39
Paige
“Where’s Daddy?” Nova asks. She continues with the questions, buckled into the backseat, bouncing around, not wanting to sit still.
I don’t blame her. The girl has been through a lot in such a short time.
I need to protect Nova, but I’m not sure how. Going on the run seems a dangerous idea. I’m not trying to kidnap Moreno’s daughter.
I want to protect her.
The only way I know how is to hide in plain sight.
I don’t have my phone, but I remember the address that Ariella gave me and the location of her house.
Pulling up in the driveway, I shut off the engine and open the back door to help Nova out of the SUV.
“Where are we?” Nova asks.
I haven’t answered her questions. I don’t know how to without scaring her. “We’re going for a surprise playdate,” I say. “Do you remember Ariella from lunch?”
Nova nods and clutches my hand.
I’m grimy and covered in filth. I need a shower, but none of that matters right now. I knock forcefully on the front door and wait for someone to answer.
Hopefully, Ariella is home. There was a car out front.
The lock clicks and slides and a moment later, she’s pulling the door open, staring at me.
“Are you okay?” Ariella asks.
One look at me and she can sense danger.
“Who’s at the door?” Jaxson’s voice carries from the kitchen to the foyer.
“Come in,” Ariella says, ushering us into the house. She glances past us, obviously looking for whatever danger must be following us. She locks the door behind us and arms the alarm.
“Thank you,” I say.
“Jaxson, it’s the new nanny I was telling you I befriended at the park, Paige.”
Jaxson shuts off the sink in the kitchen and hurries over to greet us.
“Paige,” he says, glancing me up and down.
“I promise I won’t stay long. I just need somewhere to keep Nova safe.”
“The police station is usually the proper place. If something happened with Moreno or the family and your life is in danger—”
“It’s nothing like that,” I say and hold up my hand. “Maybe we should have this discussion in private.” I don’t want to scare Nova any more than she already has been after what’s happened today.
Jaxson gives a firm nod. “Good idea. Ariella will keep an eye on Nova and get her something to eat while we have a little chat.”
He gestures me to follow him through the kitchen toward a back bedroom.
Jaxson shuts the door behind me with a loud thump.
I jump from the sound. I’m still on edge after everything that’s transpired today.