Page 5 of Moretti Captive
Nic mutters, “We can’t let her flunk out. This was a misunderstanding. She shouldn’t suffer for YOUR mistake.”
I look out the window as the town car pulls into the wide driveway beside us. I don’t have time for this. “Fine. You want her in school, you babysit her. But she doesn’t go to work.”
Nic clenches his jaw. “Fine. I will but don’t complain when my work responsibilities aren’t being met.”
Well, that’s not going to be good. He runs all of our legit businesses. I expected him to turn down the babysitting because of his job. He must be big mad if he’s putting off everything else to lessen the damage done to her life.
Harper snaps before I get an opportunity to say anything to my brother, “How am I supposed to pay tuition and other bills if I can’t work?”
I tilt my head back, exhaling. “Get Nic your expenses. We’ll cover them until this is sorted.” It’s my fault she’s here anyway. Guess I should take a hint from my brother and accept the responsibility of my actions.
Her eyes blaze. “I’m not a charity case. I liked the whole free rent thing, but I don’t need your money.”
I growl, “Yes, you do, because you’re not working. Non-negotiable. Get inside.”
Nic’s door slams. She looks at me, then follows him, closing her door softly behind her. I slide out of her car and into the back of the town car. Glancing back at the house, I don’t see any sign of Nic or my new ward.
3.Harper
“So, you’re Niccolò?” I ask, looking up at the kinder of the twins as he leads me through a giant house, I have no hope of navigating on my own. “Who does that make your brother?” I should probably know the name of the men who are now in control of my life.
Nic sighs. “That’s Vincenzo, call him Vin though. It may not seem like it now, but he’s a pretty good guy.”
I don’t answer. I have no knowledge of them or their situation to form my own opinion, but being kidnapped is kind of a red flag. At first, the relief of not having to go back to my shitty apartment blinded me to the danger I’m in. I’ve never been kidnapped, and since there was no white van or offer of candy, it hadn’t matched my expectations of what it would be like. Now, I’m realizing that a man is in control of my life, and men can’t be trusted.
“So, you’re a student. What’s your major?” Nic asks as he starts up a wide staircase.
I glance around while answering him distractedly, “Accounting. I thought it would pay the bills, plus some.”
He just nods along to my answer like we’re just getting to know each other. He and his brother are identical, but their expressions and mannerisms are most definitely not. Going off his profile photo, there’s no wonder I mistook the two, but if I had spent even a minute with them, I would have known right away.
“How long do you have left?” He asks.
“Just this semester.” I haven't really thought about how close I am to graduation.
He stops in front of a door at the very end of the hallway. I can hear the distant sounds of pop music starting up somewhere on the first floor, must be Ava. He pushes the door open to a bedroom at least three times the size of my studio apartment, but I don’t go in right away.
“You can stay in this room while you’re here. My room is right next door. We will get this all figured out. I promise my brother isn’t a bad person.”
My smile is wan and mostly forced. “I don’t think I can believe that a man who puts bodies in vats of acid is a good guy.”
His mouth drops at that. “He told you that?… That idiota,?1 no wonder he decided that he needed to kidnap you.”
A sarcastic “Mhmm,” is my only response to that.
He stays in the hallway as I step into the room to look around. It’s a neutral room, decorated in soft creams and muted blues, obviously meant for a guest. I guess it’s better than a cell in the basement. “Okay. You go ahead and get settled, I’ll figure out your belongings and everything. Maybe take a nap or something. I’ll bring you some dinner when it’s done.” His lips roll in, and his brow furrows as he looks down.
He steps out of the doorway and softly swings the door closed. The last glimpse I get of him before the door closes, I swear he looks guilty. I’m confused for a moment before I hear the distinct click of a lock engaging. Inspecting the door closer,I realize there’s no lock on the inside of the room. He’s locked me in this room, just like his brother told him to. Which means I can’t get out, but they can get in whenever they want.
I should be furious, but I can’t bring myself to react. All I feel is exhausted as I walk over to the bed and flop down. I sink into the mattress and groan in appreciation. The mattress my apartment came pre-furnished with is old and worn, and more than one spring stabs me in the spine while I sleep. Plus, the cheap mattress protector I bought for it is like laying on a lumpy pillow covered with a trash bag.
This is like laying on a cloud.
I wasn’t even trying to take a nap. But the next thing my mind registers is being shaken awake.
Nic is standing over me, holding a plate piled with food. He places the plate on a vanity in the corner I hadn’t even noticed in the room until now.
“I’ve got dinner for you.”
