Damaged Read Online Free Page B

street, taking note of vehicles and people who looked familiar, but everything seemed to be clear. It didn’t take long to zero in on her first target, a group of young men making their way to a bar. It was obvious that they had started the party earlier in the evening, judging by the way they swayed when walking. One of them even had his wallet sticking out of the top of his back pocket slightly. It was almost too damn easy. Monica passed by, made her grab, and shoved the leather bundle into her pocket. They were none the wiser.
    Quick to leave the area, Monica turned onto the next block, keeping her head down and her ears open. The opportunities were minimal, making a hint of desperation begin to claw at her mind. She had to fight it off. Desperation would only lead to a slip-up.
    She had all but given up hope of success when she emerged from the space between buildings to find a man in jeans and a suit coat bending into the trunk of his car. He looked pretty focused on wh atever he was searching for, but Monica took note of the laptop bag leaning against the back tire. It was black leather, marked with the gold emblem of a high-end designer on the flap. It would get her at least five hundred at pawn, and she wanted it. Badly.
    Waiting until her mark ducked into the trunk once more, Monica moved swiftly and silently, stepping from the curb to slip her arm through the strap effortlessly. Once it was secured, her heart pounded in her rib cage so hard it was almost painful. She needed to move fast. As quick as her legs could carry her, she slipped into the comforting darkness of the narrow alley, stopping just inside to slump back against the damp brick to try to catch her breath. Clutching the bag to her chest, she closed her eyes and regained her composure. She’d never stolen anything of such value before. It was a little overwhelming, and guilt sat like a lead weight in her gut, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it. She needed to get moving.
    She should have heard it coming.
    She should have heard the footsteps.
    She never should have stopped to begin with. But she had, and by the time the massive shadow of a man blocked out the glow of the nearby street light unexpectedly, Monica didn’t even have a chance to react. A hand clamped down over her mouth, and his heavy form crushed her firmly to the wall behind her. Her eyes went wide as terror ripped through her body. Not again, oh God, not again !! Helpless against his strength, tears welled in her eyes, stinging bitterly. This was karma. It had to be. She’d stolen, broken the law, and now her luck had officially run out. Two nights in a row was more than a sign, it was a warning siren blaring in her head. And then it hit her, shocking her with a jolt, making her go still.
    The cologne.
    It was him, the mystery man from the night before. Oddly, a sense of relief washed over her. Why, she had no idea, because that meant that he had her figured out. That meant he’d probably been following her and watching her for a while. Her stomach turned and her throat tightened with the threat of getting sick.
    “I’ll move my ha nd if you promise not to scream,” he ordered, his voice low, demanding.
    Right. Like she was going to scream while she stood there holding his stolen belongings. Staring up at his shadowed face, she nodded slightly. He nodded in turn before pulling his hand away from her mouth slowly. Monica sucked precious oxygen into her lungs, thankful to have the barrier removed.
    “I—I’m sorry,” she whispered hoarsely. “Please let me go.”
    The man shook his head slowly, maintaining his hold on her upper arms. “Last time I trusted you, you made me look like a fool. Not happening this time, sweetheart.”
    She had nothing to say to that. She was a moron if she thought she was going to luck out twice.
    Monica swallowed. Her mouth was so dry , she was dizzy with fear. “I won’t run. I promise.” It was worth a shot anyway.
    Lips that were made for