Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos
202. Olivia - Shopping I

The thrift store Tyson and Rueben took me to is probably the biggest one I've seen so far. Before, when my life was still mine to do as I pleased, Camila and I used to spend hours browsing through different thrift stores. Sometimes, we would find hidden treasures, other times junk. Books were mostly the things I was looking at, while Camila preferred clothes.

Despite her father being a priest, their financial situation wasn't always the best. Her parents not only had to raise her and Rueben, but they also took Tyson and Ansel in, and one income was not always enough. Mrs. Carr couldn't work because of health problems, so she was a homemaker. I offered to pay for groceries many times, but she was too proud or maybe stubborn to accept any money from me. Perhaps I was stubborn too, because I bought clothes for Ansel, Tyson, and Rueben more times than I can remember. Not wanting them to know I was doing this for them, Camila lied, claiming she got a job, and used her money to pay for the stuff when, in reality, the money came from a trust fund my maternal grandparents set up for me. They were the only ones who cared for me, but they went missing shortly...after I lost everything.

Tyson and Rueben glance around the store, looking lost. Don't tell me they brought me here without having a plan. Do they even know anything about shopping? Ignoring the curious glances I was receiving,, I head over to the counter to ask the lady behind it for directions. Tyson and Rueben stop me before I can reach it.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing?” Tyson snarls in my ear.

"Asking for direction since it is obvious you are as lost as a kid at a fair," I point out the obvious.

Tyson sorts before saying, "Wait here."

While Tyson asks for directions and Rueben is busy checking out some asses or tits or whatever the fuck he is doing, I slip by unnoticed and go over to the books I noticed the moment I entered the store. I could try and run away, but I doubt I could get too far, considering I am only wearing an old pair of jeans once belonging to Mose that I had to adjust so they could fit me, a shirt, and an oversized jacket. Oh, and no shoes, just socks. If there were ever a definition of a homeless person, that would be me.

The book selection is not very large, but I spot a few titles I had never seen before. I pick up a fantasy book and I close my eyes as I smell the pages. A comforting feeling washes over me and, for a moment, I see myself sitting in front of a fireplace, reading, with a mug of hot cocoa next to me.

The book is ripped from my hands and my eyes pop open. I'm met with Rueben's angry gaze.

"What do you not understand when someone tells you 'wait here?"" He is so loud a few old ladies look at us.

A small basket with free sweets it's next to the books and I take one from it. This might get me in more trouble with Rueben, but I say to him, "Here, have a candy. You're always cranky when you're hungry." Rueben blinks but takes the candy from me and returns the book to me. At least he didn't make an even bigger scene. I put the book back and pick up another one. My breath catches in my throat.

*Midnight Affair by Tyson St. Clair.*

It can't be him.

Tyson is a common name, but St. Clair.... It can't be a coincidence.

"I didn't know Tyson wrote a book," I murmur.

Rueben pops the candy in his mouth. "He wrote quite a few, but now he has writer's block or something like that and hasn't written a word in weeks."

"Oh," I say and shove the book beneath others. "That's too bad."

I lose interest in the books and wait for Tyson to come to us. Rueben takes another candy from the basket. He always had a sweet tooth. Knowing that the sweets will come in handy sooner or later, I put as many as I can in the pockets of my

coat.

"First a killer, now a thief. Fitting," Rueben huffs.

"They are free, so it's not stealing. I'm only hoarding them," I say.

"They might be free, but one per person."

I notice another basket and I go to it. This might get me in so much trouble, but whatever. What else can Rueben do to me, kill me?

"You had two," I point out and give him a lemon sucker. It should keep him busy for a while. "Three with this one."

Fortunately, Rueben seems content to just enjoy the sucker and keeps his mouth closed. It makes me wonder when the last time he had sweets was. Sometimes, sugar is like magic to some people.

A box with vinyl albums is on the floor and I browse through them. It doesn't take long to find one with music I like. If only I had a record player.

"I see you still like jazz," Rueben observes.

I shrug and put the vinyl back in the box. It's not like I have money to buy it anyway.

Tyson finishes talking to the counter lady and comes to us.

"Clothes are in that direction," Tyson tells us.