“It’s complicated, but the sale of it will mean a better life for the girls with nothing.”
She chews on her bottom lip. “I could give them my bounce house.”
I smile at her tenderness. I didn’t know she had any, but here it is.
“Can you forgive me?” I ask.
She huffs out a brea“Only if you’re nice to Penny. She needs more friends. We all need more friends.”
That we do.
She spins around and heads for the theater, apparently done with the conversation. But I’m not.
“Wait…”
She doesn’t stop. I need her to keep quiet. Who is she going to tell? Her parents? The police? She’s going to hold this over me to get me to do what she wants. I’ve got to hand it to her. The girl is good.
I follow her to the theater room like a dog on a chain.
“Where’s the water?” Maya asks.
“Couldn’t find it,” I mumble.
“Mrs. Morrison stopped by again,” Bella says, looking at me pointedly.
“What did she want?” Maya asks with a yawn.
“Who knows? That old bat is crazy.”
“Bella! That’s not nice,” Maya scolds, but I’m taking Bella’s side on this one. I hope the old woman doesn’t make good on her threat and come back. I’d hate to have to fight an old lady.
Bella plops on the couch. There’s plenty of space next to Maya—space I want to take up. Space she may even have saved for me. But I can’t right now. Not after I was just caught. I’m putting myself on time-out for sucking at my job.
I’m exhausted. Things with Maya deserve more time and attention than I can offer right now.
I lie down on the couch perpendicular to hers but still close enough to hear her sigh. Out of relief or disappointment?
I don’t have time to dwell on it; I need to figure things out. But Rosie still isn’t responding.
I scan the security cams through the app on my phone. The thief got through the front door while Maya and I were talking. I should have been paying better attention. I double-check that the smart lock is set and lean back. I’m usuallythe one breaking in, not trying to keep people out. How do I keep these girls safe?
I’m going to have to do it. I don’t want to, but I need help.
I open a secure thread to Liam and explain the predicament, the additional thieves in pursuit, and the MIA painting.
I stare at my phone, waiting for his reply. It doesn’t come, and my eyes are heavy. I’ll just rest for a moment, and then I’ll fix all the problems waiting for me.
Maya
Am I mad at Soren for not sitting by me during the movie after our little heart-to-heart?
Of course not.
That being said, I also did not stop Bella from painting his nails while he slept.
There’s a certain amount of karma one can allow to happen. Ididstop her before she got to the makeup.
“We should head to bed,” I tell Bella, glancing at the time. It’s nearly ten, and she’s usually in bed by eight.
