The Sit - N - Spill Chronicles: Brewing

Chapter 17

The next morning, Annie woke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the cabin windows. For a moment, the peace of the morning made her forget the storm that awaited them. But as she rose and began to get ready, the knot of tension returned, winding tighter with every passing second.

Kane was already up, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a focused intensity. He stood by the window, watching the woods outside, a cup of coffee in hand. When he heard her approach, he turned, offering a small, reassuring smile.

"You, okay?" he asked.

"I think so," she replied, wrapping her arms around herself. "You?"

"Always," he said, though the flicker of worry in his eyes betrayed him. "Derek and Liam are already out. They are setting up near the tea bar to keep an eye on things. We will head out soon."

Annie nodded, her stomach twisting at the thought of walking into the tea bar, knowing Davis and Benji would come for her. But the resolve she had felt the night before held strong. It had to.

By mid-morning, the tea bar was bustling with its usual stream of customers, but Annie could not shake the tension humming beneath the surface. Aubrey worked the counter with her usual sharp wit, casting subtle glances at the door every few minutes. Derek and Liam were positioned nearby, blending into the crowd but ever watchful, ready to act at a moment's notice.

Kane hovered close to Annie, his presence a quiet reassurance. He stayed just far enough back to give her space, but his watchful eyes never strayed far from her.

The door swung open with a force that silenced the room. Davis and Benji strode in, their expressions colder than ever. The air seemed to thicken as they approached the counter, their menace palpable.

"Carter," Davis drawled, leaning on the counter. "Thought we would stop by for a chat."

Annie held her ground, her heart racing, but her voice steady. "I have nothing to say to you."

Davis smirked. "Oh, but you do. See you have made quite the mess, haven't you? Stirring up trouble, poking your nose where it does not belong."

Benji moved behind so he was behind Annie, they had her cornered. Benji's gaze was sweeping the room as if daring anyone to intervene. "You think these people can protect you?" he sneered. "You think they will stand by you when things get real?"

Annie's voice rang out, clear and firm. "I think they already are. Which leads me to my next point, I am not afraid of you. Neither is anyone else in Liberty Rose. Not anymore. Quite frankly we have all had enough of this. It has just gone on for far too long."

The tension hit its breaking point. Davis's smirk faltered, and he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a threatening whisper as he got too close for comfort. "Oh, but you should be."

Derek's voice cut through the room, calm and authoritative. "Davis, Benji, step away from the counter. Now."

Davis's eyes flicked to Derek, and for the briefest second, he hesitated. But that moment was enough for Derek to make the call.

"FBI! Everyone stay where you are!" Derek 's command rang out, and a dozen agents, dressed in plain clothes, moved swiftly and decisively into the room, their badges flashing as they positioned themselves around Davis and Benji, cutting off any chance of escape.

"Hands where I can see them," Derek ordered, his voice a cold edge of authority.

Davis's smirk crumbled, replaced by a flash of panic as he realized the net had been cast. The look of realization and betrayal on Davis's face caused Annie to sport a smirk of her own as she breathed a sigh of relief. He tried to make a move, but Liam was already in front of him, grabbing his arm with a grip that left no room for resistance.