“It’s nice to meet you, Paige. I’m Ariella. And that is Olivia,” she says, pointing toward the younger of her two daughters, “and Izzie. Let me guess. You’re the new nanny for the Ricci family.”
Was it that obvious that I was in over my head? “How did you know?”
“The bodyguard is kind of a dead giveaway,” Ariella says with a laugh. “I mean, I get it. You should have someone shadowing you around, especially after what happened to her mother.”
My mouth feels dry, and while I want to glance at Ariella, I can’t take my eyes off Nova. The afternoon sun is sweltering, and sweat coats my brow. “What do you mean?” I choke out.
Moreno hadn’t mentioned Nova’s mother at all, and I didn’t want to pry. It wasn’t any of my business.
“Shit,” Ariella mutters under her breath. “I don’t mean to worry you. I’m sure you and Nova will be perfectly fine.”
“You know, Nova?” I catch a sideways glance at Ariella. She’s biting on her bottom lip and doesn’t look the least bit pleased that she opened her mouth.
Well, now she can’t just shut it.
“What happened to her mother?” I ask. “Moreno hasn’t so much as mentioned her.”
Ariella glances at Leone and then back at the playground. “Can’t say for certain. She went missing and turned up dead in the river. I wouldn’t even say anything, but you should know what you’re getting yourself involved with. Who the Ricci family is. Nova is a sweet girl, but I get the distinct feeling she needs someone to look after her.”
Moreno was a businessman. Right? Tragically, his wife passed, but that didn’t negate the fact he needed someone to care for his daughter. “That’s why Moreno hired me.”
“Of course,” Ariella says.
Leone removes his sunglasses and strolls over toward us.
“Listen, I’ll give you my number. If you need anything at all, call, text, it doesn’t matter what time of day or night it is.”
“That’s very kind of you,” I say.
She grabs a scrap of paper from her purse and scribbles down her digits before thrusting it into my hand. “Nova is a good kid. She deserves a lot better than the current hand she’s been dealt. She used to yammer on about butterflies and fairies. Sweet as can be.”
Nova didn’t talk.
At least that’s what her father had said.
Why was Moreno lying?
Ariella has no reason to lie to me and the fact she was humming a lullaby, something is amiss.
What had happened that made Nova refuse to speak?