Page 51 of Demon On Deck

Action Now, Forgiveness Later

EVREN

The restaurant is quiet. Much quieter than the last time I was here, when I met Kallie’s sister, Mel, for the first time. But this seems like the best place for what I’m doing.

I glance down at my phone, noting it’s been literally two minutes since the last time I looked. My anxiety is spiking. It’s been on the rise ever since I walked out of Kallie’s house. I rub absently at the ache that lives rent-free in my chest, willing the pain to subside just a little.

Just until I can plead my case.

I grab a menu and glance over the listed items, not really seeing the words, simply staring at the paper.

“Evren?” says a voice so close to Kallie’s, it makes my heart stutter.

I jerk my head up, ensuring I’ll have whiplash from the force, to find Mel standing in front of me, looking slightly concerned.

I stand up and offer her a seat. “Mel, thank you so much for meeting me.”

She gives me a once-over as she sits. “I won’t lie, I was surprised to get your message on social media. You were kind of vague, though, so I’m curious what this is all about.”

After unloading on my parents the other night, Dad's epiphany of possibly being the solution to Kallie’s problems got my wheels turning. My parents and I brainstormed on the best way to help Kallie without my direct involvement. And by direct involvement, I mean not giving into my demonic instincts and obliterating the fuckwad known as Kallie’s ex-husband. The issue was how to connect Kallie with my dad without her finding out his connection to me.

The solution…her sister.

Once I found her on social media, I sent her a message telling her I had important, time-sensitive information for her and asked if we could meet. She responded almost immediately, and we set the day and location. Now she’s here, and I have my chance to plead my case.

“I’m sorry for the cloak-and-dagger routine. That’s typically not how I do things. If you haven’t guessed, this has to do with your sister.”

“Hence the cloak and dagger, so even if Kallie were to find out about the meeting, she wouldn’t know it has to do with her. I could pass it off as being about the financial advice I mentioned being interested in when we met.”

I cringe, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Sorry about that, too. I had every intention of looking at starter investments for you, but then…”

“Then that sorry cocksucker of a lowlife ex-husband went and weaseled his money-grubbing, self-centered, egotistical, soul-sucking self back into my sister’s life and fucked everything up.” Mel hisses as she grips the edge of our table so hard the legs lift on one side, and there’s a very real possibility that the wood will crack.

The waitress who had been approaching blanches and scurries away to another table. Mel takes in a deep breath and blows it out.

“Feel better?” I ask as she continues to deep breathe and releases her death grip on the table. The table falls back with a loud thunk as its legs return to the floor.

“Not even close. I am not one to hate, because that is a lot of energy wasted on someone not worthy of my time. But in fuckwad’s case? I tetter back and forth between hatred and homicide. The only downside of homicide is that it would take me away from Kallie, and I won’t do that to her, no matter how tempting it is. To say I loathe that fucker is being kind.”

Well, if there were any doubt in my mind that Mel would commit murder for her sister, it’s been erased. And filed away so that if by some miracle, my plan works and I get her back, I will make sure to remember Mel’s birthday, bring her flowers whenever I bring Kallie flowers, and never under any circumstances piss her off.

She releases one more breath before meeting my eyes. “Let’s hear it.”

Now it’s my turn to deep breathe. This is my one chance to beg Mel for help and win Kallie back. A cold sweat that breaks out along my brow has me reaching for a napkin. Mel watches me, slightly arching a quizzical brow. Even she knows a fire demon breaking a sweat is not normal.

Here goes nothing.

“I don’t know the fine details, only what I briefly looked at the night⁠—”

I have to pause and choke down the overwhelming wave of emotions that threaten to drown me. I clear my throat and close my eyes, taking in and releasing a shaky breath. When I open my eyes, Mels expression has softened to one full of sadness and sympathy.

“Since the night we broke up. I only glanced at the legal documents. From what I saw and the little that Kallie mentioned, Matt⁠—”

“Fuckwad,” Mel interrupts, drawing an amused smirk to my face.

“Fuckwad,” I correct, “is claiming that Kallie withheld income, implying that he’s entitled to more money from the divorce settlement.”