Runaway: Wolfes of Manhattan Three

by HELEN HARDT

  “Stop,” I said. “Just stop. We’ve been through this. You couldn’t have. Don’t you get it?”

  “We can never truly get what you’ve been through, Riley,” Roy said.

  “You’re right. Be thankful.”

  He didn’t reply right away. I couldn’t blame him. Any of them. Sure, they could be thankful they hadn’t gone through the horror I had, but they’d all gone through shit at our father’s hands, and I wouldn’t deny them their right to hate him on their own terms.

  “He just meant,” Reid said, “that we would have gotten you out of there. Come hell or high water—”

  I shook my head vehemently. “I’ve thought about that. A lot. And I’ve concluded that you couldn’t have. Don’t you see? He wouldn’t have let you!”

  They all gaped at me, as if the words I’d uttered were incomprehensible.

  “Actually,” Roy said, “she’s right.”

  “Wait.” Reid shook his head. “You just said—”

  “I said we can never truly know what she went through, and I stand by that. You said we would have helped, and I agree. We would have. We would have moved mountains. But our father—he would have moved planets to get his own way.”

  “Planets?” Rock scoffed. “You’ve gone off the deep end, Roy.”

  Charlie patted Roy’s hand.

  “I’m not being literal, Rock,” Roy said. “I’m only saying whatever we did to help Riley wouldn’t have been enough. Dad had all the power, control of all the assets, probably control of the authorities. If he wanted to keep abusing our sister, we couldn’t have stopped him. Look where your attempt got you.”

  “Wait a minute—”

  “Rock, please.” Lacey stopped him.

  “Look where your attempt to stop him got you,” Roy said again.

  “I was fourteen, for fuck’s sake. A kid. I had no control over anything, including my own hormones.”

  “No, you didn’t.” Roy paused a moment. “That’s my point, entirely. Sure, you were a young hothead, but our father never changed. In fact, he became more powerful and more egotistical, if that was possible. He was a megalomaniac. Derek Wolfe got what he wanted no matter the cost. No one stopped him.”

  “Roy is right,” I said quietly. “Only he said it better than I could. Trust me. You couldn’t have stopped him. Any attempt would have had you wishing you’d never tried.”

  “Hey, I don’t wish—” Rock began.

  “I know,” I said. “I know you don’t wish anything different. I know you’d do it all over again, and I know you two”—I nodded to Reid and Roy—“would have tried if you’d known. I get it. I’d do the same for any of you. But you wouldn’t have been successful, and he’d have made your lives miserable, just like he did to Rock.”

  “We weren’t teenagers,” Reid said. “Roy and I could have—”

  “We couldn’t have,” Roy interjected. “We’d have wanted to, and we’d have tried, but we wouldn’t have been able to protect her. I wish it were different, but it’s not.”

  “So there’s no use in any of you feeling guilty for doing nothing when you didn’t know anyway,” I said. “Had you tried, he’d have made you pay. Big time. So please, give yourselves a break. You couldn’t have saved me, and I know you would have tried. Frankly, I’m glad you didn’t know. I can’t bear the thought of what he might have done to you.”

  True words.

  “Was our father a megalomaniac?” Rock asked. “Or a fucking psychopath?”

  “He was a pedophile, for sure,” Reid said.

  “Only with me.” I raised my hand when mouths opened to interrupt me. “Hey, he’s a sicko for sure, but he never touched another child.”

  “Even in his hunting games?” Lacey asked.

  “I didn’t know about that. All I can tell you is that there were times when I…” Nausea crept into me.

  “It’s okay,” Lacey said. “You don’t have to tell us.”

  “Except you do,” Rock said. “We need all the information.”

  I nodded, gulping down the nausea. “Sometimes he…with others…and their children. Some of them shared. He didn’t. He never touched anyone but me and he didn’t let anyone else touch me.”

  “I suppose there’s that,” Rock scoffed. “But just because you didn’t witness him molesting other children doesn’t mean he didn’t. That doesn’t make me feel any better, Sis.”

  “Me either,” I said.

  “The woman I saw who escaped appeared to be an adult,” Roy said. “She was young, for sure, but definitely through puberty. That doesn’t mean she was of age.”

  “True,” Lacey said. “But if she and Zinnia are the same person, Zinnia had to be of age to sign a legal document.”

  “And if they are one and the same,” Reid said, “years had passed between the two incidents. She could have been underage when Roy found her.”

  “All true,” Lacey agreed. “We need to find her.”

  “The PIs are on it, baby,” Rock said. “We need to prepare ourselves to act like the grieving children tomorrow at the asshole’s memorial.”

  “We’re losing a buttload of money every day we don’t break ground in Vegas,” Reid reminded us.

  “I don’t think any of us care about that at the moment,” Rock said.

  “Someone has to. We’re in great shape, but we can’t keep delaying. This is still a business.”

  “Fine, fine. You and I’ll go to Vegas first thing next week and get it figured out.”

  “Good,” Reid said. “We can’t put it off any longer.”

  The servers arrived with our salads—spinach with avocado and tomato and a jalapeno ranch dressing.

  I took a bite.

  Mmm. Spicy. And delicious.

  Not nearly as spicy as the Mexican food I’d eaten in Montana with Matt, though.

  Damn.

  I missed him.

  I missed him so much.

  30

  Matteo

  “There isn’t a lot to tell,” I said. “I’m from a small town in Montana outside of Billings called Sumter Falls.”

  “Oh? How do you know Riley?”

  “I don’t, really.” Not actually a lie. I sure didn’t know her as well as I wanted to.

  “Not buying it, dude,” Fox said. “No one flies to New York from Montana to meet a supermodel without knowing her. Unless he’s a stalker.”

  I nearly spit my sixty-five-dollar bourbon on the bar. I swallowed quickly. “I’m no stalker.”

  “Yeah, you don’t look the type. I had one once. She was a real piece of work.” He took a drink. “Still, though, why’d you fly here to find Riley?”

  “If I tell you the truth, you need to keep it in confidence.”

  “Absolutely. Who would I tell?”

  “Well…everyone in the modeling industry comes to mind,” I said.

  “That’s not my style.” Fox set down his glass and met my gaze. “What’s your story?”

  “Do I have your word that it stays between the two of us?”

  “You do.”

  For some reason, I believed the young man who was a virtual stranger to me. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe I just needed to tell someone about Riley and me. Maybe that would make it more real. I was beginning to wonder if I’d imagined the whole thing.

  “She rented a cabin of mine in Montana. That’s how we met.”

  “Oh?” He lifted his brows. Yeah, his interest was definitely piqued. “So that’s where she ran away to. Montana.”

  “Ran away?”

  “Yeah. Like I said, it’s her MO.”

  “Why?”

  “Why?” He chuckled. “If I had to wager a guess, probably because she’s a spoiled brat whose had everything handed to her since the day she escaped her mother’s womb.”

  “Hey, wait a minute—”

  “Easy. I mean no disrespect. She’s great at what she does. I’ve already told you that. But she doesn’t seem to take her career seriously. Why in hell would she ju
st take off whenever the wind blows, you know? Answer? Because she can. Daddy takes care of her.”

  “Uh…didn’t you hear? Daddy’s dead.”

  “Yeah. That’s right. Someone offed him.”

  “So she’s probably mourning him,” I said.

  “Then why did she run away? To get away from her brothers?”

  “”Brothers?” She’d told me she had only one brother. So much I didn’t know.

  “Yeah. Three of them. All big and strong and protective. I met one of them recently. He’s the size of a tank.”

  An artist the size of a tank? Riley’s brothers didn’t scare me. I could hold my own. Besides, I was no threat to their sister. I was in love with her. Despite the fact she’d lied to me continually.

  But was I truly in love?

  I knew nothing about her. I’d learned more from a half hour talking to Fox than I had from Riley in the few days we spent together.

  Had I fallen in love with an illusion?

  “Is she close with her brothers? Her family?”

  “I honestly don’t know. I barely know her. We’ve been to some functions together, and we’ve had some trivial conversation, but she pretty much keeps to herself.”

  I nodded. “I get it.”

  Did I ever. She’d invented a whole new identity to keep me from getting to know her. Talk about keeping to herself. Maybe I didn’t know her any better than Fox did.

  Except she and I had slept together. Made love. It had been quick and furious and wonderful, but I wished with all my heart that I’d been able to show her so much more.

  “So why are you looking for her? She made that much of an impression on you?”

  Had she ever. “Does that surprise you?”

  He shook his head. “You aren’t the first guy to fall for a pretty face.”

  I took a sip of my expensive bourbon. “She’s a lot more than a pretty face.”

  “Is she? She seems like the typical heiress to me. Spoiled. Comes and goes as she pleases even though she has commitments.”

  “Commitments?”

  “She was supposed to be shooting in Paris this week. Everyone in the industry knows it. She does this all the time, and her poor agent has to make the excuses.”

  I finished my bourbon. “I see.”

  “If you’ve got some fairytale image of her, of saving the damsel in distress, my best advice is to get over it, Matt. Go home to Montana. Find a nice local girl. Get married and have some kids. Riley Wolfe isn’t for you.”

  “Do you want her for yourself? Is that what this is about?”

  He laughed. “God, no. She’s too old for me.”

  Hmm. Good question. How old was Riley anyway? Her fake driver’s license had said she was twenty-eight. Seemed about right.

  “How old are you?”

  “First, I was kidding about Riley being too old me for. I’m twenty-one. I look older, and I won’t age quickly, which will serve me well in modeling.”

  “Only twenty-one, and already you know the best bourbon?”

  “I told you. I found it by accident— Wait a minute!”

  “What?”

  “I was with a woman the night I tried this for the first time a few weeks ago. A woman who married one of Riley’s brothers. He was there that night. Rock Wolfe.”

  “What was the woman’s name?”

  “Lacey. She’s an attorney. A total hottie, but she wouldn’t bite because she’s ten years older than I am. What is it with some women?”

  “Maybe she was in love with someone else. Riley’s brother. Where can I find her?”

  “Lacey?” Fox dug out his wallet and leafed through it. “I think I have her card. No, I guess not. Sorry.”

  “Shit. But her name’s Lacey, right? An attorney. Last name?”

  “Ward, I think, but like I said, she’s married to Rock Wolfe now.”

  “That’s okay. It’s a start. Thanks, man.”

  “Any time. Just remember if you find Riley, my name stays out of it.”

  “You got it. Thanks for the drinks, and best of luck with your Duckie and Bandana thing.”

  He laughed. “You’re a riot, Matt. It’s Dolce & Gabbana.” He pulled another card out of his wallet. “You ever want to have another drink, give me a call.”

  “Will do.” I stood and held out my hand. “I’m glad we met.”

  “Yeah, me too. See you around.”

  I walked out of the bar, clutching the card and remembering the name he’d given me.

  Lacey Ward.

  My key to finding Riley.

  31

  Riley

  Though I’d requested the filet mignon entrée, I only ate a few bites. Nothing tasted good to me tonight.

  I dreaded the memorial service tomorrow, and though my brothers needed me, I hated being back here. It was all a constant reminder of my father.

  On top of all that crap?

  I missed Matt.

  I missed him so much.

  The servers had collected our plates, and Charlie had the floor. Apparently she’d set up the memorial service.

  “We need to be at the church at one p.m. tomorrow,” she said. “The service is at two. I’ve got the programs being printed tomorrow at ten, so…”

  “What?” Rock asked.

  “One of you has to do a eulogy.”

  Silence descended in the banquet room like a black curtain. A eulogy?

  “I’m sorry,” Charlie said, “but you guys told me this had to look like a real memorial where you were all devastated. One of you is going to have to step up.”

  “Not me,” I said. “I can’t.”

  “No one expects you to do it, Sis,” Roy said.

  “I sure as hell can’t,” Rock said. “I’ve been away since I was a kid.”

  “I hate to say this,” Reid said, “but that may make you the perfect choice.”

  “Oh, hell, no.” Rock shook his head vehemently.

  “Can’t Father Jim just say a few words?” Reid asked.

  “That’s fine with me,” Charlie said, “but you told me this has to look like you all care.”

  “How can any one of us do it?” Rock said. “It’s impossible. We all have our issues with the bastard.”

  “I’ll do it,” Roy said quietly.

  My eyes shot wide. Roy? The recluse? The most introverted of all of us? He was going to speak publicly about our father, who he knew to be a monster? Firsthand?

  Charlie touched his wrist. “Are you sure?”

  He nodded. “Rock and Riley can’t. They suffered too much at his hand. Reid suffered more than I did. I’m the logical choice.”

  “But you, more than even me, know what he was capable of.” I shook my head.. “Are you sure?”

  “It was a secret I held trapped inside my mind for over a decade,” Roy said. “Freeing it has freed me, in a way. I don’t expect you to understand. I kept to myself. Partially because of the repressed memories, but partly because it’s just who I am. I’m an artist. An introvert. I wasn’t there for any of you when you needed me in the past, but I’m here now. This is something I can do for all of you. Please. Let me.”

  Silence.

  Finally, I said, “What can you possibly say?”

  “I’ll lie through my teeth. Don’t worry. I’ll make it look good.”

  “Bro, if you’re willing, we’d all appreciate it.” Rock smiled.

  “Willing isn’t the word I’d use,” Roy chuckled, “but I’ll do it. For my family.”

  I smiled at my middle brother, the one who looked most like me. “You’re amazing, Roy.”

  “Hardly,” he said, “but honestly, a weight has been lifted from me. I feel better now than I have in a long time.” He smiled at Charlie. “Of course, this lady has helped me a lot too.”

  “A good woman can work miracles,” Rock agreed.

  Both Charlie and Lacey’s cheeks reddened.

  Servers brought coffee and tea. I inhaled the chocolaty aroma. Smelled great, but not a
s good as the coffee at the Bean House in Sumter Falls.

  “Dessert will be served in a few moments,” the server said before leaving.

  “I can’t possibly eat another bite.” Lacey added a touch of cream to her coffee.

  “Me neither,” I said.

  “You hardly ate anything, Riley,” Reid said. “Even after you insisted on beef. Are you okay?”

  Was I okay? What a loaded question. I hadn’t been okay in twenty years.

  Except when I was with Matt.

  I was okay then.

  In fact, I was almost…happy.

  What an odd feeling—one I desperately wanted to feel again.

  I couldn’t, though. My time running had come to an end. I had a family who needed me. I had a career, and I was done making Fredricka jump through hoops. I was going to be the ideal client now. Never again would I welch on a contract.

  Riley Wolfe would earn her place in the world of modeling not by her name and face, but by her professionalism.

  I was here to stay.

  Dessert turned out to be Bananas Foster. How long had it been since I’d eaten dessert? Not long, as I’d indulged with Matt a few days ago, but before then? Years.

  I hadn’t eaten much dinner, but for some reason, Bananas Foster sounded good to me.

  I scooped some up in my spoon and brought it to my lips.

  Then I let myself taste it.

  The creamy vanilla ice cream, the smooth banana, and the sweet sauce of brown sugar, cinnamon, and dark rum.

  Delicious.

  I smiled to myself.

  How Matt would enjoy this. He lived such a simple life, but he loved good food. If only he were here, sharing this meal with me.

  I sighed after swallowing the deliciousness. Better that he wasn’t here. My life was a mess. I was determined to fix my career and take charge, and I had a lot of work ahead of me. Plus, I needed to fix my head. Get some therapy. Roy highly recommended his therapist. Next week, I’d call and get an appointment.

  I had to get my head on straight. Get my career back in order, before I could share myself with anyone.

  I held back a scoff.

  Matt Rossi would have found someone else by the time I was whole enough to be worthy of him.