CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR - Secrets in the Dark

With trembling hands, Ella reached for her phone, sending a pre-arranged signal to Lucas and Cecilia. Then, plastering on her best customer service smile, she approached the stranger. "Welcome to Sweet Beginnings," she said, proud of how steady her voice sounded. "What can I get for you today?" The man's smile widened. "Ella," he said, her name rolling off his tongue like a caress. "It's so good to finally meet you properly. I'll have whatever you recommend. After all, I trust your taste implicitly." Ella felt her mouth go dry. This was it. This was the moment they'd been waiting for. Now, all she had to do was keep him talking until help arrived. "Of course," she managed to say. "Why don't you have a seat, and I'll bring you our specialty?" As she turned to walk away, she felt his hand on her arm. His touch was gentle, but it took every ounce of Ella's willpower not to recoil. "Actually," he said, his voice low, "I was hoping we could talk privately. There's so much I want to te