Page 5 of Stolen Tutor

“And I should tell him you’re my dad. That way, I’ll be extra protected.”

“No. Don’t do that,” he hollers. I nearly drop the phone on the bed and look to my door, wondering if someone could hear him even though he’s halfway across the country. Thankfully, I closed the door after the director left, and only my eardrums were blown out. “Lucy, I’m sorry. It’s just that I want him to slip up. He doesn’t know that and if he does, he won’t misbehave.”

My hands are shaking at the sudden turn of events. Is he honestly saying that Anna’s uncle is evil and I’m supposed to play it cool? “I don’t know.”

“Don’t you want to protect Anna?” Fucking guilt trip me; why doesn’t he?

“Yes, I do,” I answer after a breath.

“Then this will be perfect.”

“What does her uncle do?”

“That’s not something I’m clear on. He supposedly has legal businesses, but we know he deals in the underworld, a mafia boss.”

“Great,” I mutter, feeling my head spin and stomach in my throat.

“Just remember to tutor Anna and then get dirt. When you leave, hand it over, and you’ll never have to see him again. He’ll be arrested before Anna even gets back to the school.”

“You make it sound easy, but I know it’s not that simple.” It’s not like the movies or television shows, wrapping up the case in an hour and stuff. He’ll be going through years of litigation with a chance to end me at any given time by one of many of his associates.

“We can say we got the information from someone else.” I roll my eyes because it will not work, but I can’t just not go after I agreed, especially if he is a mobster.

“Fine. I’m just there for Anna. If I find anything that makes him unworthy of carrying for her, then I’ll do what I can to take care of her.”

“That’s good. Can’t wait to see you, sweetheart.” I want to believe it.

It feels wonderful to have my father care finally. After all this time, I wonder if we’ll be close. A part of me doubts it; still, I have hopes of having a family life one day. “Same, Dad.”

****

My entire body shakes as I exit the plane. If matters weren’t bad enough, my period had to come yesterday, so I feel exhausted, hungry, and hormonal. How am I supposed to deal with a fucking dangerous man so evil he’d kill his own family? I should turn on my heel and call the director and tell him I just can’t do this, but I don’t.

When I look ahead, I know I’m too late. There’s a tall, well-dressed man standing at the baggage carrousel who stares at me intimidatingly. Is he Mr. Leone?

“Ms. Masters, come with me now.”

“Excuse me, but who are you?”

“I am your ride to the Leone Estate.”

“Oh. I thought you were Mr. Leone.”

“No. Mr. Leone does not have time to pick up the help. Move it. I do not have time to waste either.”

“Where is Anna?”

“That is not your concern.”

“Um. Yes, it is. Anna’s the only reason I came here.”

“She is already with her uncle. Now, move along. Mr. Leone doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” I roll my eyes and follow the driver to the vehicle, sliding into the backseat of the waiting vehicle. “Buckle up and be quiet. I have a call to make.”

I do my best to be quiet and sit back in my seat, trying to relax as I wait to me the devil.

“Are you hungry?” he asks.

“No,” I lie.

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