“It really wasn’t well done of you, Lucy,” the Evil Queen said haughtily. “I thought you understood how much I need a supportive environment. Obviously, I can’t count on you to be there for me.” Lifting her head, she bounded up the steps.

Lucy stared at her, then opened her mouth to unload, but Panda’s hand shot up. “Not now. I’m way too pissed off at you.” He headed for the porch.

No way was she putting up with this. She stormed after him.

He’d already found the bread.

She stomped across the porch. “If you think for one minute—”

“Damn …” He said the word like a prayer. “It’s still warm.”

She stared at him as he lifted the first loaf from behind the plants. He took in the missing heel but didn’t seem upset about it … Or about anything, for that matter, including the smuggled muffin. “I don’t suppose you have a knife,” he said. “Oh, hell …” He ripped off a chunk and sank his teeth in. “Honest to God, Lucy …” He swallowed. “This is the best thing I’ve had to eat all week.”

“Never mind about that. I’m not going to let you—”

“We need to find a better hiding place.”

She splayed her hands on her hips. “Obviously not under my bathroom sink!”

“Maybe that desk in the den? Watch the door. Make sure she doesn’t change her mind and come back downstairs.” He took another bite. “And try not to let her get to you again.”

She threw up her hands. “You two deserve each other.” And then … “What did you do with the muffin?”

“Ate it in front of her like I told her I would. I had to stuff it in so fast I couldn’t even enjoy it.”

That would account for the smear of chocolate at the corner of his mouth.

“You do know this diet she’s on is insane,” she said.

“I’m hoping she’ll figure that out, but until then I have a job to do.” He tore off a second chunk. “I’ll have to search you from now on.”

“Search me?”

“Nothing personal.”

Nothing personal, indeed!

Chapter Fourteen

I DON’T SEE WHY WE HAVE to go to church,” Toby said.

“Take it up with your best friend Big Mike.” Bree knew she sounded petty, but she couldn’t help herself. She slipped into her only remaining pair of heels, strappy bronze stilettos that would make her as tall as Mike. As a bonus, she could always use the heels to stab any serpents that might escape during the worship service.