Page 34 of Demon On Deck

Could this day get any better? I pull out my phone to text Mel and Evren.

I’m floating so high on the wedding booking and the new contract with The Grocery Spot, I barely register the bell over the door.

“Welcome to” I begin, looking up from my phone, only to discover Matt. “How can I help you, Matt?”

He walks around the shop, a smug look on his face. “I don’t get the whole greeting?” He snarks.

I watch him continue walking through the shop, touching shelves, lifting the plant leaves, and I wonder how in all the realms I married this jackass.

Matt’s an attractive man, sure. Today, he has on a dark navy suit that fits well and showcases his lean frame. I wonder briefly if he came from some sort of interview.

He’s of average height, with lightly curled black hair and an olive complexion. His smile, which I once found so charming, is sleezy. He’s dismissive and rude, with an air about him that screams scumbag.

The complete opposite of Evren.

“I’ve got things to do, Matt. What do you want?” I say, moving around the counter.

He makes his way to stand opposite me, much like our marriage, and smiles smugly.

“I’ve heard business is blooming,” he laughs, but it’s not pleasant and warm like when Evren laughs. No, this is hollow and mocking and makes the hairs on my neck stand on end.

“See what I did there, Kal?” He laughs again.

I huff out a sigh and glance at the clock.

“Yes, things are good,” I say dryly while wondering where this conversation is going. Matt never gave two shits about the business unless he needed money.

Matt hums, his smile growing into something vicious. He reaches into his jacket, retrieves an envelope, and hands it to me.

“I could have had that delivered,” he says once I take the envelope from his hand, “but I couldn’t resist doing it myself.”

I can feel my brow scrunching as I open the envelope. When I open the paper, my heart drops.

“You can’t be serious?” I all but shout at Matt, who looks like the cat who ate the canary.

He shakes his head and turns for the door. “I never thought you were capable, Kal. Hiding money from me so you didn’t have to pay in the divorce. Hurtful.”

“You fucking snake!” I say to the now-empty shop. The bastard served me with court papers. Papers that claim I withheld income that would have affected our divorce settlement. And there’s a mention of a lien on the business.

I call Mel and have a complete freak out, word vomiting the entire altercation with Matt. As soon as I finish, she urges me to call my lawyer.

In utter panic, I call my divorce lawyer. After emailing her the paperwork, she confirms my fears. Matt is going to drag me back to court to try and milk every last cent of income I have.

Motherfucker.

When I hang up with the lawyer, I go through the motions of closing up the shop in a numb stupor. Evren texts and asks if I want to meet for dinner. I look at the message, then the papers in my hand. For the first time in two weeks, seeds of doubt take root.

I don’t want to drag Evren into my mess, but I don’t want to lose him. The lawyer said she would do some digging to see if there’s any way to get out of the lien or avoid court. All I can do now is try to keep this from Evren, who will try fix this mess, and pray that my lawyer finds a way out.

And in the meantime, try not to let the seeds grow deep roots.

Chapter 13

Demon’s Instinct

EVREN

Iyelp as hot liquid splashes across my chest and stomach, the coffee cup slipping from my hand and shattering against the tile.