Page 31 of Boys Who Hunt

“If you’re able to attend Spine Ridge, you don’t need the cash, right?”

The sudden shift in his tone doesn’t go unnoticed.

“I have a scholarship.” I get up from my seat.

“Silas found your hearing aid.” Even his face has darkened significantly.

Panic boils up to the surface, so I do the first thing I can think of: Run. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

I bail before he can say another word and lock myself in a stall in the women’s bathroom. I sit down and bury my face in my hands. I shouldn’t have come here with him, but my hungry ass was too enamored with the possibility that someone could want to buy me food to realize it might all just be a trick.

My phone buzzes, and I check my messages.

Neighbor: I need more. The kid is whining for food, and I don’t have enough in my pantry, and yours is empty.

I bought enough groceries to last us at least three days, so I don’t know where she put it all. But I can’t let Cora go without food either.

I sigh out loud.

Me: I’ll send some money so you can go buy something. Don’t worry.

Neighbor: Good, because this kid is eating the table right now.

Cora’s always putting her teeth into everything. The kid just likes sensory play. It’s nothing weird to me, but I guess my neighbor isn’t used to it.

I check my wallet. Empty. Of course.

Then I check my online bank account. Pennies.

Goddammit, this scholarship is never going to cut it. Most of the money goes straight to Spine Ridge U, and what’s left for me is not enough. Losing my job at the RIVERA club because of those fuckers really fucked with my income.

I need to make sure Cora’s taken care of, and for that to happen, I need money. Now.

I get out of the bathroom and look around to see if Max is still there, but he appears to have left his drink unattended. I glare at the men’s bathroom, and the door just closed shut.

He must’ve gone to the bathroom too. This is my shot.

I walk to where we were sitting, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible while the shop owner and all the other customers aren’t looking as I slip my hand down the pockets of Max’s jacket. I pull out a soft leather pouch and fish a couple of bills out, then tuck it back into his jacket. All within mere seconds.

I scoot back my chair and walk out the door with a racing heart, knowing full well I just robbed the only guy who was nice to me. But he’s part of their society, part of their friend group, part of the rich upper class. I don’t feel sorry. I need this money more than he does.

So I slip away before he realizes I’ve disappeared.

Max

When I returnfrom the bathroom, the chair she was sitting in is still empty.

“Oh, that’s odd,” I mutter to myself.

I keep my eyes fixated on the women’s bathroom, hoping to see her walk out too, but when I get back to the seats we had, I notice my wallet is hanging partially out of my jacket.

I fish it out and check the contents.

There are fewer bills than what I came here with.

“Oh no,” I murmur. “What have you done, Ivy?”

My phone buzzes, and I check the messages.