AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She just smiled. “I’m Verity, by the way.”
“Jul—” I stopped, mentally shaking myself. “Bernie.”
Her grin widened to reveal perfect white teeth. “Indeed. Well, let’s get some coffee and food into you before you pass out.”
I made to stand to go order but she shook her head, laughing again. “Sit—don’t want to reopen that wound on your knee. No blood on the floor, please.” Turning toward the bar, she called out, “Avery, can you get this lovely lady a—” She turned back to me expectantly.
“Uh, vanilla latte and a blueberry muffin if they have it,” I mumbled.
Her megawatt smile could have lit the place entirely on its own. She spun in her chair again to repeat my order to the barista. Avery—a petite black-haired girl—gave her a smile and a thumbs-up.
I was getting more cash from my purse when Verity clucked her tongue. “Now, now, it’s my treat. I can tell you’ve had a hard morning, and men that go out of their way to make a girl’s day harder than it already is, make me, well…” She cocked her head to the side, the twist of her lips looking suddenly sinister. “I punish them.”
My brows rose. “Trust me, you do not want to see the other guy.”
Verity laughed. “Oh girl, it’s a pity you have to run off. I think we could have been friends.”
I felt myself grinning back, though a pang of regret hit me square in the chest. “Yeah, I think so.”
Just then, Avery brought over a coffee, the foam elegantly crafted into a string of hearts around the edge of the cup, as well as a massive blueberry muffin with a side of whipped butter.
My stomach rumbled, and I thanked Avery. Verity let me take a sip of the drink. I sighed contentedly, in love with the heavenly balance of bitter and sweet.
While I slathered up my muffin with butter, she asked what my favorite TV show was and when I gave a list, she became more animated, seeming more her age as she prattled on about each of her favorite characters and who should have ended up with whom.
It really was a pity I was leaving because our tastes were alarmingly similar. Had my location not been discovered, I’d have been content to stay for a little longer, but now I’d have to leave the only friendly face I’d encountered since Texas. I couldn’t help but wonder how she came to be in the life of crime. In a way, it suited her. But the more time I spent in her company, the more she just seemed like your average girl, obsessed with hot guys.
When I was finished, she gave an almost sad smile. “Do you need transportation?”
As nice as she’d been, I still didn’t trust her enough for that. I shook my head. “I’ll be okay.”
A twinkle sparked in her chocolatey gaze. “Of that I have no doubt.”
She stood and extended her hand. I took it, shaking it once for good measure, and slung my purse onto my shoulder.
“Stay safe,” she said.
I smiled in return before heading for the door, leaving whatever temporary protection I’d been granted behind.
Chapter Thirty-Two
JULIETTA
I made it to my next destination less than a day later.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
It wasn’t the ugliest place I’d ever been, but no one paid me any mind, allowing me to fade into the noise seamlessly.
After checking into yet another cheap, cash-only hotel, I unpacked my things and sighed. The small, seedy room would have to do for now.
The way my muscles felt coiled tight, like danger would spring out at any moment, had my body sore. It was a little after midnight, but I had one task to complete before anything else. Tearing into the box of dye I’d purchased, I set to work mixing the two bottles and applying the colorant to my hair. My lips were a thin, tight line as I worked, and nearly an hour and two applications later, I stood in front of the mirror with vibrant pink hair. I’d need to cut it short to complete the look, but for now it would do.
My stomach rumbled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since yesterday. Through the front window, the grocery store across the street looked open, so I grabbed a few bills—tucking the rest in an envelope that I hid behind the mirror in the bathroom—and set out.
I kept my head down, but my eyes took stock of everyone and everything around me. Only workers seemed to be milling around, restocking the shelves. I grabbed a few necessities including a newspaper and headed for the checkout.
The guy working the register had a shiny bald head, but his smile was infectious. “Is that all for you tonight, darling?” he asked.
