Yet if I turn them in, I’ll be hauled off in cuffs right along with them.
By now, the casino must know something is up with blackjack winnings, which means my days of freedom are numbered. The pit boss has eyes on me, and I can virtuallyfeelsecurity hovering. Even when I can’t see them, I know they’re there. There’s no way they aren’t reviewing the video footage from my overhead camera in super-slow motion with the zoom maxed out.
I’ll be fired or arrested any day now. Probably both.
And then what will happen to Kenzie? She’s innocent too.
Silas knows I want off this hamster wheel. I told him this morning that if I didn’t get her back tonight, I was going to the cops. That’s why he sent his goon to stare me down all night. His little way of reminding me that I’m under their control.
As if I didn’t know that already. I might as well get a butt tattoo that says:Property of Silas the Snake.
Although my terse words to Silas were a bluff, I hope he believes me and returns Kenzie tonight. If he doesn’t? I’ll find another way to break free and save her. Icannotgo on like this.
Despite my empty belly, I don’t bother eating. Fortunately, I no longer need appetite suppressants. Just thinking of my life does the trick. Hunger? What hunger?
Who knew that after years of failed attempts at losing weight, all I needed to do was become a criminal? I should start a blog.Follow me for more weight loss tips.
You don’t need food when you’re living a nightmare. After all, nobody eats in dreams, right?
Eh. Who am I kidding? I once had a dream of an all-you-can-eat cheese buffet. The restaurant was appropriately namedFromage Frenzy. I recall feeling proud of my subconscious for the alliteration when I woke that morning.
Memories of the queso fountain are yanked away by a booming voice. “Lila, I need to see you.”
My head jerks off the table. My manager stands in the break room doorway with an expectant look chiseled into his strong features. A quick glance at the clock tells me I’ve still got twenty minutes of my lunch hour left. So he’s not here to scold me for taking too long a break.
Which only means... they’ve come to take me away.
“Oh, Mr. Votaw. Um. Yeah. Sure.” I mutter, nodding frantically as I rise, which I’m sure is coming off as totally nonchalant. “Here?”
“In my office,” he tacks on, then stomps down the hallway.
I wonder how I’ll look in an orange jumpsuit. Or do they have the old black-and-white stripes? I saw something online about those making a comeback. I’ll likely find out soon. Hope they come in size eighteen. They must. I’m not the only woman in town who’s not slim but kind of shady.
On shaky legs, I trail behind him.
Should I just confess as soon as I get into his office? Explain what happened and beg him to help me save Kenzie? Or should I march straight past his office door and flee the scene?
Sadly, I don’t have my purse or car keys on me. So that idea’s out.
I tilt my head back and mentally recite my mantra, hoping to find the light of positivity to keep me from crumbling into the darkness.
You’re doing the best you can, Lila. You’ll find a way out. Kenzie will be safe, and you’ll both be free.
The words are hollow after weeks of repeating them to no avail.
It’s official. I’m a manifestation failure.
Mr. Votaw waits at his office doorway for me to catch up. His blank expression gives nothing away. I flash a beaming smile, channeling the sunshine I used to radiate just a few weeks ago. Before every ray of light inside me was snuffed.
For the second time in my life.
“Sorry to interrupt your lunch break,” he says when I’m a foot away.
I wave him off, still cloaked in my typical cheeriness. “Oh, that’s not a problem.”
He opens his palm, directing me toward the small table in the corner of his office. “Take a seat, and we’ll try to get through this as quickly as possible.”
“Sure thing.”
