The Lost Daughter

Chapter Ten: Shopping

I blinked, looking at Nash.

His words are warm and comforting. I gave a small smile and nodded.

He walked me to the back passenger door, opening it for me.

Katherine waved, smiling wide and dabbing tears away. I gave a small wave as Nash closed the door and climbed into the front passenger seat.

“So, Lia, is there a place you would like to shop at?” Nash asked.

“Um, we could just go to Welmert. The women’s section has good size smalls

that fit me better.” I nervously say, playing with the cuffs of my hoodie. I looked at the cuffs, noticing the fraying and loose threads.

“We can go to the mall. I believe there are more store selections.” Nash offers.

“No!” I yelped, paling slightly. “I… there are a lot of people at the mall.”

I look towards the front of the vehicle.

Nash gives me a small smile, while

Luca’s knuckles are white on the steering wheel.

“It’s not… it’s not because of you two. I just… People I’d rather not deal with

would potentially be there and it would just be more of a hassle. Welmert is fine, if that is okay? Maybe we can try a mall elsewhere…” I face the side windows,

watching the scenery passing by.

“Welmert is fine. There is a great mall where we live. You may like it. It is

bigger than this mall, and I find I like the stores more. Your brothers’ too. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wilder drags you away to go shopping.” Nash chuckles.

I swallow, tensing at his words. Nash notices, clearing his throat.

“Sorry. Not the greatest choice of words. Wilder would be excited to find your clothing style. And possibly dresses if you are good with that.”

“Yeah… maybe.”

Luca pulls the SUV into the parking lot of the Welmert. The lot is packed with vehicles, different sized families milling to and from vehicles. Some pushing

carts, others carrying bags.

There is a mom holding a baby while a little girl skips beside her. I watch, a pang of jealousy in me.

I looked away, opening the door and getting out of the vehicle. Nash and Luca step out of the vehicle, coming to stand on either side of me. I shrink slightly, curving my shoulders in. I step ahead of them, walking quickly towards the building.

“I think we may be slightly intimidating standing on either side of her. Maybe only one of us should be beside her at a time.” I hear Nash softly speak to

Luca.

Luca’s larger strides caught up to me, walking beside me. He glanced down

as I glanced up. He stayed silent as we walked into the store.

One of the employees welcomed us, smiling until his eye landed on Luca. The guys eyes widened that I thought he was going to choke on air or something.

I looked straight ahead, walking to the women’s clothing section. I slipped between the clothing racks, glancing at

colors, styles and fabrics.

Luca followed me, looking above everything as if he was waiting for a threat to show. A shiver ran through me as I pulled a hoodie from a rack, looking at the size and feeling the fabrics.

“Um… Mr. De Nairo, may I ask a question?” I mumble softly, giving the

hoodie my attention but not really looking at it.

Luca looked at me, nodding. “You may call me Luca, instead of Mr. De Nairo.

Makes me feel like my father. Luca is good. And you can ask me anything, Lia.”

“What… um… What is it that you do for work? Darryl seemed quite… scared

of you.” I glanced up at him, still holding the hoodie.

“I dabble in a few different avenues of business. The building that you were

at was one that I paid for to be built. I try to visit my… works in person to find out

what is going on when things are seeming questionable.”

“Embezzlement." I whisper.

“You noticed the numbers.” Luca says as if stating a fact and not questioning

it.

“Yes. I was putting money into something that didn’t seem like it was moving forwards in any form. When I come across the people who are proven guilty, I do not take lightly to their actions.”

My eyes widen as my face pales.

“Like… Like… ending them?” My voice

breaks as fear rushes through me.

Luca notices his mistake, his features softening. He kneels down as he faces

me, trying to make me feel more comfortable as he watched my reaction.

“I will not let anyone hurt you again, Lia. Moving forwards, I will do what a proper father, a proper parent, should do, by protecting his children. How I follow through may not be the nicest of ways, but I do not do anything that was unwarranted. Stealing from me, and my family, is not taken lightly, but I do not… end people with little proof or

first small offenses.”

I shut my mouth tight, my heart racing in my chest as I soaked in his words.

He protects his family, his children. Anything that offends him or puts his family’s safety or happiness on the line will not be just brushed aside. This information swirls in my brain as I take a deep breath, not having noticed that I had been holding my breath.

“U… u… understood sir.”

Luca blew out a breath, his face falling, looking like calling him sir pushed

him a distance away again.

“Lia, discipline to children should never be the same at to adults, and even then, abusing only comes at dire times. I may seem loud and scary, but you are proof, our blood is proof, you are my child, and I, and your brothers, want to show you how you should have properly been treated.”

I nodded, looking back at the clothing. I grabbed a couple of new hoodies,

choosing jeans and yoga pants, and a variety of other clothes. I hold them all, my arms feeling full.

“I think… we may need a cart.” The pile of clothes slightly blocked my words.

“Someone called for a cart?” Nash rolls up beside me, steering a shopping

cart.

I drop them into the cart, sticking my tongue out in playful exhaustion.

“Well, look at that. She has something in common with Wilder.” Nash grinned wide.

I furrowed my brow at Nash.

“What does that mean?” I ask hesitantly.

“It means you are not the only one with slight comedy in your actions. The

tongue thing; Wilder. You two will get along.”

I wiggle my mouth side to side, then turn away.

“I’m going to look at the shoes. And socks. And… things neither of you need to follow me for.” I looked back at them, glaring. Nash threw his hands in the air.

“Will not follow into undergarments. Understood. We’ll stay in the shoe area.”

Nash grinned, pushing the cart behind me.

Luca walked with Nash as they both

kept their eyes on me, allowing me to browse.