Page 36 of Taming Her Temptations

“This,” Daisy points to the notebook in front of me.

“You want to help me, Daisy-doo?” I ask her.

She nods enthusiastically, and I smile. “We will make a terrifying investigative team together.”

Ryan cocks an eyebrow in question, but I just shovel my French toast down before he can steal more from the plate.

“Alright, Daisy,” I say, finishing chewing. “You ready to take down the bad guy?”

She nods, her fuzzy little blonde hairs falling in front of her eyes. I swipe them away and bring out my phone, continuing to ignore Ryan’s baffled looks. I find the phone number I’m looking for and call on speaker.

“Food Security Foundation. This is Linda speaking,” a voice is broadcasted into our entire kitchen.

“Good morning, Linda,” I greet her with as much cheer as I can muster. “I hope you’re the right person for this. I’m Steven Bran’s wife.” This isn’t technically a lie, as we’re still legally married, but saying it makes my stomach twist. I continue, fake cheer lacing my voice. “I’m organizing our documents for our tax accountant. You might remember us. We hosted a fundraiser this past November with you as the beneficiary. Somehow I’ve completely lost the acknowledgement of the donation and we need it for tax purposes. Is there a chance you could e-mail me a copy?”

“Oh, yes, of course, Mrs. Bran.” I blanch hearing the name I no longer go by. “Would you just confirm your address for me and your husband’s date of birth?”

Easy. I give her what she’s looking for. She asks for my e-mail and I spell it out to her, my heart racing, waiting to be caught in a lie but when she hangs up and my phone chimes with an e-mail notification, I realize just how much information I still have access to.

“Bad guy?” Daisy asks as I check my phone.

“It’s a good question, Daisy-doo. Let’s find out.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Ruby

“It doesn’t add up. It’s not even close.” I say, digging my fingers into my scalp. I’ve called five charities that Steven donated to and none of it adds up. In fact, it’s so far off that I feel like I’m losing my mind. I must be missing something.

“Move,” Ryan orders me. “Let me look at it.”

I point to the numbers I’ve worked out and explain them to him. I have the guest lists in files on my drive still and the price for the tickets, so figuring out how much money we collected is straightforward. Then I estimated the overhead, which was fairly easy because that was always the part that I was mostly in charge of. Then all the remaining money we received should have been donated, yet the numbers that all five charities have provided me are significantly less.

After a few moments, Ryan starts shaking his head. “That motherducker,” he says for Daisy’s benefit.

“Quack-quack,” she responds, tottering around the kitchen banging the spatulas Dad gave her.

At least there’s Daisy to lighten the situation, because right now I feel sick to my stomach.

“It’s bad right?” I say. “Like not even close to matching up?”

Before he has time to answer, a knock sounds at the door.

My dad looks at us questioningly, but we both shrug. I’m not expecting anyone.

I shut the notebook closed, paranoia creeping up on me. What I potentially know makes me feel dirty.

“Good morning, fellas,” I hear my dad say. Ryan looks at me, confused.

“Good morning, Mr. Rivers.” Levi’s voice makes me stand. I grip the table and hold my breath. Why is he here?

“I hope we’re not interrupting anything,” Asher says. “We were just looking for Ruby.”

“No problem. No problem at all. Come on in. I can make you some French toast while Ruby fills you in on why her ex-husband is the scummiest man on the planet.”

“Oh, so just a normal Sunday morning, then?” Dean’s voice jokes.

Levi, Dean, and Asher stroll into the kitchen behind my dad. They tower over my dad and always seem to make our cottage feel like a child’s fort.

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