Captive Temptations

This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.•RIPLEY•Being the only daughter of Kinley and Gianni Esposito had been tough.My father was a strict man, and although he raised both my brother and me with a strict set of rules, I always felt as if I got it a little worse.When I took the job with Captain Hilton, all hell broke loose."This job will end badly for you." My father had told me.But, of course, I didn't listen.I thought I could do it, I thought I could go undercover as an informant and get the information needed on the bad guys.What I didn't realize was that these people were not small fry.They were as bad as my father had been, some were worse.It's what started it all, really. My undoing.I sat in my tight, t

•RIPLEY• "Why does he hate me so much?" Sloan asked as her eyes fell on my father. I sighed, Sloan was my brother Renato's girlfriend. She also just so happened to be the daughter of Noah O'Clery, one of my father's many enemies. "I don't know. As far as I can tell, he has no issues with your uncle." My parents had told me the story of how Fin O'Clery helped them. It was always a little strange to me how my father was okay with Fin, but hated the idea of Renato being with Sloan because of her family. I watched my father talking to Bobby over by the pool and I couldn't help but feel resentment bubble up within me. How could he not sense that Bobby was no good? If he would just do some digging, he would find out. A part of me wished he would, that way I wouldn't be at fault. But I couldn't be the one to tell them anything. Bobby would ruin my father if I did. And with his health all up and down, that was not a risk I wanted to take. "Are you okay?" Sloan asked me suddenly, "Ye

•FIN• King walked into my office while I was staring out over the tall buildings. "You're in luck. Robert Jenkins, otherwise known as Bob. He's a businessman who is both well respected and feared amongst his peers. There's also been a few run-ins with the FBI in the past, drugs. But we could never nail him. We also have reason to believe that he has some pretty big names who have partnered in his company to make it look legit, again, no proof." He dropped the file on my desk. "Do I have the case?" "I thought you wanted to retire soon?" King asked with a smirk. "I do. But I want this case first." "Why? Why are you so hell-bent on this? Is it because she's Kinley's daughter?" I nodded, "Yeah. You know I care about Kinley, we bonded over all that shit with Gianni. How can I claim to care about them if I don't do something to help their daughter?" King sighed, "Fin, you're a damn good agent. I don't want to see you screw it all up over this girl. She isn't squeaky clean herself. Sh

•FIN• I was back home, but my mind was with Ripley. Although Robert welcomed me into his little operation with open arms, I still felt as if I lost. There was a knock on the door and when I opened it, I found King frowning at me. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked as he walked in. "Where is my report?" I motioned toward my table, "I'm still busy with it." That was the truth, I began my report but my mind kept straying to Ripley so I had been distracted. "Well, was it successful?" "Yes. Robert fell for it, and I'm in. I'm having a meeting with him tonight." King nodded, "Let me know if you need anything and I will get it done," he hesitated, "How is Ripley?" I shrugged, "She's... Ripley." I tried to play it down in an attempt to hide my true feelings on the matter. "Listen, Fin, did you know that Ripley was originally working for the cops? That's how this whole thing started with her downward spiral." "Hilton?" King nodded, "It looks like it. But don't go doing

•FIN• I glanced around the yard, trying to find Ripley but I hadn't seen her or Sloan here yet. Gianni was speaking to Kin near the pool, Renato was here, and so were Luca and his family. Kinley was speaking to Luca's wife, whose name I could never remember. Upon our arrival I mingled a bit before getting a drink, hoping I would see my niece and Ripley arriving. Getting agitated, I pulled my phone out and sent Sloan a text asking where she was. I didn't particularly like that she was going to pick Ripley up given that she would probably have to see Bobby. Glancing at the time on the phone I realized that I still needed to go and meet with Bobby later that night. Sloan walked in a few minutes later with Ripley and I could immediately tell that Ripley was on something. I watched as her parent's faces lit up with joy at their daughter's presence and Ripley held onto them in tight hugs with a bright smile of her own. I was in awe at how beautiful she looked when she smiled, her f