Captive Vow by Willow Fox
9
Paige
After breakfast, Leone shuttles Nova and me to the park. It’s quite a drive away from the picturesque cabin and gorgeous scenery.
Although we aren’t anywhere near a big city, there is a park, playground, and a few shops across the street. We’re as close to “downtown” as it comes in Breckenridge.
I grab a seat on the empty wooden bench and keep a close watch on Nova as she scuttles toward the sandbox.
“You don’t have to shadow me,” I say to Leone. He’s towering behind me. I can feel his presence, and not only because he’s blocking the sun.
I rather like the sunlight, the warm air, the fact it’s summer. It won’t last much longer the nice weather.
Winter in Breckenridge is brutal. I’m not the least bit looking forward to it, although the thought of taking Nova sledding is slightly appealing.
“I’m supposed to make sure that Nova is safe.”
I glance over my shoulder at the guard dressed in a sharp suit. “You stand out. Go over there.” I gesture to the opposite side of the park.
“Why?” Leone asks. He pulls out a pair of sunglasses from his breast pocket. As if that will make him look calm and inconspicuous.
Now he just looks like a weirdo at the park.
“I’d like the opportunity to meet other nannies or mothers so that Nova can make some friends. With you hovering, no one is going to come over here.”
He’s probably hanging over my shoulder, so mothers don’t call the police reporting a pervert watching their kids.
I can’t blame them. I’d be the first to call.
In fact, maybe if I can get him away from me, I can phone in an anonymous report.
It’s cruel but I’m already tired of a chaperone. And I’m not attracted to him, so any bodyguard fantasies are non-existent.
Moreno has more of a look of a bodyguard and protector than Leone.
Maybe it’s the tattoos that Moreno has that give him the bad boy vibe.
I shouldn’t be attracted to him, but I am.
Leone struts around the bench and folds his arms across his chest as he goes to stand near the park entrance.
Good. At least I have a few minutes to myself.
Nova stands from the sandbox and hurries up the stairs to the slide. She doesn’t look the least bit afraid. When she’s playing, she appears without a care in the world.
That’s how it should be.
Always.
“Is this seat taken?”
“Please,” I say and gesture to the empty seat beside me on the bench.
Her two girls tear off for the swings. They’re quite a bit older than Nova, but still in elementary school. At least they would be if it wasn’t summer.
Luca is lucky enough to be involved in summer camp during the weekdays, which keeps him out of the house and busy with other kids his age.
“I’m Paige,” I say, introducing myself to the brunette seated beside me.
“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?