Page 30 of Love & Heart Braking

Phew. They weren’t even being subtle about wanting to find Fenton.

“There’s no need for that,” I announced.

The krakens stared at me again. Their eyes were seriously creepy.

Disdain filled Master Dethnel’s voice. “And why is that, Miss Concordia?”

“You’re no longer shareholders in Pick Up. Yearning Hearts bought the company and premises off Fenton yesterday. As of Friday, the doors of Pick Up will close and open as a satellite of our company.”

The krakens were silent.

Not gonna lie. That felt good. Soleil had insisted I give her a play-by-play after shoving it in their faces. Not like they wouldn’t have found out soon anyway.

Mistress Dethnel broke the quiet. “You’re mistaken.”

“I’m not,” I said pleasantly. “I believe Fenton was putting through your funds today, so don’t worry about not getting your piece back.”

“That transaction has no legal grounding,” Develin snapped.

I smiled. “I guess it’s not often krakens get out-contracted.”

The grandson surged forward, but his grandfather whipped out a thick tentacle, barring the way. “Manners, grandson. The fine print shall speak for itself.” He shot a look at his daughter, who shrank away.

Looked like Mama Tentacles was the one to screw up.

“If you and Soleil Hucs are looking for financial backers—” he started.

“We’re not,” I announced brightly.

Imosae leaned forward, disrupting a few of his tentacles that had been bunched beneath his bulbous body. “The two of you must find yourself stretched financially thin.”

“Nope.” I popped. “Soleil is good with numbers, as I’m sure you recall.”

Devereaux interrupted. “This conversation is getting off track, Miss Concordia. I didn’t bring you here to boast about your business acquisition.”

I nearly laughed. Playing along, I replied, “So sorry, Detective.”

“Do you have anything further to add regarding the break-in at Yearning Hearts?” he asked the krakens.

Master Dethnel didn’t shift his black gaze from me. “I’m afraid we cannot help you further, Detective. My family had nothing to do with it. As you know. Because you are here on quite a different matter.”

I froze, but Devereaux wasn’t fazed. “I am?”

“My little fish are bubbling. And their bubbles tell me tales about your queries into your father’s death.”

My heart skipped a beat. By little fish did he mean his criminal network?

Devereaux’s brows rose. “Indeed? Was it the Cinereses, perhaps? I was speaking to them about my father not long ago. His name naturally came up in conversation. He was in their employ long ago, but there was an altercation. Well, so I’d always believed. Acribus Cineres cleared the matter up, however.”

“What did Acribus say?” the daughter wasted no time in asking.

He rubbed the back of his head, grimacing. “It’s not pertinent to the reason I’m here. I’ll be in touch with the—”

I rolled my eyes. “Always so scared to ask the real questions. I was there. She said his dad went rhage here on your estate.”

The patriarch boomed. “At great loss of life and great danger to my family.”

Devereaux stilled.

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