Ruthless Arrangement (Underworld Kings)

E-Z’s limo pulls in behind me. He gets out of the car and walks up. I don't acknowledge him until he forces my hand.

"Is something wrong?" he asks. I’m still staring at the door, confused, and trying to figure out what all this means. Shouldn’t I have been notified?

"Yes, the shop is closed," I mutter, worrying my lip as I wave at the sign, "They didn't even notify me. The shop is never closed.” I turn to look at him “Why wouldn't they call me? What if something happened to the owner?”

"Something did happen to the owner,” he laughs, confusing me even more. When I just stare at him blankly, he continues. “You’re rich now, Belle.”

He has his hands in his pockets, looking at me as if I should know this already. He says it so nonchalantly—as if people just come into money all the time. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all.

"I'm not rich, Killian is. I fail to see what this has to do with this beauty shop and what used to be my job," I snap. “Honestly, I’d rather forget about Killian’s money. It’s doing nothing but causing me problems.”

E-Z stares at me and then laughs way too hard. He’s really being a jerk today. I shake my head. It's not my money, and I won't act like it is. Killian worked to get it. I don't feel comfortable living a life of luxury while he's locked up and barely surviving at this point.

“You're his wife which means you're rich, but that's not what I meant.”

"Will you please stop talking in circles?" I huff out, shaking my head at him. He dares to laugh at me again! I purse my lips and stand there, staring at the empty building wondering how much trouble I’d get in for swinging E-Z upside the head with my purse.

"You can be so cute. If Killian didn't have a claim on you, you'd be in trouble." All I can do is frown at him which seems to make it funnier as he continues laughing. I find myself hoping he gets so many laugh lines he looks like he’s ninety tomorrow.

“There’s nothing funny about any of this, E-Z. I’m genuinely worried about my boss—who, I guess, is my former boss now.”

"You don’t need to worry about her. She sold this shop for twice what it's worth.”

He nods as if it was an intelligent decision. It wasn't! What about all of Sally’s employees? She’s just leaving us in the lurch. Several of my co-workers have children and are the sole income for their family.

"She did? Sally never even mentioned it was up for sale and she didn’t give her employees time to plan," I gripe. “Who does that?” The more I think about it, the madder I start to get—especially now that my shock has worn off. “What am I supposed to do for work now? What about Sheila and Denise, for that matter?” I try to take a deep breath and calm down, but people shouldn't just do this to others.

"Who the hell are Sheila and Denise? Do you have kids Killian and I don't know about?" he asks, frowning. If the situation didn't feel so bleak, I’d laugh just at the shock on his face. But I can't. This situation and his accusations are too much for me.

"No, I don't have kids! I would never hide my kids from anyone if I had them!" I yell out, realizing I'm starting to make a scene and not caring in the slightest. I’m a little out of control, but I can’t help it. Everything is a mess and the irony of it all doesn’t escape me. I argued with Killian about work, so he’s made sure I don't have a job to go to.

Now, to top it all, E-Z is insulting me. What kind of person does he think I am? How could I have even hidden kids from him and Killian? They all but forced me out of my apartment. It was pretty clear when they packed up all my stuff that I didn’t have kids hiding anywhere.

"So, who the hell is Sheila and Denise then?" he asks. His patience is wearing thin. That should probably worry me, but I’m in pretty much the same boat.

"They are the other hairstylists that work…that used to work here."

"Oh. I imagine they're waiting for you to call them," he responds, acting as if he just solved a giant mystery. He tilts his head as he raises his eyebrows. It takes the steam out of me, and I instantly feel a bit calmer.

"I didn't think of that. Though, I don't suppose I can tell them anything either. There's not a lot of shops in the area that are hiring. It's not like I know the owners." E-Z starts to laugh yet again, and I can feel my anger rising in me at whatever he thinks is so funny.