2. Miss Harper

The car was quiet.

Kyla's arms were folded, face red as she couldn’t stop thinking about what he had said earlier.

Was her life truly in danger?

Why did her father choose and trust him, of all people, to take care of her?

Mr. Redd was making calls, speaking a language that sounds Italian. Was that where he’d come from?

Even though she’d hate to admit it, he was breathtaking. Like one of those hot, sexy men she’d read about in novels. Ones that made her squeal sheepishly on her bed almost every night.

His raven-black hair was a kind you’d crave to run a hand over and play with. Longer than usual. Well-defined jaw line that gave him a predatory appeal.

'No Kyla.'

'Don’t look at him that way.'

'He was a man who kidnapped you, claiming it was a wish from your father.'

“Answer these once you are done staring.”

Kyla’s face caught fire. She cleared her throat, wishing she could sink lower in the car seat.

“I wasn’t staring.”

Without looking, he shook the file in front of her face. His other hand was busy on his phone.

Sighing, she took the paper, expecting a list of people who suddenly want her dead, instructions for her assassination, secret codes from her father’s past, a treasure map… or maybe a heist plan.

But it was none of that.

There were surprisingly simple questions about her. Questions like her hobbies, likes, allergies, favorite colors, and so many more.

“Mr. Redd, you’re such a nice man. Dragging me in here and suddenly wants to know all about me.”

“Just answer the questions, Wildling.”

“Don’t call me that, Mr. Illegal.”

“The name is Carlos Redd,” he said, finally looking at her. “Do you talk this much?”

“Get used to and ready to be tormented with it if you won’t take me back,” she said. “Why do I have to move to the city?”

“So, I can keep my eyes on you. You can always come back here to visit, only with my permission.”

She sat back with a huff, set the file in the middle, and dragged a hand through her hair. Today had already felt exhausting, going back and forth with someone as annoying as him.

She can’t believe she was suddenly forced to leave her quiet life here in the countryside of New York.

Kyla had been in the city a few times, but never liked the chaotic environment. She preferred life with quiet air, trees, and animals.

The rest of the drive was silent. Kyla kept herself busy with games, occasionally glancing at the tall, fancy buildings that seemed to reach the sky as they rolled by outside the window.

After four hours, the car finally rolled past the open iron gates in a deliberate movement.

The house was sleek, sculptured like one of those she’d seen in magazines. Two stories high, vast, not intimidating but elegant. Tall polished windows kissed by the afternoon sunlight. A fountain sat at the center of the driveway. The garden bloomed with beautiful flowers.

The interior was unmistakably beautiful, well-arranged, and neat as if untouched. Screaming wealth.

How did her father know someone like him?

“Is this to your liking?” Carlos asked behind, hands tucked in his pocket.

“To my liking?”

“There are others,” he muttered flatly.

Others? How many houses does he have?

“I figured out you’d prefer something this simple,” he added.

“It’s fine,” she shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter. I won’t be here for long.”

He ignored her words and pushed his glasses up. “The staff will bring you food. Eat, and rest.” He said.

Then, he ordered the driver to take her to her room before striding away.

~~~~

“You’re in the city?!” Chelsea exclaimed on the other side of the phone.

“Yup,” Kyla rolled to the other side of her bed. “It’s been three days. I'm still trying to adapt.”

“That is awesome. Why are you just telling me this now? Could have come over and taken you around.”

Kyla sighed. “Never mind, Chelsea. I won’t be staying long.”

“Why not? The city is fun. Forget all that your father said about here. Yeah, it might be sometimes dangerous, but it’s extremely fun too. I missed you, Kyla. We should meet. Besides, you need to cheer up.”

Chelsea was Kyla’s cousin, who moved to the city last year. She’d begged Kyla to come with her, but Kyla was adamant about staying and soon realized how much she missed Chelsea.

“So, is this mysterious friend of your father treating you well?”

“I haven’t seen him in the last three days. But from what I can tell… He is grumpy. Too commanding. You should see the way he shoved me into his car,” Kyla gritted as she recalled.

“Hot. Sounds like one of those possessive mafia shit.”

“No, it’s not,” her face squeezed with distaste.

“Listen. I’m pretty sure your dad made this decision for a reason. You’ll be fine.”

“I’m not staying.”

“Quit being stubborn. Jayden will be thrilled to hear you’re here.”

A shadow fell over Kyla’s face at the mention of the name. Hesitant, she said. “I haven’t… spoken with him in a month,” her second hand fidgeted with the hem of her dress. “Even after my father died, he never called or texted. Never visit.”

“Are you in a fight with him?”

Kyla exhaled. “He barely contacts me ever since he left for the city. He’s fading off each day, Chelsea, and… I don’t know what to do.”

That was one of the many reasons she hated the city. The environment changes people. Make them forget where they came from. Forget those they care for as they sink into the chaotic life.

Noting the tension, Chelsea changed the topic and told her about the club she works for and the wildlife in it.

After an hour, the call ended. Kyla was once again surrounded by the four walls of loneliness.

“Why did he bring me here if he was going to disappear?” She swung her legs off the bed, deciding to have a snack downstairs. “So much for a guardian, huh?”

A pair of ice blue eyes met hers as she swung the door open. Carlos stood at the threshold, one hand mid-air as if he was about to knock.

He was in a grey suit, with his hair gelled backward. His silver earrings shimmered under the dim light.

“Oh, look who is here.” She folded her arms, trying to sound neutral. “You are doing a great job keeping me company, Mr. Illegal.”

He put his hands back in his pockets. “You hated my company three days ago. Hated it so much, you decided not to respond to my text or calls.”

“I do not want to have anything to do with you.”

He threw his head backward with a sigh, then took a step into the room. Then another.

And another.

Eyes piercing through her.

Kyla instinctively stepped back, her heart hammering in her rib cage. “What are you doing?”

“You don’t listen, do you?” he said. His voice ran deeply low. The kind that would make the back of your hair stand and make you obey without realizing.

Kyla's back touched the wall.

"Don't come any closer," she warned, but her voice didn't sound as fierce as she wanted.

Carlos stopped in front of her. Enough for her to feel the heat radiating off his suit.

Her breath hitched.

“You think ignoring me will change the fact that you’re here? That you’re under my care?”

"I didn’t ask for this."

“It doesn’t matter what you want. Your father trusted me, and I don’t break promises.”

“Then transfer custody,” she snapped. “You have connections, don’t you? Lawyers, money, whatever you are, just sign the papers and let me go back to my life.”

"You really think it’s that simple?" Carlos leaned, one hand above her, the other in his pocket. "You're not here because of the law. You're here because of danger.”

“Danger from whom?”

“That,” he said, “is something you’ll know when you’re ready. For now… eat, live your life, I won't interfere. Just stay where I can see you and always respond to my texts and calls.”

"So I’m a bird in a golden cage?” Kyla let out a bitter laugh. "I don't need you, Mr. Redd. I'm going to leave, whether you like it or not, even if you tie me to the bed."

The words spilled out before she could stop herself.

Well, you'd say anything when a hot devil in a suit has you trapped between his super annoying charm and a dresser.

"Should I?" He raised a brow.

"Should you what?"

"Tie you to the fucking bed, Miss Harper."