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 bust through the adjoining door. My heart hammers in my chest at Nova’s sweet squeal.