Born to Rule — Episode 3

Miss Moretti, Mr. and Mrs. Hale would like you to come home as soon as possible. Dad was cleaning his gun nearby. His hands stopped. Mom slowly set down her coffee.

Home? She is home. My apologies, Mrs. Moretta. I meant her biological parents would like her back.

Is their food any good? If the food sucks, I'm not going. A Moretti doesn't suffer for anyone. Dad sighed and slipped a black card into my bag.

Then he gestured to his men. Two guards carried over a heavy black weapons case and set it in front of me. Take it with you. If anyone gives you trouble, use these.

Or call your father. Your father is never too busy for trouble. If that house doesn't feel like home, come back. A Moretti never begs anyone to love her.

My eyes stung a little. But I smiled. Relax. I'm just going to inspect the family. And if they disappoint me, I'll return them.

I looked back at the estate that had been my home for twenty years. The Hales could have billions, but money couldn't buy the confidence the Morettis had spent twenty years giving me. Two hours later, we stopped outside the Hale mansion.