Page 86 of Penny For Your Thoughts
“Whatever,” mumbled the whiny brat. “Maybe fuck quieter next time. I’m scarred for life now.”
How had I forgotten that Diem adopted a surly teenager and brought him home like a lost puppy the previous night? It all came back to me.
“I guess he didn’t run off. Too bad.”
“He’s got nowhere to go, and we need him.”
“Needis subjective. In fact—” I had a hundred arguments and might have voiced two or ten, but the alarm decided to scream its wake-up call, interrupting me. “Goddammit. I’m still tired.”
Groaning, I buried my face against Diem’s chest. “Make it stop. I don’t want to go to work. Can I call in sick?”
Diem reached for my phone, silencing the noise. “It’s Friday.”
“Are you going to have fun without me?”
“No. I need you for what I have planned, but we can wait until you’re done for the day.”
Diem explained what he and Darcy talked about the previous night and how he intended to lure this Luke fellow into the open.
“I’ll get Darcy to drop the envelope wherever the guy requests and leave. You and I can stay nearby and wait for Luke to show. We won’t intervene right away. I’d rather follow him and see what we can learn. With luck, he won’t open the envelope immediately.”
“When he discovers it’s empty, he’ll know he’s been set up.”
“That’s why I want to wait until you’re off work. If he senses trouble, he’ll be alert to a tail. We can tag team him. Two vehicles. Take turns following. He’ll be less likely to pick us out that way.”
“You’re putting Darcy in danger. This Luke guy will hunt him down. He knows where the kid lives.”
“Darcy isn’t going home.”
I lifted my head, resting my chin on Diem’s chest as I peered skeptically at my boyfriend. “He’s not staying here.”
“Yes, he is.”
“D—”
“For now. We’ll figure something out after.” I wanted to object, but Darcy shouted from the living room again.
“Oh my god. You have a snake. That’s totally sick. Can I take it out and hold it? How big is it? Is it a python? This is so cool.”
“Don’t touch her,” I hollered, scrambling to get up.
Diem held me down, laughing.
“I will fucking kill you if you let that snake out, you brat. Do you hear me? Diem, stop laughing. Let go of me.” I smacked his shoulder, but he wouldn’t let go.
Echo barked and thought it was playtime, hopping around on the bed.
Darcy yelled again, “Your boyfriend is psycho.”
Diem and I replied simultaneously. “I know.”
I sneered at my captor. It had no effect. “He was talking about you. I’m not the one who owns a snake,” I retorted.
Diem cradled my cheek and brushed his thumb over my jaw. “You should get in a shower, or you’re going to be late for work.”
“Fine. Deal with him, and for the record, I thought we agreed we weren’t having children.”
“The boy is temporary.”
