Page 4 of Moretti Captive
“Why are you here?” Ava questions looking between Harper and me.
Harper glances at me. When I don’t answer, she shrugs. “Your dad is kidnapping me. Think he’s more of a black-market organ-seller or a basement sex-slave kind of guy?”
Ava laughs, “Oh God! That’s so funny! Is she your new girlfriend?”
Pretty sure Harper was serious about that question. Ava knows about the family since one day she will be the one taking over for me. I’m honestly surprised that she didn’t believe what Harper said. She has always pushed me to start dating so maybe it’s just a bit of wishful thinking.
“No,” I grit out, side-eyeing the hell out of Harper, now hunched like she’s protecting her organs.
“Sure, Dad,” Ava smirks.
I grit my teeth as we pull up to the office. Nic is waiting, brows pinched, hands in his pockets. He hesitates before getting in the back with Ava.
It’s awkward as we drive quietly home. He knows that something is going on, but doesn’t want to say anything in front of Ava. He tries to shelter her as much as possible. Somethingabout letting her be a kid as long as she can, since I’d never gotten the opportunity to just be a kid.
When we turn down the drive, Harper’s face is practically pressed to the window, staring at the brownstone. I can’t see it the way she does. All I see is a mausoleum for the family sins that have lived here for generations before we were even born. This is where our family plotted to kill our cousin. Where they tarnished our name and burned bridges that we’ll have to fight, tooth and nail, to rebuild.
I look at Ava in the mirror once I park in front of the door. “Go start your homework.”
She frowns. “You’re acting weird. I might actually start to believe you’re kidnaping her.”
“Now please, Ava.”
She sighs and heads inside.
Nic immediately demands, “What happened?”
I glance at Harper. “I found your driver.”
Nic’s eyes flick to her. “Yes, I can see that. Why is she here? And with you?”
Before I can answer, Harper jumps in. “I thought he was you, took him to get Ava, then he pulled a gun and told me I could live with him rent-free.”
I frown.Why is she stuck on the rent thing?
“I kidnapped you,” I clarify.
“You what?” Nic snaps.
“Same thing.” Harper waves her hand dismissively.
I bang my head against the wheel.
“Why would you kidnap a random girl?” Nic demands.
“She told me to get in the car, said she knew where Ava went to school. I thought she was going to hurt her.”
Nic sighs. “What are you going to do with her?”
I look at Harper, who’s soaking all this in. “We’ll figure it out later. For now, take her inside and lock her in a spare room.”
Harper sits up her face finally showing the emotions appropriate for this situation. “I have work tonight.”
“You’re kidnapped. You. Don’t. Get. To. Leave.” I say it slowly, so maybe she’ll finally start to understand.
Her mouth drops, before she speaks, “I need to work, I can’t pay for school and everything else otherwise. I like the whole free rent thing, but I have to finish school, and I have responsibilities I need to pay for.”
I sigh. “Now you’re getting the idea. Welcome to being a captive.”
