21
Paige
Nova and I spend most of the afternoon in the garden. It would be easy to climb the small white fence, but how far would we get? The perimeter is guarded.
While Moreno threatened that I couldn’t leave the premises until the ring was returned, I hadn’t tried to leave yet.
It had only been a few hours.
But the suffocating feeling of being held against my will is enough to make me antsy.
I need out.
Nova is my priority during the day, though, and while she is awake, I won’t let her out of my sight. Especially after the fire.
We play outside for several hours. Leone brings us lunch while workers are being shuffled in and out of the house, making repairs to the playroom.
Thankfully, there wasn’t any structural damage, according to Leone. As dinner nears, we are brought inside to eat in the kitchen.
I haven’t spoken with Moreno, let alone seen him. He hasn’t so much as acknowledged Nova’s or my existence.
Is he angry that Nova stared the fire? She couldn’t have known what she was doing was dangerous.
The lighter hadn’t taken much to trigger the flame, just a flip of the lid back. No safety. No child-proof lock.
It was a disaster waiting to happen.
Who the hell brought it to a children’s camp? Had it been another kid?
There isn’t much I can do. Luca isn’t my responsibility, and I’m confident that Dante and Nikki will handle the situation.
After dinner, Rhys ushers us upstairs, ensuring we are kept away from the playroom while the repairs continue.
The lock clicks into place the moment the door is shut behind us.
“Seriously?” I mutter.
Why is Moreno having us locked in our room?
What if there is another fire?
Is he worried that I’m going to try to escape or about the workers downstairs?
“How about we get you cleaned up in a nice warm bath and then read a story before bed?”
Nova scrunches her nose. She doesn’t like my suggestion. I’m guessing it’s the part involving going to bed. I don’t know any child who enjoys bedtime.
As an adult, I look forward to crashing for the night.
“Come on. I’ll let you pick out two books tonight.”
The smile widens on her face as she follows me into her bathroom.
There’s already a fresh towel laid out, and I draw her bath water while she strips down for me without any help.
Bathing her is a priority. I didn’t realize how much her clothes reek of smoke, but as I grab them to throw in the hamper, I get an extra whiff and clear my throat, trying not to cough.
My throat feels parched and raspy.