Page 16 of Morsel

7

Dolly

It’s easy to untie myself. Oscar might be a billionaire, and he might own one of the biggest companies in the state, but I grew up with Craig as a brother and Randy as a stepfather. The two of them would tie me up when I got too mouthy, when I was too annoying, or just because they felt bored.

Things are different now.

I’m different.

As soon as I’m free from the binds, I slip out of the bed. For some reason, Oscar took my clothing. That’s fine. I can find something else to wear. I rifle around in his dresser until I find a pair of sweatpants, a Kiss t-shirt, and some socks. There are no shoes randomly lying around in my size, but that’s fine. The socks will work.

Quietly, I open the door to the hall. I pause, and I look both ways.

There’s nothing.

I slip out into the hall, close the bedroom door behind me, and turn left down the hall. I know that Oscar is still in the apartment somewhere, but I’m probably just going to have to run out of the room when I get close.

Or, who knows?

Maybe he’ll be in the bathroom and I can just sneak right on by.

When I reach the living room, I hear him talking on the phone. He’s on speaker, so I know the other voices are Ryan and Phoenix Shadowvale. Oscar has always been close with his brothers, so I shouldn’t be surprised they would be his first phone call.

“What is it?” Oscar says.

“Her brother has been in and out of jail for years.” That’s Phoenix.

Shit.

Phoenix is kind of a whiz when it comes to computers. He’s the tech bro genius of the brothers, so it’s no surprise to me that he’s the one Oscar asked for help.

What bothers me is that this feels invasive.

Probably, I’m sure, as invasive as Craig abducting Oscar.

“For what?” Oscar asks.

“Does it matter?” Ryan says.

“It matters.”

“Everything from lighting fires to stealing cars,” Phoenix says.

Embarrassment washes over me. I don’t like to think of my family history like this. It’s bad enough that Craig did what he did today.

Do I really need to live with the fact that his past is coming up now?

“Why do you think he went after you?” Ryan asks.

“Dolly will know,” Oscar says.

“And where is she?” Ryan asks.

“In my bed.”

“Alone?” Phoenix asks.

“She’s restrained.”

---