I hate lying to my sister, but what is a white lie in the grand scheme of things? Okay, more like a few lies. Starting with the fact that I’m hiding how famous Noah is and my connection to him.
Chloe walks through my house, barely attempting to hide her surprise as she takes in her surroundings. Maya distracts Noah, giving Chloe the opportunity to gape.
I get it isn’t what people expect. While the castle has a gothic look on the outside, I chose comfortable furnishings for my prison. Plush couches and fluffy carpets set a welcoming tone despite the asshole who lives here.
“Not what you expected?” I walk beside her, holding a squirming Marko.
She runs a finger across the back of a velvet gray couch. “It looks different in the daylight.”
I chuckle. “I imagine with your line of work that you don’t get the chance to appreciate it all.”
Her eyes narrow at me. “I want to punch you right now.”
I put Marko between us, pretending to cower. “No violence in front of the child.”
Her scowl turns into a small smile as she tickles Marko, making it challenging for me to hold on to him as he wiggles around.
“Clever.”
Chloe falls in line with everyone else, grabbing a plate and serving herself before sitting next to me like we do this all the time. Noah cuts Marko’s food while my sister nurses her cup of coffee.
“So Chloe, I hear you like restoring cars.” Noah looks up from Marko’s plate.
Leave it to Maya to share everything about Chloe with Noah. Where did she find the time? My sister’s eyes dart around the room, not landing on anything.
“Oh, I do. It’s my absolute favorite hobby.” Chloe looks at me with pinched brows.
I don’t bother restraining my enjoyment. A loud laugh escapes me, which results in Noah staring at me for a few seconds.
“What’s your dream car?” Maya props her elbows on the table.
“Umm. A 1967 Chevy Impala. If you throw in Dean Winchester too, I wouldn’t be opposed.” Chloe doesn’t even stumble as she comes up with that response.
“I love Supernatural too!” Maya swoons.
“You love the guys on Supernatural. There’s a difference.” Noah smirks.
Chloe listens to Maya and Noah go back and forth, tugging at her bottom lip with her teeth in a way that isn’t meant to be sexy. The move has my body aching in ways I haven’t felt in a long while. So fucking long, instead of enjoying it, I’m wary of the attraction I feel toward her.
You know nothing about her, and everything you do know is a lie. And letting my guard down isn’t something I’m keen on doing anytime soon.
“And you said you worked at a daycare before coming to Italy?” Noah asks.
“Yes. For about four years.”
“What’s your middle and last name?” Noah eyes her.
“What is this, an interview? Do you want her social security number while you’re at it?” I interfere before Noah gets out of hand.
“That would make this process easier.” Noah shrugs.
Chloe rolls her eyes, ignoring me. “My full name is Chloe Arabella Carter. Born and raised in New York City.”
Noah pulls out his phone and busies himself.
My sister chats with Chloe, battering her with question after question. Chloe plays her part and answers every question with grace. According to her, she’s never been to a Broadway show and she had an imaginary friend until the crazy age of eight years old. Her favorite hobbies include napping because apparently, she doesn’t get enough sleep.
“Why did you file a restraining order against Ralph Williams?” Noah looks up from his phone.
I clench my fists. “What the fuck, Noah!”
“Santiago! No bad words!” Maya admonishes me.
“Fuck!” Marko offers excitedly. “Fuuuuck!”
Maya shakes her head at my nephew. “No! That’s a bad word.”
“Sorry, Mommy.” Marko shoves pieces of pancake in his mouth.
Noah frowns. “I’m not going to leave my kid with just anyone, especially if Chloe here is in danger herself. If she can’t tell me who Ralph is, then we’ll take Marko with us.”
My skin heats as my irritation grows at Noah’s dismissiveness. “So you dig into someone’s life without any semblance of privacy? Are there any lines you won’t cross?”
“You’d do the same if you were in my shoes,” he counters.
“It’s okay.” Chloe gives my hand a squeeze under the table. The contact has my skin prickling in a new way I’m afraid to give more attention to. “Ralph is my mother’s boyfriend… He isn’t a danger to me anymore, especially since I’m this far away from home. When I was a teenager, my social worker insisted on filing an order after he was caught doing something he shouldn’t have. But he never bothered me again after that. Based on how lazy he is, I think he’s more of a danger to himself.” Her laugh fails to make light of the situation.