Read Exposed for Free Online Page B

was expected to work like you are.”
    The smile at June’s lips froze, and she was sure her brown eyes turned stony as Mrs. Sharpe walked away. 
    Fifty dollars. That’s what Mrs. Sharpe was withdrawing, and all for Evie Sharpe’s new wardrobe for the upcoming fall season. She was fairly sure Mr. Sharpe hadn’t sold the family car to pay for his wife’s spending. Not for the first time that afternoon, June’s eyes wandered to the round vault door at the back of the bank.
    You could take some money. Who would know?
    It was shiny steel, with a huge, cumbersome wheel to unlock it. Edith wore the key hanging around her neck. But June didn’t need to worry about locks anymore, not with this new power. The sudden thought startled June and made her stomach writhe with unease. But she couldn’t shake the thought. How easy it would be to walk right through that steel door and slip some money into her pocketbook. Heaven knew families like the Sharpes had enough to spare. They’d probably not even miss it.
    Take the money.
    She could afford a new wardrobe of her own with just half of Evie Sharpe’s budget. Didn’t she deserve it? Or she could help pay for her mother’s ridiculous Fourth of July party—she’d seen the quote from the gardeners her mother was thinking of hiring. It was nearly four months of her salary. But if June was able to just give them the money then maybe she’d actually save money instead of handing everything over to her family. Then maybe she’d actually see beyond Desolation and Jubilation. There were oceans out there somewhere and cities to get lost in. 
    Not that Mother cared about such things or would understand June’s longing. All she seemed to care for were cocktail parties with the Briggs family and setting June up with an eligible—and rich—man.
    “Miss!”
    June startled and dragged her gaze away from the vault.
    Ms. Mary Stewart stood on the other side of the counter, her sparse eyebrows winged upward in annoyance and her small eyes narrowed. She banged her cane against the marble counter top.
    “Ah, now I’ve got your attention!”
    Yes, and the rest of the bank as well. Edith’s sharp eyes found June from across the room, and she stalked closer, the vault key on the chain around her neck bouncing against her bony chest.
    “Do you need help, Mary?”
    Mary turned to Edith, but not before glaring down her nose at June. “I have to wonder, Edith, what they were thinking hiring a silly girl to be handling my money and jewels.”
    June’s cheeks flared red, and she ducked her head to hide the heat in her face. She had done well in school, even had the grades for college if her mother would have approved it. Humiliation and anger jolted through her, until the tips of her fingers felt electric and she pictured herself reaching over the counter and slapping the woman. 
    Instead, she apologized to Ms. Stewart and flattered her endlessly until the old woman’s transaction was complete.
    But that heat didn’t leave with her. It coursed through her and scored at her bones until she felt consumed by it. Without thinking, June passed her hand through the wood drawer under the counter top. It was effortless. She did it again. And again. All while her eyes remained trained on the vault.
    “June,” Clayton said, pulling her attention away from the vault. “A word?”
    Fear spiked through her. Had she been caught? Had Clayton somehow known the dark thoughts taking root in her mind. But beneath the fear was something else: pain. 
    June flexed her fingers and grimaced. Her knuckles smarted, and her skin felt tender when she gently prodded the back of her hand. The pain drove away all thoughts of the vault and left behind a very uncomfortable realization of what she’d been entertaining. It sat heavy in the pit of her stomach. 
    Had she really considered stealing from her employer? Not just her employer, but Clayton, her friend?
     
    “So,” he started, leaning over her counter and