Run

C H A P T E R T H R E E

"Dad?" I ask as I enter our new house.

I walk into the kitchen, but stop when I hear his heated voice.

"Cut the crap, Esposito. You can't have her."

I quickly hide behind the doorway before he notices me, and try my best to catch bits and pieces of the conversation.

The person in the other end, or more specifically, Vincent Esposito, talked roughly into the phone, judging by the fact that my dad's face was completely drained of color.

"N-No, I wasn't-" He stutters unintelligently.

I sit in shock. I've always known my father to be tough, rigid. Someone who can't be pushed around, especially by someone half his age. But for some reason, Vincent is different. Just the mention of his name has my dad fidgety and his face drained of color.

"I'm sorry, sir." He says, dropping his head in defeat.

He listens closely as Vincent says something on the other end. His eyes slightly widen in shock, but he still nods his head.

"Yes, sir." He sets the phone down on the table and roughly runs his hands over his face.

"Dad?" I say again. He jumps slightly and looks over at me.

"Leah," He says. "h-how long have you been standing there?"

"Few minutes."

"How much of the phone call did you hear?" His voice is dripping with sadness. He knows that I heard his conversation.

"All of it." I say. He sighs and walks over to me.

"We need to talk."

********

"Leah," He says as we sit at the table. He reaches over and grasps my hand in his and squeezes it tight.

"I was on the phone with Vincent Esposito," I nod my head. "and I'm assuming that you know why we move around all the time, right?"

I nod again. "He wants me." He nods and squeezes my hand again.

"He just told me that we have one week to willingly turn you over to him. And if our time runs out and he still doesn't have you, he'll just come and take you."

I let his words sink in. I don't freak out. I don't scream or cry. I just sit there in shock.

"You're not really going to hand me over to him, right?" I ask hesitantly. I shouldn't even have to ask this question. But the look on his face makes me think that he might just be considering it.

"Leah, we don't really have a choice-"

"Yes you do!" I yell, cutting him off. "Are you seriously going to give up your only daughter just because you're scared!?" I yell at him.

I watch as his chest rises up and down with his ragged breaths, trying to contain his anger.

"I am doing what is best for this family."

"Bullshit!"

"Watch your tone with me! You may not like me right now, but I am your father and you will respect me." I scoff at him. How can I respect someone who wants to just throw me away like I was never a part of this family?

I run up the stairs and throw open the door to my room, being cautious not to trip and fall over the boxes laying on the floor. I flop onto my bare mattress and sigh deeply.

How could someone be so stupid? He's doing what's best for the family? I'm family! He should think about what's best for me.

I get off my bed with a grunt and walk over to my suitcase of clothes. I start pulling them all out and shoving them into a backpack. Along with some other essentials and some money. I walk back down the stairs and bump into my dad.