Page 110 of Exposé

"Yep. Just this." I dug into my wallet and shuffled through the pockets.

"Nine dollars even." She tossed the box of condoms into a mini plastic bag as I pulled my debit card and shoved it into the machine.

BEHBEH.

"Um.It says declined."

I raised my brow. "Declined? That's not possible." I pulled the card out of the slot. "Run it again, please."

She snapped her gum and pushed a button on the register. "Go ahead."

Sliding the card into the machine, I watched the processing status.

BEHBEH.

"Declined. Do you want to try a different card?"

My stomach fell. "Have you been having issues with your card reader? This should work without a problem."

"You're the first." She switched her gum to the other side of her mouth and chewed, her lips smacking.

Another customer stepped up behind me, sighing loudly, his rundown shoes sticking to the tacky floor.

"I'll do cash then." Pulling the card, my cheeks burning, I slipped it into my wallet and handed the woman a ten-dollar bill.

"Do you want change?"

I frowned. "You don't work off of tips. Yes, I want my change."

She slapped the dollar into my hand and waved the next customer forward. "Next."

I snatched my bag and drink off of the counter with a glare and stalked out of the store, my hands shaking.

What the hell just happened?

Placing my bag on the bench seat by the bus stop, I tucked my box into the center of the bag as the bane of my existence began vibrating inside my pocket. Fishing it out, I pressed it to my ear. "Hello?"

"Ms. Thatcher, this is Brent with Riverfield towing. I am at the location you've marked on your claim, but there isn't a vehicle here."

"What do you mean it's not there?"

"I mean, the vehicle is gone, ma'am. Do you think the pin might be wrong?"

"Let me check." My heart stampeded as I doubled-checked the notification I’d sent the insurance company, along with the coordinates of my car. "No, I sent the right pin. Are you sure you're in the right location?"

I threw my bag over my shoulder, grateful I chose flats today and marched down the sidewalk.

What in the world was going on?

"I'm in the same spot as the pin—"

A strong arm wrapped around my waist, a hand clamped around my mouth as I screamed. The man yanked me between two buildings, my legs kicking out in front of me, my phone dropping to the ground, my soda spilling open as it hit.

"Shut the fuck up and listen to me now," he growled.

I stilled, my body flush against his, his facial hair scraping against my neck. My nostrils flared as I struggled for breath against his hand. The tips of my toes touched the ground, my heart ramming through my chest.

"Move on, or life as you know it will get a whole lot worse for you. Nod if you understand."

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