He sauntered around the room, studying the layout. “Your lawyer contacted me. She gave me divorce papers to sign. What will you do if I refuse?” He turned to watch me. “Even if I were to sign the papers, it takes months to finalize an uncontested divorce. If you’re thinking you can live off alimony—my money, Katherine—for the rest of your life, you’d better think again. I’d rather be unemployed and living on the streets than give you another dime.” He smiled cruelly. “Whatever will you do?”
I laughed and shook my head. “God, you’re like a villain in a soap opera. Why the hell did I let you tie me up in knots for so long?” I made a shooing motion with my hand. “Go. Twirl your mustache somewhere else.”
He stepped toward me, anger lining his face.
I held up a staying hand. “Justin, you don’t love me. I doubt you ever did. California is a no-fault state. We have no children?—”
“Thank God,” he interjected. “You’re so stupid. Why do you think you never got pregnant? I had that taken care of before we were even married. I did not want a fat wife running after snotty kids. No. That was not going to be my life.”
I don’t know what happened. He was sneering at me one minute, and then staggering back, blood dripping from his nose the next. I shook out my quickly swelling hand. Where the hell was my bat? “Strictly speaking, I don’t think it’s stupid to love and trust your husband, but, yes, I was stupid not to have seen the kind of man you are, not to have left you sooner.”
Chaucer stepped in front of me, hackles raised, his deep growl vibrating through the floor. Justin stopped, wiping the blood from his lip, uncertainty flitting across his features.
“I wouldn’t if I were you. Chaucer hates you even more than I do.” It was my turn to smirk. I could read the conflict as clear as day. He was frightened by Chaucer but didn’t want to back down, admit defeat. Chaucer leaned forward and Justin stepped back.
I heard the back door open again. “Katie? Can I talk to you, please?” Aiden stepped out from the kitchen and stopped short. “Oh, excuse me.” His gaze ran over Justin, assessing the situation. Chaucer was still growling, the fur between his shoulders standing up. Aiden moved forward, towering over Justin’s slim, athletic five feet nine inches. Aiden’s muscles flexed as he crossed his arms. “Kate, will you introduce me to your friend?”
“He’s not a friend. This is my ex-husband, Justin Cady.”
“So, that’s it, is it?” Justin had found his voice. “You’ve already found another man to take care of you. How long, Katherine? How long before you jumped into some other man’s bed?”
“Gee, I don’t know. I’ve kinda been juggling two of ’em. This one and one that’s even bigger and better looking.”
Justin spit out, “Whore.” Before he could finish his sneer, Aiden had him slammed against the wall. He’d grabbed Justin’s perfectly pressed white button-down and was holding him by the fabric he’d fisted at Justin’s throat. Justin struggled, turning red.
“Apologize.” Aiden looked huge and frightening as hell as he made the demand.
I put my hand on Aiden’s arm. He didn’t relax his grip, but he let me take over. “I wasn’t trolling for dates on our honeymoon. I didn’t cheat on you throughout our marriage. That was you. Watch who you’re calling a whore.”
It was impossible for him to maintain any dignity while Aiden held him. “Yes, fine. I apologize. That was beneath me.”
Aiden didn’t release him so much as bounce him off the wall.
I straightened my spine. “Why are you here, Justin? You didn’t travel three thousand miles to tell me you think I’m pathetic.” Aiden’s hands fisted. “What do you want?”
Tipping his chin, arrogance returned, he said, “The car. I want my car. It’s perfection.”
I smirked. “Not so much anymore.”
“Side panels and windows can be replaced. The mechanical precision cannot.” His eyes shifted to Aiden, quickly assessing. “I saw it parked in back. I have my own keys, as it’s mine. I’m merely being considerate, telling you I’m taking it.”
A bitter laugh rushed out. “Oh, yeah. You’re nothing if not considerate. Whatever. Take the car. It’s not like I have fond memories of it.” My hand fell to Chaucer. “Or that it fits us. Okay, are we done now? Have you said all the hateful things you needed to say?” Not waiting for an answer, I went on, “Yes? Good? See ya, Justin. Our lawyers can hash out the rest. This is my home now, and as you have no business in Bar Harbor, we never have to see each other again.”
“Let me walk you out.” Aiden held out his hand, leading Justin toward the kitchen. Justin walked quickly through the restaurant and out the back door, with Aiden close on his heels.
I stood, trying to absorb how my day had so suddenly changed. It seemed impossible that I had just been admiring the walls and picking out dishes. Aiden walked in a few moments later. He was shaking out a hand before he noticed me watching him.
Expression tender, concerned, he asked, “Are you okay?”
I was doing fine until he started in with the kindness. My eyes flooded and I turned away. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him, crushing me against his chest. But I wasn’t having it. I pushed him away.
“Stop. I don’t like you any better than him.”
His shoulders slumped. “I know. I—” He stuffed his hand in his pockets. “Something you said. I realized I was acting just like—I was being an asshole?—”
“Yes. My point exactly. Thank you.” I slapped my thigh. “Come on, Chaucer. We’re out of here.”
“You don’t have a car.”
