Until You

"You like what you see, huh, pussycat?" Joey said. He grinned, showing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and she looked quickly past him.

Moratelli smiled as their eyes met.

"Miranda," he said, nodding his head.

For one insane second, she almost smiled back at him. He looked just as she remembered, tall and good-looking, with a civilized smile and dark, pleasant eyes.

"Look around you," he said. "You'll see that there's nothing to fear."

It was true, there didn't seem to be. She was in a living room that was big and bright. The ceiling was high, with exposed wooden beams and a huge skylight that seemed filled with stars. A fireplace stretched the length of one wall. The furnishings were handsome and looked expensive.

"Nice, isn't it?"

Her gaze flew back to Vince and he frowned.

"For heaven's sake, aren't I foolish? You can't answer, not with that gag in your mouth, can you, darling? Joey, undo Miranda's gag, if you please."

She took a deep, ragged breath as the gag fell from her lips. Her throat felt raw and parched and she swallowed painfully.

"Joey," Vince chided, "I think you must have had that on too tight." He bent down and knelt in front of her, his expression one of deep concern. "Are you all right, darling?"

It took effort to work enough moisture into her mouth to speak.

"Mr. Moratelli..."

"Please, there's no need for such formality. Call me Vince, won't you? It's much more appropriate, considering how well we're going to know each other."

Joey let out a high-pitched giggle. "Oh, that's good, Vince, that's really good!"

Vince sighed and shook his head. "You'll have to forgive Joey, Miranda. His manners are sadly lacking."

"Mr. Moratelli. Vince." She swallowed dryly. "Vince, please, you're making a mistake."

Joey giggled again. Vince shot him an angry look.

"Go put up some coffee," he said. "Miranda and I want to talk. Now, darling, what do you mean, I'm making a mistake?"

"I know you want money."

"Well, we all do, don't we? Even you, with your privileged upbringing, must understand that."

"What I'm trying to say is, if you let me go, I'll see to it that Eva pays you whatever it is you've asked."

Vince smiled. "That's very kind."

"Plus a bonus, for—for being so cooperative."

"Do tell."

"Yes. And I swear, I'll never tell her or anyone else that you were involved in this."

Vince rose to his feet, folded his arms and rocked back on his heels.

"I don't understand, darling. You say your mother will pay extra for your safe release."

"Absolutely. As I said, she'll pay whatever you've asked, plus—"

"But I haven't asked anything, Miranda."