“This is my official resignation,” I say. “Do you need it in writing?”
“Oh darlin’—you’vegot toput it in writing,” Gil cuts in. The look on his face is dangerous as he searches my aunt’s desk. “You’ve got paper and a pen somewhere, don’t ya?”
With shaking hands, Aunt Andrea scrambles to grab me supplies to write with. Clawrece snarls the moment my aunt gets close. To that, I give my protective gator a loving pat on the head.
“Don’t think you’re getting a single dime for this stunt!” Aunt Andrea hisses as Gil slides me the paper and I hurry to write my official notice. My heart races every second. I’m about to turn away when Gil’s hand holds me firm at the waist.
“Now, I don’t believe that’s a very upstanding way to run a business,” Gil says, his tone casual. “Write Marina a check for everything you owe her—”
Aunt Andrea hesitates.
“Gil, she doesn’t have to,” I whisper quietly, tugging at his arm.
“She does,” he says, patting an armchair for me to sit down—I do, savoring the feeling of his webbed hand squeezing mine. “We’re not in a rush, now are we, darlin’?”
I exhale, breathing in his confidence as my own. Gil is here. I don’t have to do this alone.
“Go on,” Gil urges, leaning on the armrest as Clawrece nestles herself at my feet. “We’ll wait.”
And just like that, the biggest villain in my life folds. I watch breathlessly as she reaches for her pink checkbook, and she scratches down a number.
Gil glances down and lets out a huff.
“Everything,” he says, pushing it back with the tip of his claw. “You know you cheated her with this place—last chance to make it right.”
She won’t.
Her bite is worse than Clawrece.
She’ll fight and argue and—Aunt Andrea slides another check, and all I can do is blink. That’s a lot of zeroes.
“What is he talking about, Mom?” Jenna asks. There’s a quiver in her voice, and I don’t think it’s just from Clawrece staring her down. “That’s the same amountIgave you last year.”
My gaze flies to my cousin’s, a wave of understanding hitting me—I’m not the only one Aunt Andrea has cheated.
“Huh,” I say quietly. “Looks like you two are in for a conversation…”
“It’s nothing, sweetie,” Aunt Andrea says to Jenna with a huff, but with the way Jenna’s mouth is falling open, I think this moment might have unleashed a domino effect.
I can’t say I’m sorry.
“I hope you know you’re not welcome back here anymore after this,” Aunt Andrea says, sliding me the check.
“I know,” I manage with a firm nod, folding the check and putting it in my pocket. I fight the urge to thank her… I don’t know why I would, but out of habit, the want is there. Instead, I take a step back, squeezing Gil’s hand—wishing I had the strength to say more.
“I mean it—no more crawling back here—not next week, not next year—never.”
“Bless your heart.” Gil’s words are as sharp as knives as he drapes his arm around me. “Ma’am, that’s the whole point.”
“I can’t believe you’re here!” I say, laughing and shaking my head as we walk down the street, the way paved by our swamp kitten. “Both of you.”
Meaning him and Clawrece—though Magnus is apparently around here somewhere, guarding the portal or flirting with mortals on Halloween—it’s really anyone’s guess, and despite him saving me from dancing to death at the Festival of the Four Sisters, I’m glad it’s just my man and my gator at the present moment.
“Sorry for the surprise,” he says heartily, his arm at my waist tugging me closer before his gaze is suddenly downcast. “I knewI couldn’t show up in my real form, but I didn’t realize y’all don’t walk gators around here—last time I trust Magnus’s advice. Your Grams okay?”
“She’s okay—it was a big misunderstanding.”
“I’ve sent you so many messages.”
