39. I Stink

Lilith

I made to the city and catching a bus was something I had done plenty of times. I was used to the way everything here worked. I could get to any point in the city blindfolded and, I was sure of that. The whole incident that had happened in the cab of the semi didn’t bother me. Maybe Rob had been right?

He said that Kali had been in control then and she had only killed poachers who deserved to die. But that was her. I had never killed anyone, but I guess that was not true now. I had killed the guy who I had taken a ride from. He had deserved it though. Maybe he was a serial murdered and I had just done the world a favor? But even if he wasn’t he was a predator, and I had put him down. I would not feel remorse over that.

I had done worse things in my short life than killing a man who preys on vulnerable women. “Dam we still smell from that truck; can’t you go get some clean clothes or something Lilith?” Kali said in my head. I sniffed my shirt, and it did smell rather rank. I had been sitting in that cab that was more a trash can than anything. I looked around to see where the bus was on the road, it was a few blocks away from so boutiques.

I knew they were there but had never been in them as I never had enough money to shop there. Juliet and I went to a plaza area mostly to shop and that was reasonable priced as far as brand-new things went. That or I went to a thrift store. There were always good finds there, but the bus was not around one currently. This was the nicer part of town. I exited at the stop, and walked toward what I knew would be very expensive clothing.

I looked at the first one, it was still early in the morning, and I could tell the shop was not open yet. “Crap, nothing will be open this early Kali.” I said to her. She paused and then responded. “You have a few sets of clothes at Robs house and I know you have a key.” I had cleared the stuff out of my locker at his gym as I was at the pack more than there, but Kali was right I did have a few things at his actual house. “For fucks sake Lilith move, you smell like shit.” Kali complained in my head. I rolled my eyes and waited for another bus. This ride would be longer as Rob’s house was in the unsavory part of town.

Which was better seeing as I would be going there to get my car. The next bus was easy to catch, and I got on. My phone started buzzing as I got up from my bus seat and exited. I looked at the caller ID “Eric”. I had expected him to call sooner or maybe even Noel would have called before him. I put the phone to my ear as I stepped onto the street. “Well, someone was tired this morning, I know you sleep in later than me, but this is late.” I said flirtatiously. I didn’t want anything heavy. I was sure my mate had things to discuss about the pack and Kali’s murders.

But I wanted to leave that shit in the past. I would just have to get over it. I couldn’t change anything that already had happened all I could do was have a fun day like I planned. “I got your text.” Eric said over the line. “Yeah, sorry I didn’t say goodbye or wake you up to tell you, but I just wanted to do something on my own. I am sure you know I don’t need a bodyguard.” he was quiet. “Are you mad at anyone here? Is that why you decided to blow everyone off and go off by yourself?” Did he really think I was mad at him?

“No, I am not mad at anyone.” I paused, I needed to make this clear, and then said. “I am not mad at you, Noel, or anyone in the pack, and I am not mad with myself, nor am I mad at my wolf. Everything is fine. I just had a long weekend and wanted to decompress alone; you know I have never blown off school?” I hoped he understood what I was saying. That I would not be wallowing on the actions of Kali or myself. I could hear Kali in my head cheering for the I had come around.

“Well, I think that is good.” Eric said and I let out a breath I was holding. If anything, the incident in the semi-truck had cleared a lot up for me. Amazing what a little death can do to a person I thought. Kali was now laughing in my head about the fact I seemed to be more like her than I thought. “Noel is going to be sad you didn’t take him, but then again you broke his nose and jaw yesterday.” I almost yelled through the phone “What?” Eric was laughing on the other side.

“Yeah, but anyways, I get the need for space. I wish you were here. I could use your help with some issues you know as you call them grumpy old men, but I get it. I am kind of jealous.” I smiled I liked that Eric was not demanding me back nor was giving me shit for taking off. “Just drive back safe.” He said. I didn’t tell him I was getting a car today. Did he think I had taken one from the garage? He was really going to be surprised when I pulled up in something new.

We hung up and I was standing in front of Robs’ faded yellow brick house. It was large and I knew no one would be home. It was early in the morning still and Rob would be at his gym. I shot him a text telling him I was getting clothes and that I would be by latter this afternoon and we would have more time together than I told him yesterday. He was happy about that. And told me I had free reign, and I smiled as I entered the place.

It was no mansion, but it was nicer than the home I grew up in. The place was neat and despite the outside looking rundown the inside was not. It probably had been a good idea keeping the front looking like the rest of the ghetto seeing as if it looked fancy from the outside you would have break ins. I went upstairs to one of the rooms Rob had for foster kids. This one had been mine when I lived here. But I came over often enough after I left that I had a small number of things here. A place to lay low should I ever need it.

I opened the closet, there was a dresser in there. The bottom draw had some of my things. I smiled. Knowing Rob would always have a drawer for me. I was thankful as I pulled out the few items I had. There was a black mini skirt that had shorts underneath and a red halter top that showed off my back and breasts well. Then there was my ripped up black jeans and various short tops and a one long sleeve. I grabbed the red top and jeans. I dressed getting rid of my sports bra as this shirt did not need it. I tossed my smelly clothes in the hamper in the laundry room.

I knew Rob would wash them with his clothes it was only three things, and he would put them back in my drawer once they were clean. He wouldn’t have a fit over it, with it not being a full load. When I lived here, I did my own laundry and sometimes his too. I knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t mind with it just being three items. The fridge was stocked with beer, but I found a soda in the back and grabbed it. Then I snagged one of the protein bars he kept in the cabinets. “Breakfast of Champions Right Kali?” She snorted in my head.

“Can we go get the fucking car now?” Kali said. “Yes, calm down.” I locked up behind myself. “It will take a while Kali, so don’t get worked up, okay I am excited too, and beside you said today was all about fun and a walk to the edge of the city sounds super fun.” She responded. “Okay all right.” I could tell she was not mad just excited. I began to walk the way to the garage. The place was on the edge of the city. Near where I took Eric the first night and had embarrassed myself.

The warehouses there provided a lot of room for storing expensive stolen goods. This city was full of them. There were always more rich people in the city than poor. It was why the pickings were so good when it came to crime, the rich lived well, and the poor learned to steal. It was a good system. The wealthy would by the stolen things from their neighbors and they had no idea. I loved the way it worked.

Finally, I reached the garage. It looked simple from the outside. Most people would have no idea the massive building behind this shop was full of the most expensive motorcycles and cars in the world. This is where you came if you wanted to drop big money, though not actually here. It would be someplace that looked like you were getting it from a respectable establishment. That is how they moved things, but I knew the truth and it was all stashed here.