Page 12 of Tail, Dark and Handsome: Celestial Mates
Months ago, staring down her thirtieth birthday, Mari nervously entered the Celestial Mates office. She had done some research on dating apps and matchmaking services. Celestial Mates had a stellar reputation and franchise locations literally everywhere in the galaxy.
Celestial Mates wanted a testimonial?
Oh, she had some things to tell them and wrote a terse reply.
The bell chimed, indicating that someone waited at the door. Mari had an idea who.
Nox stood prim and proper in a rich, plum-colored tailcoat and black suit, complete with a top hat. The vivid color oddly complemented his amber complexion, which seemed quite a feat for the brash fashion choice.
He swept off the hat and gave a half bow. “Oh, good, you received the notice.”
Nox moved to enter her apartment, but Mari blocked the door. No way was she allowing him inside. Bad enough that the place still reeked of Tomas’ cologne, he’d smarm up the last of the breathable air.
An ear twitched. “I am the new property owner,” he said.
“Since when?”
“Since the previous owner found himself with unexpected medical expenses and a willing buyer for a, frankly, subpar piece of real estate.” Nox dragged a finger across a chair seat, inspecting it for dust, before sitting “This is a bit raggedy, itsn’t it. I suppose it has a certain rough charm.” He leered at her and waggled his ears.
No. Just no.
“I have rights. You can’t enter without twenty-four notice and a good reason.”
“Unless it is an emergency. Do I smell smoke?” He sniffed dramatically.
“This is harassment. You can’t make me pay off Tomas’ debt because there’s no legal obligation and now you’re harassing me. I have a lawyer.” A lie, but she played it cool, folding her arms over her chest and leaning against the doorframe like she was the kind of person with a lawyer on call.
“No obligation? Your signature on a promissory note begs to differ.”
“I signed no such thing,” she said without hesitation.
“No?” Nox produced a tablet. A projected image of her signature hovered over the screen.
“Forged,” she said, shoving the tablet away.
“Perhaps. Or perhaps you blindly signed anything your lover pushed at you.”
Mari said nothing because that was…not inaccurate. There had been so many forms, starting with the matchmaking agency that introduced them, to the marriage license, and right down to signing the lease on the apartment.
“Consequences. Who knew they were so vicious?” he tutted, sounding amused. “We could come to an arrangement. I can always use a pilot. I have so many packages that require delivery. Work for me and work off the debt.”
“In twenty years? No thank you,” she scoffed. Indentured servitude was a trap, and Nox’s line of work involved smuggling, at best. Not interested.
“Marigold,” Nox purred. “I like you. I’ll give you two weeks to pay up or I put a lien on your property.”
“What property?” She tossed her hands in the air. “I don’t own anything except for some wedding gifts I can’t return. Would you like a new set of pots and pans? Bath towels?”
“I think your share of the family business would suffice.” He grinned, fangs showing.
A chill descended over Mari. “A clunky old tourist shuttle?”
“The ship is easy capital,” he said with a nod, “but a hanger that is owned outright is the true prize. Real estate. No nasty business with leases and rent.”
And having a legitimate business to act as a front for his nefarious activities only sweetened the deal. She connected dots in her mind.
Tomas left her holding the bag, and now his selfishness endangered her family. The spiritually enlightened tours her mother offered didn’t draw huge profits, but they worked hard to build up the business. They bought the hanger and a clunker of a shuttle at a bargain rate. Joseph kept the ship flying, Mari flew, and Valerian picked the unique destinations that tourists with credits to burn crave.
“This was never about Tomas. You want to steal the business,” she said. She couldn’t let Nox get his grubby hands on that. Instead of liquidating the assets, he’d use it as a reputable front and slowly twist the family’s hard work into something criminal.
