Page 6 of Between Control and Chaos
No plush carpet under my feet.
I try to take in every detail.
“Watch your step.” It’s the same male voice, the one I heard who abducted me.
The man from the bar.
Jayden.
What does he want with me? Does he work for Santino DeLuca or Dante?
He drags me down several stairs. Fourteen, to be exact, and then removes the bag from my head.
A single bulb illuminates the darkened cellar.
“Don’t scream,” he warns and removes the tape from my mouth.
I reach out to bite him, and he smacks me across the face.
Wincing, the burn stings, and he shoves me into a metal folding chair, my arms still bound behind my back.
“I was really hoping we didn’t have to do this the hard way, Harper.”
“Who do you work for?” I stare up at him, hatred in my eyes as I try to take in my surroundings. There’s one exit door, two egress windows. The windows aren’t the most easily accessible, but I could probably slide out of them if he leaves me alone. I’d just have to climb to reach them.
Already, I’m plotting my escape.
Jayden laughs and smiles down at me, not the least bit tense. “I don’t work for anyone. I’m here to help you.”
I snort at his offer of help. “You could start by taking off the restraints.”
He retrieves a pocketknife and gestures for me to turn around. Within seconds, he unbinds my hands. I pull them forward around myself and rub at my wrists, the pain searing from being too tight.
“I apologize for the theatrics, but we had to make it look like you were kidnapped.”
I huff and fold my arms across my chest. “You did kidnap me!” I shout at him, loud enough that if we’re not alone, someone else will hear me.
“I borrowed you,” Jayden says and smiles. “Harper McKenna.”
“It’s Harper Ricci,” I correct him. I’m not sure why I do; maybe I should have pretended that I wasn’t married. It’s not like I wear my wedding band at the bar. The tips are better when I leave it off.
A sly smile spreads across Jayden’s face. “I know. We did a background check on you, thoroughly vetted every detail of your life. You’re married to Luca Ricci. You also have a son, Zeke.”
I inhale sharply as I stare up at Jayden. It’s just the two of us. Perhaps I can convince him to let me go or overpower him.
“If you so much as lay a finger on my husband or my son?—”
“Relax,” Jayden is all smiles, which only infuriates me further, “I’m here to offer you help. You wanted out of the mafia, away from your father-in-law, Dante, is that correct?”
I stare at him, perplexed.
How could he know that?
At least, I had wanted help months ago. Even weeks ago, I’d have been happy to turn on Dante, but not now. Not after what happened with Santino.
I’d be putting Luca and myself in danger.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Mafia?” I ask, giving him a look of disbelief as I play dumb. “You’re the monster from what I can tell, abducting a woman from her job. You really should let me go before you spend the rest of your miserable life behind bars.”
