Page 66 of Only for the Season

“You know where the door is.”

He sighs. “Princess, this isn’t scraping by. This is drowning.” He reaches for me. “Come on. We’re leaving.”

“Wearen’t going anywhere. I’m staying here. I’m home.”

“This isn’t a home, Princess.”

I growl. “Don’t you dare call me princess.”

“Why are you living here anyway?”

“I can live wherever the hell I want.”

“If you can live wherever you want, why are you living in squalor?”

“In squalor?” I stab his chest with my finger. “You don’t get to judge me. No one gets to judge me. This is my life and I’m doing the best I can.”

“Bullshit.”

“Bullshit? What do you mean bullshit?”

“I’m not an idiot.”

“I never said you were.”

“And I’m not blind.”

“Maybe not, but I’m confused. Where are you going with this conversation?”

He squeezes my shoulder. “I saw how many Thanksgiving pies you baked. And I know how much you charged. The bakery is busy every day.”

I shake my head. “Not as busy as it was before the chain coffee place opened on the promenade.”

He dips his chin to concede my point. “Maybe not as busy, but it’s still busy every day. And you sell out of your baked goods every single day.”

“Maybe because I know what the demand is and don’t want to waste food.”

“Nope. There’s something else going on. Where is the money going?”

I swallow. “What money?”

“The money you’re earning from the bakery.”

I realize I’m scratching my palm and fist my hand. “Shouldn’t you know this? You own a business. I have operating costs – mortgage, utilities, personnel, supplies…”

He pinches my jaw. “You’re earning more than enough to pay for your operating costs and live in a better place. Where is your money going?”

“How do you know what my operating costs are? Real estate on Smuggler’s Hideaway is expensive. Especially on the main drag of Smuggler’s Cove, where all the restaurants and shops are.”

I stare into his eyes.Believe me. Drop this.

“Where is your money going?”

Damn it. Apparently, my ability to use mind control on others isn’t as good as a siren’s. I wonder if there are any sirens out there willing to give me lessons. Or is mind control a gift you can’t learn?

“Why are you insistent on learning all of my secrets?”

“Because your secrets are holding you back.”