Page 60 of Demon On Deck

“Thank you,” I say after a long beat of silence. “I know you think I was just being stubborn, but I truly wanted to just keep you safe and out of Matt’s mess.”

“We know that, Doll,” Evren says in that deep, reassuring voice. “We just wanted to help you however we could.” His words are so sincere, I can feel them in my soul. Any anxiety and nerves disappear.

The waitress returns with our food, and we all tuck in, making small talk. I get to know Evren’s parent a little and can tell how wonderful they are. Mel is practically glued to Mrs. Kade, and she seems quite happy about it.

Evren keeps stealing glances at me, and our legs keep brushing under the table. The earlier feelings of anxiety are gone, but are quickly being replaced by the slow-building tension between Evren and me. I can feel my body tremble with each brush of our legs.

I can tell Evren feels it too. His body is coiling tighter by the minute.

After we finish eating, Una orders coffee and dessert. She’s chatting with Mel and me about the best coffee shop that’s around the corner from her house in Crete when Evren abruptly stands.

“I don’t mean to be rude, Mom, Dad, Mel, but Kallie and I have something we need to discuss. Privately. You’ll have to excuse us.”

Everyone is silent for a minute before his mom says, “Of course. Take all the time you need.”

He nods. “I’ve left my card information with the waitress. Enjoy whatever you like and celebrate Kallie’s victory. I’ll call you when we finish speaking.”

His tone leaves no room for argument as he pulls my chair out and helps me stand. He takes my hand and leads me back through the restaurant and out to the lot, where he opens his car door and helps me in.

I’m not sure what this talk will be, specifically, but I know it's going to change everything.

Chapter 20

Fire of My Soul

EVREN

Ican still feel my fire burning hot, the primal part of me demanding vengeance for the harm done to my mate. It took great effort not to incinerate that fucker on the spot in the courtroom. When he grabbed Kallie’s arm, the world went red. Blinding, violent fury, the likes of which words can not describe, ignited within me. I was ready to end him. Had Kallie not touched me, I probably would have.

Then Kallie touched me.

Soft and gentle and grounding.

Her touch tempered the flames threatening to consume me. Soft-spoken words pulled me from the edge and kept me from doing something that would have ruined any chance I had left with her. Gods, to feel her skin on mine again was like balm to the wound of my soul that I thought would never heal.

She never pulled away.

Even after I released her ex, she stayed. Allowed me to check her arm. Allowed me to keep my hand on her back, guiding her through the courthouse. They were small victories. Quiet concessions.

They weren’t much. But they were enough to plant a seed of hope.

Watching her walk away from the courthouse was gutting. Having a taste of what I had, only to see her leave, had terror clawing at my chest. What if she didn’t come to the restaurant? What if she put all the pieces together before I had a chance to explain and decided I had betrayed her? I was spinning out, spiraling in panic.

The car ride to the restaurant was nothing but a loop of spiraling dread. My parents chatted away happily, unaware of the internal spiral of worst-case scenarios my mind was creating.

And I didn’t stop spinning until I laid eyes on Kallie walking toward the restaurant door.

Air rushed back into my lungs so hard it hurt. Some of the bone-crushing tension eased as I stepped forward to open the door for her, carefully placing my hand on the small of her back and leading her to the table where my parents and Mel awaited.

For a fleeting moment, I let myself believe that there was a chance I could get her back. But hope is a delicate thing. Relieved as I was to have Kallie by my side—to have her scent, her warmth, the gentle brush of our bodies—fresh waves of dread threatened to pull me under.

Because now she knew.

She knew exactly what Mel and I did. That, despite her explicitly telling me not to get involved, I did it anyway.

I steeled myself for her anger. Or disappointment. For that guarded expression, the one seared into my mind from when she told me to leave.

Then the unbelievable happened.