Page 6 of Trust No One

But she knew it was past time to end it. She needed to move on, and as long as Dev was part of the business, she’d never be able to do that. Working with him, seeing him every day, would keep that wound fresh.

Staring at the papers in her purse, she set her bag on the bench seat next to her and took a drink of her wine. Liquid courage, maybe. She hated doing this, but knew she had no choice. She’d hate herself more if she didn’t do it now.

Dev strolled in a few minutes after five. Greeted several people on his way over to her booth, including two women whose eyes followed him across the room.Not her problem, she reminded herself. Not anymore. Not ever again.

As Dev slid into the booth, he smiled when he saw the beer. “Thanks, babe. I love that you know my favorite beer.”

“Hard not to, when that’s all you ever drink,” she said easily. She’d bet a lot of money that Dev didn’t even know what kind of wine she preferred, other than ‘red’.

He nodded at her glass. “That the pinot something you like?”

She resisted rolling her eyes. “No, it’s a cabernet. That’s what I like.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

He hadn’t remembered it for the past two years, and he’d have no reason to remember it in the future.

The future they wouldn’t share.

The thought caused a pang in her chest, but she ignored it. She drew a deep breath, took a sip of her wine, then put the glass on the table. Spun the glass around by twisting the stem.

Drew her hands away from the wine and set them on the table.

“There’s something we need to talk about, Dev.”

He took a drink of beer and leaned against the cushion on the back of the booth. “Hit me.”

Mel swallowed as she studied him. He sat there, cocky and completely unaware of how she felt. Of how hurt and beaten down she was.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled the paper and the check out of her purse and set both on the table. “I’m buying out your share of Blackhawk Security,” she said. She took out the check and pushed it across the table. Then opened the agreement she’d had their lawyer write up and smoothed it out. “Here’s the severance agreement.”

Dev frowned at her. “What the hell, Mel? I don’t want to be bought out. I love running Blackhawk with you. I’ve loved every minute of the last two years.”

“That’s good, Dev. But I haven’t. I need you gone. This isn’t working for me anymore. I can’t live in the past, pretending things are the way they used to be between us.

“I need to getmeback, and I can’t do that with you here all the time. I need to move on.”

She gave him a sad smile. “I know what you’re going to say, but you have no choice. I know you, Dev. You scanned the contract to buy into the company, but you never really read it. I told you how much money I needed, and you wrote me a check. I appreciated your trust at the time, but the contract states that I have the right to buy you out at any time, as long as I give you the fair market value of your half of the company. And this check” – she pushed it across the table – “is fair market value.”

Dev looked at the check and his eyes widened. Then he looked at Mel. “How do you know this is half the value of the company?”

“I spoke to an accountant who specializes in these kinds of agreements. I showed her all the numbers from the business, and she said Blackhawk Security is worth four million dollars.” She tapped the check with her fingertip. “That’s your half.”

“I don’t want to do this, Mel,” he said quietly.

“I don’t really care, Dev,” she said, her heart heavy with pain. “I do. This is whatIwant. WhatIneed. I’m sorry if you’re not happy about it, but I need to take care of myself.”

* * *

Dev looked at that huge check, then dragged his eyes up to Mel. She sat on the other side of the table, watching him. Her mouth was a little wobbly, but he knew she’d get it under control.

Mel was always under control.

He flicked the edge of the termination document. Stared at the spot where he was supposed to sign. Mel had signed it already. As if she didn’t want to linger at the table with him a moment longer than necessary.

What the hell have I done?

She’s kicking me out. I had the perfect life. We co-owned this company. Ran it together. Even though we weren’t a couple, I got to be with Mel every day. I had my fun on the side, but Mel was always there for me.

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