Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano

Author:Elle Cosimano
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

Chapter 7

The next week, Vero spent three cold, exhausting nights staking out Terence’s office at the bank, and each one of those stakeouts had been a bust. Terence returned to work every evening after the bank closed, turned on a single light in his tiny closet of an office, and watched the many hours of security footage that had been recorded throughout the day. Vero knew this because she’d parked by the tanning salon next door, where she was afforded a clear view of Terence’s computer screen through his office window, using the set of binoculars she’d purchased from the Wild Bird Center in the strip mall.

Vero’s disappointment in her failed mission had necessitated a stop at the Dunkin’ Donuts drive-through on the way back to Ramón’s for her own large latte with extra whip and several sugar-glazed crullers. In her defense, she’d left the bank just after dawn, she was feeling premenstrual, and she couldn’t be sure the contents of her cousin’s fridge would support her need for high-fructose corn syrup and carbs.

Balancing her coffee tray in one hand and her to-go bag under her arm, she unlocked her cousin’s apartment, throwing her unburdened shoulder into the door when it stuck. Ramón’s truck had been gone when she’d pulled into the complex, and some asshole had parked his shiny black Camaro in her cousin’s assigned space, which meant Vero had had to park in outer Siberia and carry her bags twice as far. She’d paid the driver back by stealing the caps off the valves on two of his tires and using her apartment key to release all the air from them. Then she’d dumped Ramón’s caramel latte over the Camaro’s pristine windshield. It hadn’t accomplished anything, but it had made her feel better. And since Ramón wasn’t home, he wasn’t going to miss the fancy beverage she’d purchased for him anyway.

Vero set down her things and kicked off her shoes. There was a sticky note on the counter in the kitchen from Ramón, saying he’d be working late and wouldn’t be home for dinner. Great. She wouldn’t feel guilty about eating Ramón’s donuts, since apparently he wasn’t going to miss those either.

She collapsed backward onto the sofa and put her feet up on the coffee table, licking glaze off her fingers as she chewed. Her little corner of the apartment was cozy and warm, and after nearly two weeks, it was starting to feel like home. At some point since she’d arrived, fall had taken hold. The weather had begun to cool and the heat had clicked on. Morning sun streamed through the window, casting dust-mote-filled beams over the room. She snuggled deeper into Javi’s sweatshirt. The hoodie had been convenient when she’d needed to conceal her face in public, but she’d be lying if she said that was the only reason she hadn’t returned it to him. It still smelled faintly like him, like the blanket on the back of the sofa, and she draped that over herself, too, tucking it snugly around her.

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