Page 36 of Cruel Secrets

Every fiber of my being is screaming at me to run right now. To scoop Bianca up and sprint as far and as fast as I can.

“I’ll do what I have to.” Noah smiles like I should understand, like I should believe that he only has my best intentions at heart.

Unfortunately for you, I’m not stupid either.

“No. You don’t get to keep me locked away. I know that you’re trying to protect us, but you can’t control my life.”

He looms over me, a darkness in his gaze that I don’t see often. “Watch me.”

For the first time in a long time, I get the sense that my brother is going to harm me. I don’t know if it’s going to be physical or not, but the feeling in my gut is telling me that I’m not safe here.

Bianca isn’t safe here.

I stare at the man I once thought would protect me with his life. I don’t know how true that is anymore.

Noah leans back, ruffling my hair the way he used to when I was a child. “I’m not going to station people outside your door, but the exterior of the house is guarded heavily. If you try anything, I’ll know.”

A pit opens in the bottom of my stomach, but I roll my eyes and scoop up Bianca when she tries to run by, doing my best to make him believe that I’m not scared of him even though I’m terrified. “I’m not going anywhere. It’s been a long day. I’m going to take Bia bean to bed, and then I’m going to spend some time painting.”

He eyes me for a moment before nodding and leaving through the back door, stopping to stare at the setting sun.

I take the stairs two at a time, eager to get to my room and figure out what to do.

Staying here doesn’t seem like an option anymore.

As I turn the corner, I bump straight into Zoe. She throws her hands out to steady me, making a funny face at Bianca.

Will she turn against me the same way Noah is?

Zoe grins when Bianca giggles. “Where are you going in such a hurry, Gia?”

“I’m getting the hell out of here.” I keep my tone low, glancing around to make sure that there isn’t anybody listening. “You should too. I don’t know what Noah is up to, but I doubt that it’s good.”

“I’m not going to go anywhere.” Zoe wiggles her fingers at Bianca before grabbing my arm and hauling me to my bedroom. She shuts the door behind us as I set Bianca down on the fluffy rug. “You have got to be kidding me, Gia. There is no way that you’re thinking of leaving. Not now. You know what he would do to you? He would think that you betrayed us all.”

“I have to do what’s best for Bia.”

“And you’re willing to give up everything that’s been provided for you?” Zoe scoffs, her eyes flashing with anger—the first sign of her temper bubbling to the surface. “Gia, you have to think about this. Leaving isn’t what’s best for Bianca. You just think that it’s going to solve your problems.”

“I can forge paintings anywhere,” I say, even though I know that losing Noah’s connections is going to cut me off at the knees. “I have money saved too.”

I’ve been waiting for a day like this, is what I don’t tell her. What I know I shouldn’t tell her.

Right now, I don’t think even my sister is on my side.

Her face pinches tighter, lips pressing into a thin line. “You’ve been planning this, then.”

Yes.

“Are you telling me that you don’t hide away a ton of money?” I shake my head, glancing at Bianca as she goes over to the little bin of toys and starts pulling out the few dolls Noah keeps at his house for her.

Zoe shrugs. “I do, but that’s not the point. The point is that you’re planning on turning your back on the family. And don’t tell me that you’re not. I can see it on your face.”

“Look, I need to get out of here. You know that sooner or later, one side is going to slaughter the other. I have to go, and I need you to let me. Please. Bianca needs to be away from this until everything settles down again. Please, Zo.”

I hate having to beg her, but if I have to fight with her about this, I will. Bianca comes first and Zoe has always had her own interests at heart. I can’t fault her for that, but it is making trying to get away more difficult.

She stares at me for a moment, her gaze searching mine before her hand wraps around the doorknob. “I’m going to go shopping. I want no part of this, but I’m not going to stop you either. Just promise me that you’re going to do everything you can to be safe.”

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