Page 88 of Disobedient Pawn

Then another startling thought decided to kick open the door in my mind. What the hell would I do if he was using this to introduce me to a new family? I had no proof of any other family, but it was the only thing I could think of that would keep him away from his only daughter for nearly a month without any contact. Even back home he would wander in a few nights a week to have a conversation, eat a meal and spend the night. It was never to help me with mum, but he’d still make the point to be around. Here… he’d become a ghost.

My palms began to sweat, and my knees bounced with every passing minute.

We pulled off the main highway and drove up to the large gates of what looked like a hotel. There was no way this was my new house. Was it? Leaning forward as Harry pulled up to the guard booth, I stared at the metal gates with a fancy C in the middle, and my stomach flipped as little light switches began to turn on. We were already on the move and through the closing gates with the armed guard when I decided it would be better to take my chances with the elements than eat a meal with my father’s boss.

Mr. Collier, aka Count Dick, was not someone that I wanted to see on Thanksgiving. I didn’t want to see him ever again, especially not on a holiday where I’m supposed to be thankful for the things I have and the people in my life. My father had been normal until he went to work for Mr. Collier. That was the start of it all going downhill.

If I ever found out that this man was the reason for what happened to my mum…I honestly didn’t know what I’d do. I couldn’t trust the Sheriff, but there had to be someone that would listen to me.

Harry pulled the car around the massive fountain in the center of the drive, the water had been shut off, and it looked as sad and lonely as I felt.

“Would you like me to open the door for you, Ms. Davies?”

I unclipped my seatbelt and opened the door.

“Thank you, but I’m fine. You don’t happen to have an invisibility cloak or something I could borrow?”

“I think you’re mistaking me for a different Harry,” he said and winked, making me smile. I liked Harry.

“Do you have a card in case I ever need to call for a ride?”

“Are we discussing a situation that may require a car your father doesn’t know about?” His bushy brows drew together over his eyes. I blushed. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a business card. “Only for emergencies. I can’t be getting fired for no good reason.”

I took the card from his hand and quickly tucked it into my coat pocket.

“Thank you, Harry.”

“I’ll be back later to pick you up.”

“Oh?”

I’d foolishly assumed I would sleep in town at my Dad’s house since I didn’t have to return to school until Monday.

“Yup, I have orders to be here for midnight. Are you sure you’re not from a fairytale? You won’t turn into a pumpkin in my backseat, will you?”

“I don’t think so, but there is always a first time.”

“So no Prince Charming?”

I gave him a small smile. “No, definitely none of those in my life. Not sure they exist of if they became extinct long ago.”

“They’re out there, you wait and see.”

I nodded, but wasn’t sure I believe him. Pushing open the door I stepped out into the cold air and stared up at the gigantic house. The home was as intimidating as the man I’d met. The doors were black and gold with the same golden C raised in the center of the metal. When I looked from one side to the other, the home stretched on for so long that the windows looked like tiny pinpricks by the end. All the lights were on. What a waste of electricity. All this place needed was blood-red roses crawling up the walls to fit any villain in a fantasy book.

“Who the hell needs this much space?”

The front door opened as my foot landed on the top step, and I froze as I stared into Nash’s cold blue eyes.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Princess. Welcome to my family home.”

NOVEMBER 24 – THURSDAY 2:51 PM

Ren

“Oh, hell no.”

I turned to march down the stairs, fully prepared to call Harry back. He couldn’t have gotten that far.