Chapter 35
Don’t Lie
Deja
I sit here in this home office with my stomach bubbling. I’m interviewing with Mr. and Mrs. Donati. Their daughter is adorable.
“Uri, do you mind if I have a moment with Deja alone?” Valentina says as her husband, Uri, wraps up the interview.
“Sure, love. I’ll be upstairs when you are done.”
I like Uri’s blended accent. He sounds as if he’s from London, but there’s something else. Italian.
It’s a cross between a British and Italian accent. I love it. He gives off such a cool vibe, but make no mistake, the two come off as dangerous.
I’ve never been a nanny, but I’m trusting the process. When I arrived in America, there was a fully furnished apartment waiting for me and another for the twins.
I’m still confused about why they have followed me here. Callum seems to have an attitude about it, but Blair couldn’t be happier. I’ve been too nervous and confused to figure out what’s going on with Callum.
Then there’s this interview. Uri and Val have been kind, but I’m not sure if I should reveal anything about myself. Which is why I’ve been trying to hide my accent.
I think I’m doing a good job. I might have slipped once or twice, but it didn’t cost me the job. In fact, they hired me on the spot. I’m sort of excited.
“I like you. There’s something about you. However, I don’t like liars,” Val says once Uri is gone as she narrows her eyes at me.
“I haven’t lied,” I say as I bristle.
She walks around the desk and leans her bum against the front. Locking those blue eyes on me, she seems to stare right through me. I begin to get deflated.
Everything had been going so well. I fold my hands in my lap and curse my having listened to that old gypsy I’ve never met. She’s done nothing but ruin my life.
“Omission is a lie. You are leaving a lot out. It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me your secrets today, but you will come clean.”
She reaches to cup my chin and lift my head, then continues. “Trust is everything to me and Uri. You will have to learn to trust us as we will learn to trust you.”
“So you’re not taking back the offer?”
“No, I’m not. Like I said, there’s something about you. Your face, something about it is so familiar.”
“I don’t think we’ve ever met. I was born and raised in Ireland. I’ve lived in Scotland most of my adult life. For about a year, I lived in London.”
“No, that’s not it. It will come to me, Deja.”
Hearing her test my name on her tongue causes me to want her to remember. I want to help her remember. Val has something about her that draws you in.
“DJ. You can call me DJ,” I say.
She smiles. “Okay, DJ.”
I lick my lips nervously. I don’t think I’ve ever met her before, but she sounds so certain. Suddenly, her expression changes and she’s smiling at me.
“I’ll have someone show you to your room. Settle in. When you’re done, we can play with Vita for a while, let her get used to you. My gym buddy is gone.
“You will take her place. In the morning, I want you to come to train with me. Uri hates that I’m pregnant and still training”—she shrugs—“how else do we killers stay in shape, right, DJ?”
I sit with my mouth hanging open. Val winks at me and saunters out of the room. I stand and look after her.
“You’re the new nanny?” A tall lad says as he appears in the doorway.
He’s cute. Dark hair and bright gray eyes. He’s not as big and thick as Cole, but he’s not bad to look at.
“Aye, I mean, yes. I’m Deja.”
“Mattia, come.”
This one is a bit cocky, but I keep my mouth shut and follow him. I’m here, I’m in New York. I’m walking in my destiny.
Now to figure out who this Hush and Black Death are. I wonder if Cole knows I’m here. Ugh, never mind.
He can keep his cheating arse right wherever he is. I’ll be just fine without him.
“Damn.”
I turn to find Mattia watching as I walk by. His mouth open as he stares down at my bum. When he catches me catching him, he smiles and his dimples pop.
I smile back. Cole would lose his mind. I wink and sway my hips as the thought crosses my mind.
Brooklyn
I pick up the wedding invitation on Wyatt’s desk and stare at the name on it. Luca Donati. A grin comes to my lips.
I think it’s time I make my presence known to Donati and DJ. No one needs to get any ideas. The sooner it’s known who she belongs to, the better.
“You know the Donatis?” Wyatt asks as he nods to the invitation in my hand.
“Nope, but I’ll be coming to the wedding with you.” I shrug.
“What? It’s by RSVP.”
I grab a pen and the RSVP card then write three on the card for the number of guests coming. The invite was addressed to Wyatt and his wife, so I make sure to count Nellie. I then toss the card down.
“Bro, you know you’re damaged, right?”
“Tell me something I care about. How is Nick? Anything new on Bailey and Mark?”
“Yo, Wyatt. I need that file. Come on, man. I want to get out of here,” Noah calls through the office.
“Nick’s good. I’ll catch you up on the rest after I get this shit done. You coming out for drinks or heading out?”
“Jet’s waiting. I’ll have to catch you next time,” I say and pat him on the back.
“Yeah, I figured. Let me know if you need anything. It’s about to get real,” he says.
“See you at the wedding.”
He laughs. “Yeah, see you there.”