Matrix (Underground Vengeance MC Romance, Montana Chapter Book 3) by Liv Brywood

Author:Liv Brywood [Brywood, Liv]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15: Matrix

The fluorescent lighting in the gas station mini-mart feels wrong. It’s too bright, yet it also flickers off, casting darkness over the aisles. My stomach rumbles, reminding me why I’m here. I only need a little food. Just enough to get me through another night.

As I walk down the row of snacks, I glance at the round mirror near the ceiling in the corner. The guy at the register hasn’t stopped reading the magazine with the naked lady on the cover. He’s not paying any attention to me, so I shouldn’t have any trouble taking enough to last a few extra days. Stealing every night is risky. The less I have to do it, the better.

I stuff the biggest bag of potato chips I can find down my shirt. My stomach bulges out like a pregnant lady’s. I consider putting it back, but the cash register guy hasn’t looked up once. He’ll never know. Also, he’s not going to miss these candy bars. There are so many, and I only need a few. I grab a Snickers, a package of peanut butter cups, and a roll of six chocolate doughnuts.

By the time I’ve got it all stowed away, I’m slobbering. I want to rip into everything and stuff it in my face, but I’ll have to wait until I get back to the park.

I walk past jugs of water but leave them alone. Water’s not hard to get. There are drinking fountains in the park where I’m living. I wait until after dark to go out, so no one messes with me. I’d really like a soda to wash this all down. I haven’t had one in days. Besides, one can won’t change anything. I can swipe it from the refrigerated case. It’ll be easy since no one’s watching me.

Making my way toward the back of the store, a man who looks like a ghost steps into the aisle, blocking my path. I look up and up and up until I see his face. It’s mean.

“Boy, are you going to pay for all that stuff?” His voice is angry and reminds me of my last foster dad. He was a bad man. This guy might be one too. He’s got wild, black hair sticking up all over, just like that kid who stuck a knife into a light socket at my last house.

“Yeah.” I back up a step.

“Where are your parents?” he demands.

“They’re in here. Over there.” I point, hoping he’ll believe my lie and leave me alone.

“No one else is in the store. See that mirror? I can see everything. We’re the only people shopping … or stealing.”

“I’m going to pay for it.”

“Do you have money?”

“Yeah.” I want to turn and run away. I’m tempted to drop the snacks so I can escape.

“I can buy those for you.” The man’s voice goes soft. He squats down so I can see his face better. It’s puffy and very white.

“No, thanks,” I mumble. I glance at the guy behind the counter.

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