Read Shattered Puppet (Rag Doll) for Free Online

to leave. Not yet. She had no clue why. In fact, her reaction was a surprise. She figured hearing he was leaving would be great news. No more finding him in her room, no more knocking at her door, no more lies, no more hostility…and yet something clawed her insides. Don’t go .
    Cree got in the car and pointed. “Two blocks up that way. There’s a lot to park in the back.”
    “You really want to do this?” He double checked. He still didn’t believe her.
    “I have nothing else going on.” She looked out the window.
    “You aren’t my biggest fan. What’s going on?” He quizzed.
    “I figured you could tell me more of your story. You owe me at least that…”
    “Oh. Yeah, I don’t want to talk about it. Do you want to tell me your story?” He responded.
    “No.” She got it. Both of them had secrets.
    “Maybe this isn’t a good idea.” He rubbed his temples, frustrated.
    “Whatever.” She got out of the car.
    “Wait.” He called her back. “Let’s go get a bite to eat.”
    Cree stared at Carter, thinking. Maybe he was right. There was no point. “I’m going to pass.”
    Carter got out of his car. “Cree?”
    She turned around. “What?”
    “Let’s go get some dinner.” He looked sincere enough.
    She shrugged. “Suit yourself.” She turned around and got back in his car.
    What was this push and pull? There was something pulling them together as much as pushing them apart.
    Carter drove the two blocks and pulled around the back of the diner. Getting out, he waited for Cree to join him. They walked in silence. She wondered if this was a mistake. She had nothing to say. She wasn’t even sure why she was here.
    “Do you ever want more?” She asked.
    “More what?”
    “More out of life…” she trailed off.
    “More is what got me in trouble.” Wasn’t that the truth? His greed is what got him here.
    The couple was seated at a corner booth. Ordering a couple of drinks, they perused the menu. Cree got a BLT wrap with fries and Carter ordered a burger slathered with barbecue sauce and onion straws. Sitting picking at the food, the conversation barely moved.
    Carter cleared his throat. “Why did you want dinner?”
    “I don’t know.” She truly didn’t know.
    “Was it about the food or talking to me?” Carter was curious. It was an odd turnaround from the last few days.
    “I can afford to pay for my own food.” She sniped at him, offended.
    “I didn’t mean it that way. Then it’s not about the food. You’re not exactly my biggest fan. Why did you want to talk to me?”
    “Why not?” She shrugged.
    “I’ve been rude, in your business, and an ass. Are they the qualities you’re looking for in a friend?”
    “What are friends…” she trailed off.
    “ Don’t have many these days?”
    “Few and far between.” Why was she even talking to him? It’s none of his business.
    “You ’re obviously friendly with Crystal. You wouldn’t give up her information.”
    “And I still won’t,” she warned.
    “Fair enough.”
    Cree looked into Carter’s eyes. “I saw myself in your eyes,” she admitted. “The desperation was your truth. I guess it just comforted me that I wasn’t alone.”
    “In being desperate?” He quizzed.
    “I feel alone so much anymore, even surrounded by people. I used to like being alone. It was easier. Only now, sometimes I’m lonely.” It was a hard thing to accept. She never needed anyone, and having her sister was enough. Trust was a big piece of the puzzle, but she was weary and worn down. Something told her that she couldn’t do this forever. Selling herself… it couldn’t be the only way. She watched so many girls get ruined, fall into drugs with bad people, and with a glimmer of the past in her eyes she remembered wanting more.
    Carter nodded in understanding. He met her eyes. Their gaze smoldered. Cree looked down at her food and picked it apart.
    “My family is part of a money laundering scheme. We pass drug money through different