Page 22 of Monster's Claim
“Let’s try your plan,” Matthias finallysaid, laying a gentle kiss on her cheek.“If we catch thisson-of-a-bitch, you won’t need to worry about him ever again.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, nuzzling theside of his neck like a needy kitten.
Lara rested her palm on his left pectoral,over the heart that beat steadily for her.She knew it wasn’t easyfor him, agreeing to use her as bait, but she wasn’t only doingthis for him.
She wanted to find out what future lay instore for both of them.
Chapter Twelve
Lara nervously took another sip of her tea,but the liquid felt tasteless in her mouth.
“Relax, little bird.I’m right here withyou,” Matthias said through her wireless Bluetooth earpiece.“I’llbe right outside the cafe in the car with Ryker.There are membersof the Familia in there, waiting for your signal.”
He’d gone over the plan with her numeroustimes, but hearing his voice soothed her frazzled nerves.At first,she didn’t think Skip would take the bait when she messaged him.The mention of finding an envelope of cash in the dresser certainlydid the trick.Two days after she texted him, he replied with anaddress to meet.
The door to the cafe opened, revealing askinny guy wearing an old military jacket with a hoodie underneath,his hair shaved close to his skull.Skip looked around the cafe,zeroed in on her, and flopped himself to the empty seat in front ofher.
“Lara, you look fine.You lost weight?”heasked, flashing her a smile.
It took all of Lara’s self-control tosuppress a shudder of revulsion.Fat and ugly were two of theadjectives Skip liked to holler at her when he got drunk.Skip, onthe other hand, looked the worse for wear.His skin looked chalky,and there were bags under his eyes.
“Let’s get this over with,” Lara said,playing the role of the disinterested but angry ex.
She wondered if he believed her.Skip hadn’trun yet at least, but was she only fooling herself that she couldreally do this?Her insides coiled.Talking and even being in thesame space with him summoned all kinds of negative emotions Larathought she’d buried.
Memories of him smacking her around theirapartment surfaced in her head.Skip always left bruises where noone would find them.She swallowed the rising bile down her throat.No.Lara couldn’t break down right here and now.
“Lara, do you want to stop?”Matthias saidin her earpiece.
Hearing his voice, reminded her she wasn’talone.She could do this.Lara promised to help them after all.Shenever went back on her word.
“You’re not even going to buy me a drink,doll?”Skip drawled.
“No, I need to be on my way to work.”Sheeven wore her waitress uniform although her no-shows the past fewdays had gotten her fired.
Lara didn’t think it was much of a loss,given the wages she was paid for the long hours she put in.Afterhearing she’d lost her job at the diner, Giovanni himself offeredher a job at Paolo’s, and Lara told him she might take him up onhis offer.
She reached for the fat envelope in herhandbag and slid it over the table.Shit.Her hands shook asshe did.Lara only prayed Skip would see her nervousness as part ofher act.
Skip instantly made a grab for it, alreadyflipping the envelope flap and counting the cash inside of it.
Lara was tempted to leave there and then,but she reminded herself this cafe was a public space.She neededto get Skip outside, to a less crowded location.
“Where did you get all that money anyway?Ifound it while I was cleaning the room.It was in your sock drawer,along with some of your socks,” she said.
“I probably must have left this emergencystash there.I was in a hurry to leave,” he muttered, not lookingat her completely.
Skip was more focused on his newly acquiredprize.Typical greedy asshole.
“Well, whatever mess or problem you’vegotten yourself into, leave me out of it.”
Lara abruptly stood and grabbed her handbag.She walked out of the cafe quickly.Good.Everything wasgoing according to plan so far.
“Lara, wait,” Skip said behind her.
She could hear his hurrying footsteps.Heartracing, she turned on the first corner and entered an alley.No onethere but a couple of stray cats hanging by the garbage bins.Thisreminded her of the time she’d exited the hair salon, but thistime, she wasn’t the target.
“Matthias?Get ready,” she whispered to theearpiece.
