Chapter 13
Thirteen
Harper
Nova comforts Zeke, taking him out of the room while I wait for Ashton to explain what the hell is going on.
He and Luca have been working for Dante for months, keeping secrets, as they always do.
I’ve let it slide, since the danger seemed to have passed after the last time I was at the Ricci home.
But finding out that a man with a snake tattoo on his neck showed up and tried picking my son up from daycare…
When he wouldn’t give his name or show any identification, they called campus security.
The guy fled long before the campus police showed up.
There wasn’t much more of a description, other than he was approximately our age, had dark hair, dark eyes, and the tattoo.
My ex would never have let anyone near him with a needle, with his trypanophobia. Besides, he doesn’t have dark hair or dark eyes.
Which has me questioning who else would show up for Zeke.
“The man had a snake tattoo.” I gesture to my neck. “Do any of Dante’s men have that type of tattoo?” Ashton would know; he’s worked long enough for Dante.
“No.” Ashton folds his arms across his chest. “Any other distinguishing features?”
“Dark hair, dark eyes. They didn’t give me a lot to go on, and the security camera feed didn’t capture anything. He wore a hat to cover his face from view.”
“Of course, he did,” Ashton grumbles and glances over his shoulder at Nova, who is standing in the hallway with Zeke, eavesdropping.
“If it’s not one of Dante’s men, then whoever was after us months ago, they’re still out there.”
Ashton paces the length of the living room, quiet.
“Ashton?” I need answers.
“I’m thinking!” He huffs, and the front door turns with the lock as it is unclasped.
My heart pounds wildly in my chest when Luca steps inside. “Someone tried to kidnap our son!”
“What?” Luca growls and drops his bag at the front door. “Where is he?”
“He’s okay.” Nova cuddles Zeke, nuzzling his nose, and he wiggles to get down.
Zeke runs to Luca, and he swiftly lifts him off the ground, pulling him into his arms. Luca thoroughly examines Zeke, inspecting to make sure there’s not so much as a fresh scratch or mark on him.
“Whoever it is, he didn’t get past the front entrance at the daycare.” I tilt my head, staring at Luca. “Do you know anyone with a snake tattoo on their neck?”
His brow pinches, and immediately, he shakes his head, no hesitation. “No. Is that the description of the guy?”
I recant the physical details I was given to Luca, which isn’t much.
Luca and Ashton exchange a quick glance.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I shout, demanding to be let in on their little secret. Whatever it is, I don’t like being kept in the dark when it involves my family.
“The threat from this past year is dead, but it’s possible someone else in the DeLuca family took Massimo’s place,” Luca says.
“DeLuca family?” I have no idea who they are. “What do they want with my son?”
“Probably to get to Dante through you,” Ashton guesses. “I suppose they don’t realize you two don’t get along.”
Luca’s nose crinkles as he glances at Ashton. “We have an away game this week.”
There’s a heavy sigh that escapes Ashton’s lips. He glances in the direction of the hallway where Nova is standing. She leans against the wall, no longer hiding from the conversation.
“Do you think something might happen when you’re gone?” Nova is the first to ask.
“Nothing is going to happen to my family,” Luca growls and stalks closer to me, Zeke still in his arms.
I feel his presence before he takes the last stride, coming to stand in front of me. “You’re going to stay with Dante while we’re away.”
Zeke climbs from Luca back into my arms, and I finally put him down, letting him run around the house, convinced that it’s safe here.
“What?” My eyes widen. “You’re absolutely insane, Luca. Your father hates me, made it clear that I’m not welcome. Are you certain he’s not the one behind the abduction? This could all be a revenge plot, a way to teach me a lesson for going to the cops.”
He purses his lips, not denying my question. “No one he works with has a snake tattoo. Liam, Ashton, and I are going to be home late after the game. I don’t like knowing that it’s just the two of you girls alone with Zeke.”
Nova steps forward. “I know how to use a gun.”
Ashton strides across the room, pulling Nova close against him. “Come to the game with us.”
“What about Harper and Zeke?” Nova asks. She smacks Ashton’s chest. “I can’t believe you’d suggest I leave my best friend and her son behind to go watch your game.”
Ashton grabs Nova’s wrist after the second smack.
“All three of you,” Ashton growls. “Drive Luca’s car up to Great Falls and come see the game. Nothing will happen if you’re in public. These guys don’t operate around out in the open.”
“Right. Like they don’t strike at grocery stores?” Harper quips, raising an eyebrow.
“That was the parking lot,” Ashton says. “The hockey game will have a lot of people and it’s an away game. You guys will be safer in Great Falls at the game than here, alone.”
“I’ll drive us home after the game,” Luca agrees, “but that doesn’t solve the issue the next time we’re at an away game, none of us will be here to protect you.”
“I’ll be here.” Nova stomps her foot, annoyed that the boys don’t seem to pay her any attention.
“Yes, we heard you.” Luca glances at Nova. “But you’re not exactly the muscle around here.”
She glares at Luca and swings her fist at him, trying to prove her point, but he blocks it and shoves her backward up against the wall. Luca glares at Ashton all the while, holding Nova against the wall. “Control your girlfriend!”
“Control your sister!” Ashton shoots back at him.
Nova struggles against his grip, his point clearly made.
He drops his hold on her. “I’ll talk to Dante.”
Luca can’t be serious. I scoff at his suggestion. “You’re going to talk to your father, the man who absolutely hates me?” I don’t see how Dante is going to help with the situation. If he’s not already behind the attempted abduction, he’ll make it worse.
“He doesn’t hate you,” Luca says, but not even he sounds convinced of his own words.
Ashton clears his throat. “I hate to dampen the mood, but we need to grab a quick bite and then head to practice. Coach is going to pissed if we’re late.”
Luca looks a bit perplexed, and then shakes the cobwebs free. Whatever he’s thinking, it’s clearly troubling him. I just hope he won’t be distracted at practice or tomorrow at their game in Great Falls.
“I’m not leaving Harper and Zeke alone. I’ll skip practice,” Luca says.
“You can’t skip it, coach is still pissed about you missing the last game of last season,” Ashton says. He heads toward the door, getting his shoes and coat on.
“Fine, then Harper and Zeke are coming with us. I’m not leaving them alone.”
Luca doesn’t even ask my input but I’m glad he’s taking charge. It makes me feel safe after what happened today. “Okay.” I hurry to help Zeke get his shoes on then I do the same while Luca gets ready to head back out the front door.
“We can’t go to every practice with you,” I remind him. “We’re going to have to figure something out.”
“This weekend, we’ll work on self-defense training,” Luca says. “I’m going to teach you the basics to protect yourself and Zeke.”
“What about if the assailant has a weapon, like a gun?” He can’t honestly expect me to disarm him with some basic self-defense.
“We’ll take you to the shooting range,” Ashton says. He jabs his thumb in the direction of Luca. “I taught this guy to use a gun. You can’t do any worse than Luca on your first day.”
I watch from the stands; Nova, Kensley, and I are seated next to each other at the Predators’ arena in Great Falls. Zeke has his headphones on to help block some of the noise as he sits on my lap and then squirms, wanting to run around.
We managed to quite easily convince Kensley to join us on the drive. I’ve seen less and less of her lately, and I miss hanging out together.
She’s constantly with Brooks or partying, which I have little interest in doing. Even if I wanted to party, I’ve got Zeke, which makes it a non-priority.
“Look at your daddy,” I say, pointing at the ice as Luca skates on by. We’re several rows back, with Predators’ fans all around us.
Our little group wears our Narwhals jerseys. We definitely stand out, but there’s a speckling of white and teal throughout the arena in a sea of green and black.
“Since when did you and Brooks hook up?” Nova asks, glancing briefly at Kensley before returning her attention to the ice.
Tucker slams Luca into the boards, and I wince, feeling his pain. It was a dirty maneuver, but they were both chasing the puck.
“Who says we’ve hooked up?” Kensley glares at me as if I’m the one that’s been gossiping about my best friend.
“It wasn’t me.”
Zeke tries removing his headphones, and I plant my hands on both of his ears, reminding him it stays on.
“I’ve seen you all over Brooks at the aftergame parties. Come on. Are you two not hooking up?” Nova’s waiting for an explanation.
“We’re dating, but we’re taking things slow,” Kensley says, and her cheeks redden. “Not that it’s anyone’s business.”
“Fair enough.” Nova smiles at Kensley. “I’m just glad you and Brooks are dating. I swear he’s had a crush on you since you first showed up at a party with Harper.”
“I’m not sure he even noticed me that first time, but we did get to talking and hanging out. He’s cute and, yeah, that’s all I’m going to say about it.” Kensley’s face is as red as a tomato.
I’ve never seen her flustered.
It’s actually quite cute and quite clear to me that she really likes Brooks. I’m glad she’s found someone to keep her busy. I feel a bit like a shitty friend for not being around and hanging out with her as much as I’d like, but it’s hard, between Zeke and classes.
Luca hits the puck to Liam, and it slices past the goalie, landing right into the net.
We’re on our feet, cheering and screaming as the Narwhals take the lead in the third period.