Page 12 of Between Control and Chaos
Izzie’s eyes are wide, her bottom lip trembling. “I didn’t mean—I’m truly sorry.”
“If he ever comes near me again, I’ll see to it that you’re put behind bars along with him.”
She nods vigorously. “I swear on my life, I had no idea—he lied to me. Please, Harper, if you go to the police?—”
She’s scared I’ll have her arrested for what she did, for her role in it, because Jayden couldn’t have done it on his own.
“Give me your phone,” I say, holding out my hand.
She nods, pushing it into my palm. “Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
“I’ll keep your little secret, on one condition.”
“Anything,” Izzie rasps.
“What’s your passcode?”
She relays it to me, and I unlock the phone, climbing out of the car.
“Is that it?” she asks, relief flooding her features.
Hardly.
“No.” I lean into the car, glaring at her. “One day, when I come looking for you, I’ll expect you to do as you’re told, no questions asked. You owe me.”
Izzie nods and tugs her bottom lip between her teeth.
“And you won’t breathe a word of your debt to anyone, including your father.”
“I swear it.”
I slam the car door and head inside the resort, finding the lobby. There are several patrons hanging around, and I grab a seat in an oversized chair near the fireplace.
A few sets of eyes glance at me, and I can’t help but wonder how terrible I must look. I ignore all of them, sitting and dialing Luca.
“Harper?” his voice catches with worry.
“I kept Izzie’s phone,” I say matter of fact.
“Okay. Is she still there with you?” There’s concern laced in his voice.
“No.” I opt to keep her secret, even from Luca, for now. “Any idea how long until Moreno and Nico show up? The heat is on in this place, but I’m still chilly.”
“They’re twenty minutes out.”
“How’s Zeke?” I ask, glancing at the clock. I’ve been gone a couple of hours.
“He keeps asking for you. Nikki tucked him into bed already. I wanted to read him a story before bed, but I couldn’t…”
I keep my voice down, not wanting anyone to overhear my conversation with Luca. “It’s okay. Give him an extra kiss from me, would you?”
“You can give him one yourself when you get home.”
Exhaling a heavy sigh, I crack my neck. “Yeah. Listen, Jayden was completely foolish, snatching me from work, but his intentions weren’t evil.”
Luca scoffs. “Are you sure about that?” He doesn’t sound convinced.
“Anyone who lays a finger on my wife?—”
