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Pouring a paper cup of java, she heard someone crying. It was soft like a whimper. She turned her head, seeing a woman at a desk in an office. The door was half open.
Her hair was a mess, and she had bags under her eyes. She wore shabby clothes, and she looked at the paperwork in front of her.
She had a phone in front of her on speaker, shaking her head. "No, Phillipe, I need that money.Por favor."
She could hear the man on the other end. "I'm not giving you a cent, Carlota."
The woman rubbed at her mouth, tears still streaming down her face. "I need it for a down payment for a car."
"The fuck do you need a car for? You have two fucking feet, walk."
Mickey watched her wipe at her eyes, the amount of stress clearly written over her face. "Phillipe, I need a car. I can't go to work and feed the kids without one. For once, just be their father and give me the money I need. You owe me years of child support."
Mickey remembered her mother holding the same look. Her mother would sit at the kitchen table and count coins. She'd recount over and over. Every penny had a place. She remembered the bills and the angry calls from businesses wanting their money. She recalled having their water turned off and having to live without electricity for a month.
She rubbed her hand, looking at Strap. He stood next to her, pouring himself a cup of coffee. His jaw was clenched.
"Phillipe," she begged once more, starting to cry harder. "I'm going to lose my job, and the kids and I are going to lose the apartment. I need this."
She felt her heart twist for the gal wishing she could do something for her. There had been so many times she wanted to take away her mother's pain.
Her mother tried to hide it, but she still heard her crying in the middle of the night.
"All right," Ron spoke up across the way, waving them over. "I'm ready for y’all." Strap grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze before they turned, following Ron. Her heart felt broken for the lady.
They went into another room where Strap signed paper after paper. Her mind was still with that mother.
After Strap finished signing everything, he tossed a few stacks of money toward Ron. He pulled himself up and opened the door for her. Mickey peeled herself off the couch and followed after him. She headed for the door, but Strap detoured into the office the lady was in.
The mother stared at her phone, her body shaking. Her head popped up as Strap walked in. She looked ready to give up. He placed two stacks of money from his bag on the desk and walked out before she could say anything.
He grabbed Mickey’s hand, and she stared over her shoulder at the lady for another second. The woman stared at the money like she couldn’t believe it was there. She tentatively reached a hand toward it like it might bite, then pulled it tightly to her chest. She realized that was everything she needed.
That money was going to turn her entire life around. She could get a vehicle and comfortably afford the things her children would need for a long time.
As they stepped outside, Mickey stared at Strap. "Why did you do that?" She couldn't believe how easily he had just handed his money over. Once more, it was seemingly second nature to him.
He gave her a gentle smile. "She needs it more than I ever will.”
Her heart twisted. Maybe she'd been wrong about him. He clearly had a heart too.
She bit her cheek, seeing the woman's face in her mind. Strap had a point. She needed that money for her children. Clearly, whoever fathered her kids wasn't helping, and she was struggling.
She felt Strap's hand holding tightly onto hers, and she knew she had a good guy. Yes, he was a thief, but that wasn't entirely his fault.
She didn't know her father, but she could see him taking advantage of Strap. Not physically, as Strap was powerful with double shifter powers, but his mind. Her father must’ve been the evilest of men.
Mickey wanted to lead him away from the life he had led. She had to find a way to get those baseballs before he had to commit another crime. After she returned the balls to their rightful owner, she’d reform him into the great person she saw deep inside him.
She gave his hand a squeeze as they headed to his new car.
FIFTEEN
MICKEY
They headed back to her apartment in the fancy car. She reclined in her seat, taking in the interior. She was blown away by how comfortable it was. Strap looked at her with a smirk.
"You enjoying the ride?"
