Page 64 of Summoning my Grumpy Demon Boss

Pulling out my phone, I snap a picture of her contact details. It’s completely unethical. These files are strictly confidential. I figure it balances out against what Dad did anyway.

“Do you know her?”

Luke shrugs. “Not really. As far as I know she still lives in Kraken Cove. Her daughter works in the local primary school.”

I think, chewing on my lip for a moment. I snap a few photos of the rest of the case notes and replace the file, closing and locking the filing cabinet. “I’m going to read through Dad’s notes more carefully in the morning, but there’s always two sides to the story. I’m sure we can make a case if we work out what this woman wants, and why she thinks your parents are at fault.”

I might never have spoken in a courtroom, but I know the ins and outs of a civil lawsuit. I’m used to preparing evidence.

“Maybe if I can talk to her in person, feel her out... I don’t know. Maybe she’ll reconsider...”

Luke nods. “That’s what your Dad was saying. Something about settling.”

“Hopefully it doesn’t come to that. Maybe, if we’re lucky, I can convince her to drop the case. It’s a risk for her. She could be facing some pretty steep legal fees if she doesn’t win.”

He nods. “Yeah. That all sounds reassuring.”

I chew on my lip again. “I’ll have to get to her quickly before things progress any further.”

Luke runs a hand through his hair. “How will you talk to her in person? Don’t you have to be at work tomorrow?”

I fold my arms across my chest. “You know what? No. I don’t have to be at work tomorrow. Or any day after that. I quit. If Dad thinks I’m working another day for a firm that’s going to pull this kind of stuff, he’s got another think coming!”

Luke places a large hand on each of my upper arms, looking deep in my eyes. “Mia, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support on this, but is that what you want? Really?”

I give him a firm nod. “It is. If being with me has created problems for you and your family, then I’m going to put that right. Starting tonight. I’m done. I’m done with Sydney, and I’m done with my family. If they can’t support me, I’m done with all the things getting in the way of what I want.”

Luke pulls me into a huge hug, the kind that cracks your spine and squeezes the breath from your lungs. When he draws back, he’s grinning, and the lighthearted spark is back in his eyes. “Well I won’t complain if I get to take you home with me. When do we leave?”

“Now!” I look down at my phone and wince. It’s almost midnight. “OK, first thing tomorrow. I’ll grab my stuff from the apartment and we’ll head back to Kraken Cove and get this sorted.”

We go back to Tegan’s apartment, sneaking in, though it turns out she’s still not home. I spend a restless night drifting in and out of sleep, worried about my decision. But every time I come back to it, I can’t see any other way out. I need to help Luke’s family and resolve this legal case. And I can’t stomach continuing to work at Sinclair Law. Not after this. Not that it was ever what I wanted to do.

If only I could make a living from my art. That’s always been a pipe dream, though. No, I’ll find a way to put my law degree to use in Kraken Cove. Job opportunities might be more limited than Sydney, but they exist. I’ll find something.

I finally get a few hours of deeper sleep when Luke rolls over and flings his arm around me, holding me close. When I wake, my mind is completely made up.

TWENTY SIX

Mia

We’re up before the sun and stuffing our overnight things back into bags. I text Tegan and tell her what I’m doing, since I can’t even tell from the quiet in the apartment if she made it home at all last night.

I’m too nervous to eat breakfast, so I just brush my teeth, throw my toothbrush in my bag, and we head to the apartment I used to call home. I’m dreading a confrontation if Oliver is there, but to my profound relief, when I unlock the door to let us in, there’s no sign of him.

I breathe out a long sigh, and Luke’s warm palm rubs the small of my back. “You good, babe?”

“Yeah.” When I look back, he’s looking past me, taking in the apartment. I can’t blame him. In his position, I’d be doing the same. When I lead him through into the bedroom to pack, I can’t help seeing it with fresh eyes, too.

I’ve always hated the pale blinds that let in too much of the morning light, and the king-sized bed that feels too big. All things Oliver insisted were must haves.

I pull clothes from the closet, hastily stuffing them into the two large suitcases I have, mentally listing the things I should take with me now, and what I can return for another time. I’d like to take everything with me, so there’s no need to come back at all, but that’s not practical. We have to be in Kraken Cove as soon as we can so we can track down Margaret.

Luke wanders in, eyes still on the walls. “Want me to help?”

I shake my head. “I’m still not sure what I want. Can you check the pantry and see if there’s any food we should take?”

He leaves the bedroom while I’m still packing. I move onto my shoes and jewellery, which doesn’t take me long.

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