He hopped in and said, “Ready to go shopping?” The sports car revved to life.
Shopping. Such a far-off, weird concept. I didn’t think I’d have the chance for something so simple anymore.
“Langley Mall is a bit much, no?”I muttered, my sandals slapping against the tile.
In the months I’d been homeless, I’d learned to shop at the dollar stores and anywhere cheap enough to stretch my savings out. The mindset shift had been difficult, but I’d survived.
Langley Mall was the antithesis of all that.
It smelled expensive as hell.
“You should get yourself some shoes.”
“Clothes first.” I veered to the right onto the carpeted floor. They’d gotten me a lot of lounge clothes already, but nothing professional, and certainly nothing for a party. I wanted to be ready in case they tried to use it as an excuse not to take me.
Sinclair grabbed a thick, puffy jacket that would engulf me.
“It’s notthatcold.”
He shrugged, a secretive smile on his lips; he was up to something. But I didn’t have the energy to prod more.
I reached the dressing room and slid the hangers over to look at different options. I selected a few in my size and laid them over his arm. One of the tags flashed as I did, and I tried not to swallow my tongue. Everything was brand-name, so I shouldn’t have been stunned by the three-digit tag. I grabbed a black-and-tan coat and piled it on top of what he already held. The top of the stacked clothes reached his chin.
Not my money.
I rolled my shoulders like I should shake off my reservations.
Now for shoes. We crossed the alcove, leading into a bunch of perfumes and colognes, until I stepped onto the section where lots of shoes were displayed. I zeroed in on the heels I wanted and then some sneakers within seconds. This time, there were no prices, which worked for me.
A saleswoman approached, her smile brilliant. Her Omega scent tickled my nose. “Welcome to Langley’s. Can I help you with anything?”
Her gaze bounced from me to Sinclair. I didn’t miss her looking at my neck where the claiming bites were.
“Can I get these in an eight?” I held up each shoe.
“Of course. I’ll take those.” She handled them gingerly, as if she were making a point. She left, and I turned my attention to Sinclair.
“Are you trying them on?”
I shook my head. “I know my size.” I was trying to hide it, but I was already good to go. Hatred was too harsh a word to describe my feelings about shopping, but I was ready to leave and find a damn cigarette.
“Is this where you guys shop?”
“Elias loves this damn store.”
“Here you are, ma’am.” She came back, and her attention snagged on my ankle monitor, and her grip on the boxes stiffened. “Are you able to . . .”
She cleared her throat and really looked at me, scanning me from head to toe.
Instead of grappling for the box, I let it go, my lips pressing into a thin line.
“Afford this?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. I scanned her too, returning her energy.
“Did you ask my Omega if she could afford this?” Sinclair’s tone was silky and threatening. The saleswoman stiffened, her mouth dropping.
“You,” he snarled, dominance in his tone. A small female Beta walking the floor immediately paid attention. He dumped all the items in the woman’s arms. She scrambled to hold everything.
“Let’s go, sweets,” he growled, crowding into my back.
