Page 54 of The Kat Bunglar

As he walked toward the bedroom, Laila glanced down at her hands; they were curled into fists, the nails digging into her palm. Why had she jumped to conclusions about him being married? She ground her teeth in frustration—because he was everything she had always wanted but was too scared to believe in.

Turning around, she tripped over a shoebox which caused her heel to fly off. Kicking the shoebox in frustration, she unbuttoned her coat. She was done being scared. She wanted Gabriel. And up until five minutes ago, he had wanted her too. Maybe she could change his mind and turn this whole thing around. Shrugging off her blazer while kicking off her other shoe, she slowly crept toward his bedroom door. Before she could turn the handle, she heard him snoring softly from the other side.

Losing her nerve, she turned around and went back to the sofa and lay on her side. Cursing herself for her own ineptitude, she vowed to make it up to him tomorrow. She would earn back his trust.

?Chapter 10

Pawn Stars & Red Flags

July 19

Los Angeles

Kat Kar

Trust is a funny thing. Once lost, it is impossible to earn back, Kat thought, watching her ‘friends’ Christian and Joseph walk hand in hand through the pawnshop.

Her own mind ricocheted back to the conversation with Laila. Come to LA, she had said. Find Joseph Chery. She might as well have told them to go look for Pikachu.

The air was hazy as ‘the three amigos’ looked upon rows upon rows of display cases featuring everything from designer watches to purses to hat pins. A fan spun lazily overhead as the pawnshop owner exhaled from his vape, looking at the three of them with bemusement.

Kat continued to stare at Joseph through narrowed eyes as he took over the negotiations and haggled with the broker over how much their set of Rolex watches were worth.

“Final offer, man, take it or leave it,” the shop owner exhaled out of his vape, bored and annoyed by the entire process.

“This is a huge rip-off, man!” Joseph said, closing the watch case with a snap.

Christian delicately touched Joseph’s arm. “What my fiancé meant to say is, we’re saving up for our wedding and anything extra you could throw in would really be appreciated. He’s been stationed overseas for the last five years, and we’re just so excited to finally start our lives together.”

The shopkeeper scratched his armpit before replying, “I’ll throw in another $500. Consider that my wedding present.”

Before Joseph could reply, Christian preened, “Fabulous, we’ll take that in cash.”

The shop owner eyed both of them before pulling the bills out of his register. “And uh—who’s your cute friend over there?” he grunted toward Kat.

Before Kat could retort, Christian forcefully said, “That’s our mute cousin from overseas. She doesn’t speak.”

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