I hold her to me, trying to calm my shaking body.
“Okay, sweet Aurora. Okay. Let’s go to bed, my baby. Come on.”
As I tuck her into bed, any qualms I might have had have vanished.
I need to get to that cash box. I need to get to it tonight.
Because tomorrow, it might just be too late.
24
Lia
It’s far too late—or too early—when I startle awake, cursing myself for having fallen asleep in the first place.
How the hell was I even able to close my eyes, with all the fear coursing through my body?
The long day at the diner made me so tired I succumbed to sleep, even though I was planning on staying awake for at least three hours, until I could be reasonably sure that Debbie was fast asleep.
It’s now nearly five, and she’ll be up in an hour.
Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!
Oh, well. I don’t have a choice. But I do need to put all the chances on my side.
Tearing myself away from the little girl who’s still sleeping soundly, I creep to the kitchenette and grab a large steak knife. Then I return to the couch, quickly pack what few belongings we have into a bag, get dressed, and pick up my sleeping girl.
It’s a little awkward to hold her in the same arm that’s also clutching the knife, but I don’t really have a choice, if I want to keep my other hand free to unhook Debbie’s necklace. I leave the bag in the living room, deciding to grab it on the way out, if everything goes to plan.
It’s a warm night, but I’m freezing as I enter Debbie’s bedroom, gritting my teeth to keep them from chattering. Grasping the knife so hard it feels like the handle will leave permanent indents against my fingers, I draw near the bed, then start fumbling with the clasp.
“Hmm… Wha… what are you doing?”
Fuck!
Debbie’s awoken abruptly, and she throws out a hand, trying to latch onto me. I step back hurriedly, holding the knife threateningly.
“Get up,” I growl. “Get the fuck up!”
Aurora stirs in my arms.Fuck!I can feel the whole plan slowly but surely fall apart as Debbie eyes the knife fearlessly.
“You were going to rob me?” she snarls. “Was that what you were going to do, you bitch? You’re trying torobme?”
“No,” I hiss out, as Aurora wakens with a whine. “You’re wrong.”
Her face relaxes just a touch before I add, “I’m not trying. Iamgoing to rob you. Now get up!”
“Mama,” whimpers Aurora, as I clutch her to me while waving the knife at Debbie. “What you doin’, mama?”
“Shh, baby, it’s alright,” I croon into her ear, before making my voice harsh as I direct it at Debbie. “Don’t make me say it again.”
“What are you going to do with that?” she taunts me, sitting up all the way. “I don’t believe for a second you’d use it.”
“Well, you believe wrong,” I say harshly. “Why do you think I was on the run, anyway?”
She blinks at me in confusion.
“My husband didn’t abuse me,” I lie wildly. “Ikilledhim!”
