Page 23 of Moretti Captive
I nod my head. “We’ll be sure of it.”
Things settle down in the next few days. Harper gets released, and we bring her back home. Ava is struggling, but she tries to hide it from us. We can all see the vacant expression that takes over her face when she doesn’t think anyone is looking.
Vin found her a therapist to talk to, and she starts next week. Harper is already back to classes, even though the doctor told her to take at least two weeks off. Being so close to graduation, she didn’t want to chance not graduating on time. I can’t blame her, especially when I realized that most of the money we’ve been giving her for expenses has gone to her mother’s care. Idon’t even know how a college student was managing to pay for classes, an apartment, and medical care for an intensely mentally ill mother on top of everything else. No wonder she jumped at the idea of having free rent to the point she skipped right into the arms of kidnappers.
Harper seems to be doing fine mentally, though I find her giving Ava guilty looks every once in a while. They still get along well, though now there’s a tension between them that wasn’t there before. There’s nothing we can really do to change that. It’s just something they will have to come to terms with on their own.
Ava is standing in the entryway with a suitcase at her feet. “You sure you want to do this?” Vin asks her.
Ava nods. “Yeah. It’s only going to be for a week or two. I want to help Grandma and Grandpa with all of the arrangements.”
Vin nods. “Okay, if you need anything, feel free to call. I’ve talked to the school, so you’re excused for the rest of the month. Don’t forget about your appointment on Thursday.”
Ava smiles at him. “I won’t. See you soon.”
She gives him a hug before she comes over and gives one to me too. “You guys are acting like I’m leaving for war. I’ll be back before you know it.”
When she turns to Harper, she smiles at her before giving her a hug too. She says something to her, but I’m not close enough to hear her. Harper’s shoulders relax, and a smile turns up her lips.
“See you all later!” Ava calls out as she heads out through the door.
“Now what?” Vin asks, looking at both of us with a devilish smirk.
Harper holds her hands up. “Not today, Casanova. I’ve got an essay to finish, and it’s worth twenty percent of my grade, so back it up.”
Vin frowns but lets her pass to go back upstairs, though if he grabs her ass with his good hand, none of us say anything about it.
Vin turns to me once we’re alone. “Sooo… Rock, paper, scissors to decide who gets to marry her?”
My eyes narrow. “That is the most immature thing you have ever suggested. To leave her future up to a children’s game. I can’t even believe you suggested that… Two out of three, or three out of five?”
He grins, and we both hold up our fists. We really should have more supervision.
16.Harper
One Year Later
“Honeys, I’m home,” I shout as I walk through the front door.
Nic walks out of the kitchen and pouts at me. “You’ve been staying too late at work.”
I look at the clock. “It’s five-twenty. That’s a normal shift like everywhere.”
He huffs, taking my arm and leading me into the kitchen. “You’re fucking the boss. You can afford to slack off a bit.”
My eyes roll. “Have you seen the state of the Moretti family financials? If anything, I should be working a lot more. God, whoever was in charge of accounting before me needs to actually go back to elementary grade math.”
He grins guiltily. “Well, at least now we have you to make things run smoothly.”
He starts moving stuff around the kitchen. He’s got a big pot on the stove. I sniff the air. “Is that spaghetti?”
My mouth waters at the aroma.
He shrugs. “Yep. Wanted to make something special for tonight.”
My brows furrow. Is something special going on tonight? Did I miss something?
He puts his hands on his hips. “Have you really forgotten?” I keep staring at him, and he sighs. “It’s the anniversary of the day we met.”
