I close the book but leave my hand in to save the page if she wants me to keep reading. Although, I could have sworn she’d have fallen asleep before we reached the end of the book.

  “Bad dreams,” Nova whispers.

  “Do you have a lot of bad dreams?” I ask. Not once, has she snuck into my bedroom during the night. I’ve assumed that she’s been sound asleep and all right.

  Maybe she just didn’t feel safe and comfortable.

  Nova shrugs, avoiding an answer.

  “I have an idea,” I say and stand.

  She sits up, a frown on her face. Nova looks terrified that I’m leaving her after she just confessed something so deep and intimate.

  I hurry into my bedroom and am quick in the bathroom. I reach under the sink for a spray that I picked up. It smells of citrus and sage.

  I’m back beside her bed within a minute, and I crank the window open a few inches.

  I spray around the open window frame. The smell isn’t overly strong and is quite pleasant.

  She breathes deeply, taking in the scent.

  “Do you believe in magic?” I ask.

  If she doesn’t, she will tonight.

  “Magic?” Nova’s eyes widen, and her face lights up as she tightens her hold on her gorilla.

  “Yes,” I whisper, keeping my voice down. Someone is bound to notice the two of us chatting, especially if one of the guards is stationed outside the bedroom.

  I spray a few more times around the room, near her bed.

  “Bad dreams go away,” I say. “We only want good dreams and happy thoughts in this house. Anything bad or gloomy leave right now.”

  Nova scrunches her face and smiles. She points to the window. “Leave, bad dreams!” she says with a squeal.

  I smile and mist a few more times near the bathroom and then the main door of the bedroom.

  The young girl settles back down under the covers, and I close the window once we are both satisfied the bad dreams have left the room.

  “Goodnight.” I tuck Nova into bed and plant a soft kiss on her cheek. “Sweet dreams, and if you need anything, I’m just next door. You can come find me. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Nova rolls onto her stomach to get comfy.

  I close the bedroom door between us, quiet so not to disturb her, even though she hasn’t fallen asleep yet.

  “Hey,” Moreno’s voice startles me.

  “How long have you been in here?” I ask, the spray in my hand.

  “Does that really ward off bad dreams?”

  Did he hear that? Then he heard Nova speak.

  Why hasn’t he said anything about that yet?

  Maybe he didn’t hear Nova. She’s soft-spoken and quiet. It’s possible he only heard me through the door.

  “Well, it doesn’t hurt,” I say. “Do you want to tuck her into bed? She just closed her eyes.”

  Moreno gives a faint nod and brushes past me, his touch warming something inside, stirring a fire within me.

  Why does he make me feel this way?

  Conflicted.

  Desiring him is a disaster waiting to happen. I should let him go. Only be a nanny for his little girl. It would be safer, less dangerous.

  He quietly opens the adjoining door and sneaks in to give a goodnight kiss to Nova.

  I try not to eavesdrop on their special moment together, but I find it difficult to tear my gaze away from the open door and Moreno tucking his daughter into bed.

  He’s warmed up so much toward Nova since the first day I met him. I’m not sure what’s changed. Has he realized what he’s been missing out on? Maybe his wife had always been the warm and compassionate one with Nova.

  Moreno tucks her in and retreats from the bedroom, quietly closing the door as he’s invited himself once again into my personal space.

  For the first time, I don’t mind it. But my stomach is fluttering with nervousness.

  How do I tell him Nova spoke to me today?

  Will he be angry that it was me instead of him?

  30

  MORENO

  There’s a firm knock on the office door. “Sir, you need to come here at once,” Rhys interrupts.

  Dante and I both glance up at Rhys and exchange a worried look.

  Has Vance finally come for retribution?

  He murdered my wife, Serene, and our previous nanny, Laura. Vengeance should be mine, but he won’t stop until he’s destroyed our family and burned our home to the ground.

  Dante stands.

  “I need Moreno,” Rhys says.

  “What’s going on?” Worry bolts through me like lightning. I stand in haste, nearly toppling the chair over.

  “I was standing guard outside Nova’s bedroom, and I swear I heard her and the nanny talking.”

  I press my lips together and breeze right out of Dante’s office.

  I’m done with work. He gave me the day off, and the two of us were playing catch up, but that can wait.

  If Nova is finally opening up and back to her old self, I want to see it for myself.

  I’m hurrying up the stairs, and I hear Dante’s voice behind me.

  “Tread carefully, Moreno.”

  I didn’t even realize he was following me until he spoke. I glance over my shoulder at him as I hurry down the hallway. “What are you suggesting?”

  “Just wait outside,” he says and holds up a hand. “If you charge in there, you could crumble everything good that’s happening right now.”

  He’s right.

  I know Dante wants what’s best for Nova, but I’m her father.

  She should be speaking to me!

  My heart hurts just thinking that she trusts the nanny more than her flesh and blood. What have I done?

  I run a hand through my hair and groan. I’m trying not to stomp or yank the door open as I approach Nova’s bedroom.

  Muffled sounds are coming from inside the room. It’s difficult to make out what’s being said, but there is a conversation happening, and it’s not just Paige reading Nova a bedtime story.

  I’ve listened to a few of her stories from just outside the door, and while she may attempt to do different voices for the characters, none sound like Nova.

  I opt to slip into Paige’s bedroom. If she’s talking to Nova, then I can hear what’s being said.

  Am I eavesdropping?

  Yes, but it’s worth the risk of getting caught.

  Paige will have to get over it.

  I close the door, not letting Dante have any further involvement. His opinion, he can keep to himself.

  I want to burst through the adjoining door. My heart hammers in my chest at Nova’s sweet squeal.

  The air is sucked from my lungs.

  My feet are frozen in place.

  I can’t move.

  I can’t breathe.

  A moment later, and Paige steps into the bedroom. She seems mildly surprised to see me.

  There’s so much that I want to say, but not yet. I need to see Nova, tuck her into bed, and I hope that in a halfway state of slumber, she’ll return the words that I voice.

  I brush past Paige and into Nova’s room. I fix her covers, although they’re already neat, and drop a kiss on her forehead. “Goodnight, Nova. I love you.”

  Without a sound, I ease back away from the bed and with soft steps retreat into Paige’s room.

  I could exit through the bedroom door, but I don’t want to do that, not yet.

  Paige and I have a lot to discuss. I shut the door behind myself as I join her in her bedroom. Usually, she’s in her pajamas under the covers, reading a book.

  Tonight, I’ve surprised her.

  At least I hope that I have and she’s happy to see me.

  “Do you want to sit?” she asks and gestures to her bed.

  “How long has Nova been speaking to you?” I don’t intend for it to come out as an accusation, but saying I’m not jealous is a lie.

  She exhales a heavy sigh and plops onto the edge of the mattress.

  There’s too much energy pulsating through my body. I’m incapable of sitting still, and so I tower above her. It takes everything in me not to pace the length of her bedroom.

  I need to remain calm and quiet.

  Nova is asleep right next door, and the walls are thin enough that I could wake her. That’s the last thing I want to happen.

  Paige fiddles with her hands on her lap. “Just today. She asked if she could have the stuffed animal at the toy store.”

  “Thank you for buying that for her. Let me know what it costs, and I’ll reimburse you.” It didn’t even occur that I’d left it up to the nanny to pay for my child’s toy. I shouldn’t have done that. It was irresponsible.

  “It’s not a big deal.” She waves her hand dismissively into the air.

  “Nova talking again is a big deal.”

  “Again?” Paige tilts her head, staring up at me with wide eyes. “Oh, I agree. Nova talking is a big deal. What’s this again thing?”

  Fuck.

  Caught in a lie.

  Not that I should have ever lied to Paige, but I didn’t expect Nova would open up again. After a year of mutism, I thought that was it, and she was just going to be silent.

  What did I know about kids? Serene had always been a loving and doting parent. She wanted kids. I didn’t know how the hell to change a diaper, let alone deal with a four-year-old who refused to speak.

  Honestly, I thought she’d grow out of it after a week. That it was because her mother died. Boy, was I wrong.

  “After Serene—her mother—died, she refused to speak.”

  “And you didn’t think to take her to a therapist after her mother’s death?” Paige asks.

  My mouth is dry. I rub my hands together, wrestling inwardly with my demons. “It wasn’t that simple. Neither of us wanted to talk about it.”

  “You didn’t want to talk about it. That girl needed her father,” Paige says.

  I give her credit for standing up to me and saying what no one else had the courage to a year ago, to my face.

  “She still needs her father,” I say. “And I’m here.”

  Paige folds her arms across her chest and emits a heavy sigh. Her lips are pressed together.

  Does she not believe me?

  “I’m trying. Having my wife murdered and the nanny slaughtered, possibly in front of Nova, isn’t exactly in the ‘how to be a dad’ handbook,” I mock.

  She stands. Her brow is furrowed. Paige steps closer, coming face-to-face with me. “You forgot to mention your previous nanny was murdered.”

  I cringe.

  Shit.

  There I go, slipping up again.

  “It wasn’t a hot selling point for the job,” I say.

  Paige must realize that I couldn’t put that in the job listing or talk about it. I hadn’t intended for her to discover her employer was the mafia. That wasn’t a conversation to be had during a job interview.

  “I get that, but you have a duty to be honest with me.” She doesn’t back down.

  I shake my head and take a tentative step back. I need to turn this whole thing around and gain control again. I don’t like that she has my wheels spinning and my heart racing.

  “No.”

  “No?” she asks. “You’re not going to be honest with me? Then, I quit!”

  Her boldness has me taken aback for a brief second.

  “You can’t quit. You signed a contract, Paige, and in case you forgot, you aren’t to be released from your contract without it being either in agreement, my decision, or until a replacement is hired.”

  “Fine, then hire a replacement!” She throws her arms up into the air, exasperated.

  That’s not going to happen.

  I don’t want anyone else with my daughter.

  “No. Nova is finally opening up, talking, and you want to abandon her?” I turn the tables on Paige.

  Her shoulders slump. Defeated. “That’s not fair.”

  “No, it’s not fair to Nova. She looks up to you. Dare I say the kid loves you.”

  Paige licks her lips and takes a step away from me. “I won’t work for a liar,” Paige says.

  “I’ve only kept things from you to protect you.” That’s all I’ve ever wanted, her well-being.

  Well, Nova and hers.

  “You can’t quit, Paige. I don’t accept your resignation.”

  She exhales a heavy sigh and heads back toward the mattress, slumping down on the bed. “Fine, but I want this weekend off, and I want to be allowed to leave the cabin and the premises. No guards.”

  She’s not a prisoner, but letting her leave alone puts her at risk.

  “I can’t do that.”

  31

  PAIGE

  “You can’t let me leave?” I scoff. “Or you won’t? How am I not being held captive if I can’t leave?”

  “Didn’t you hear what I said happened to the last nanny? She was murdered.” Moreno steps closer. “My job is to protect you. Your job is to look after my daughter. Let me do my job and I won’t interfere in yours.”

  I laugh under my breath.

  “Seriously?”

  I don’t believe him.

  The nerve of him to not let me leave the premises!

  “You can’t keep me here, Moreno.”

  “I’m trying to protect you. Remember Vance, at the club? The fact that you work for me, the Ricci family, makes you a target.”

  I purse my lips together. “What if I’m willing to take the risk?” Vance wouldn’t hurt me. If he wanted to kill me, he’d have done it when I walked into his agency and requested an application to become a nanny.

  Right?

  Except I didn’t mean a damned thing to the Ricci family before I became their nanny. Is that why I’m a target now?

  Moreno has to be overreacting. Not that I blame him because I don’t. He has been through a lot, with his wife having died and the previous nanny being murdered.

  His tongue darts out along the side of his mouth for a second as he’s thinking about my proposition.

  Will he let me leave?

  “No.”

  “Come on.” I’m trying not to whine, but he’s infuriating to be around. “You can’t keep me hostage.”

  “You’re not a hostage. You’re an employee of the Ricci family. As far as I see it, you have a roof over your head, a warm bed, the entire house as your castle, and great company.” He smirks at me, and all I want to do is wipe that grin right from his face.

  “Fine.”

  If he doesn’t let me leave, then I’ll sneak out.

  Or convince one of the guards that Moreno is letting me leave.

  He cocks an eyebrow at me. “Good. I’m glad that’s settled.” He seems mildly surprised that I give in to him.

  “You can have the weekend off, but you’re not leaving the cabin unless I come with you or one of the guards accompanies you.”

  There’s not a chance that he’d be on board with me hanging out with Ariella. It’s best if I keep the arrangement to myself.

  “Fine.”

  I text Ariella and make lunch plans for just the two of us at a small café in town. She gives me the address.

  Glancing at my watch, if I leave now, I can make it a few minutes early.

  There isn’t traffic to worry about, just interference from the guards.

  Nova is having a day out with Moreno. He took at least one guard with him, possibly two.

  I head for the front door, keys in hand, my purse slung over my shoulder.

  Rhys catches sight of me as I grab the front door handle. “Where are you going?” he asks.

  There’s a frown etched on his face. He seems unsure of protocol, which I use to my advantage.

  “Moreno wanted me to run to the store to pick up some new supplies for Nova. Finger paints, a canvas, you know, the usual art stuff that kids love.”

  I turn the handle and open the door. “I’ll be back after lunch.”

  “Is someone supposed to accompany you?” Rhys asks. “Don Ricci always insists that a guard accompanies his wife off the premises.”

  I smile reassuringly. “You don’t have to worry. I’m not Nikki, the don’s wife. I’m just the nanny.” With as much conviction, I try to let him know that he doesn’t need to babysit me.

  There’s still confliction etched on his face. “Okay.” He answers a little too quickly. He seems to still be mulling it over in his head, his brow furrowed. “Maybe I should call—”

  I’m out the door and slam it shut before he can finish his sentence.

  If he does call Moreno, I don’t want to be around. I’ll handle his wrath later when he sees that I’m fine, and he was overreacting.

  Hurrying to my car, I unlock the driver’s side door and hop in, starting the engine. I put the car in gear and back out, heading down the main path for the guard gate.

  The guard opens the gate and gives me a nod without so much as a second thought.

  That was easy!

  I laugh under my breath, hit the gas, and head away from the cabin.

  I glance in the rearview, expecting someone to chase after me, tell me that I can’t leave without a guard or Moreno’s approval.

  Dust and dirt kick up behind me.

  No one appears to be following.

  I pull into the parking lot, then head into the café and spot Ariella at a table. Her husband has the kids today, which is a nice break for both of us.

  “I’m glad you managed to show up,” Ariella says with a warm smile. She stands and gives me a huge embrace. “I thought that you’d text to cancel on me.”

  I’m not sure I want to tell her that I was worried that might happen too. “Well, I made it,” I say with a laugh.

  I scoot into the booth, sitting across from her.

  “How’s working for you know who?” she says and grins.

  At least she knows how to be somewhat discreet and not announce the family’s name I’m employed under.

  “He’s a handful.” I laugh. “More than the kid.”

  Ariella chuckles. “Well, anytime you need a break, you are invited to crash at our place. We have a guest bedroom that you can occupy.”

 

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