.

Enzo and Annya were wide-eyed.

I gestured to the kitchen area and spoke fast when they joined me. “Look, you both need to know that what they’re accusing her of has been warped out of context. She’s a good person, and—”

“Cerys,” Annya said. “We know. Tell us what we can do to help.”

“No comment to journalists, please. I’m going to need help with subscriptions and the event this weekend.”

Enzo squeezed my hand. “Done.”

Tears sprang to the corners of my eyes. “Thank you guys so much. Could one of you get my client a drink? I need to make a quick call.”

I hurried to Soleil’s desk to ring Bain. He was enough of an escape artist that he should have no trouble leaving by anything other than the front door. As I picked up the phone, Bain strode into Yearning Hearts, whistling.

I gaped at him, heart thundering.

Sweet Minerva, if he’d shown up two minutes ago.

Rushing to the unicorn, I dragged him into the printer room, checking the sprite was turned away.

“You could ask me to follow you,” Bain said drily.

I gripped his face. “Law enforcement just came for Soleil.”

The unicorn went very still. His growl filled the printer room. I clicked my fingers in front of his face. “No time for that. They’re after her and you for murder. Charges laid by the Dethnels. They’re heading to Soleil’s apartment now, and they’ll be looking for you everywhere.”

“Soleil,” he whispered. “Was she—?’

“As cool and calm as always. I need to call a lawyer for her and make sure things here run smoothly. She’ll need to know you’re safe, Bain. She won’t be able to fight unless you’re okay.”

He paled.

I took his hand. “There’s something else. I never told you outright, but Sol is your true love.”

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