Page 29 of Throne of Secrets

“Yeah.”

Her gaze dropped to the open sides of the new steps. “So, no handrails today?”

Ethan turned around and arched a brow. “You didn’t notice until now?”

“I was distracted by the, um, craftsmanship,” she mumbled, gesturing vaguely at the steps. “Youare the craftsmanship.”

Ethan's eyes crinkled at the corners. “I'mthe craftsmanship?”

“Yep.” Star backed toward the door. “So, I’m just gonna go inside now. You know. For safety reasons.”

Ethan shook his head with a laugh as she took a step into the kitchen, muttering about gravity, physics, and how the Star Curse had better not strike today.

Ethan gestured toward the new staircase. The steps were solid, secure, and built to last. “I know you want to keep the Victorian feel,” he said, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. “Once I get the railing up, I can check with some suppliers to find a design that matches the front porch railing. I'm no woodworker, so I won't try to replicate it myself. Safety over aesthetics.”

Star smiled, crossed her arms, and leaned against the door frame. “I have a source for the rails. If you give me the measurements, I can order them tonight.”

“Easy enough.”

She chewed her lip and added, “I was also thinking about replacing the front railing. The steps out there are a little weak.”

Ethan straightened, concern flashing across his face. “Weak? I didn’t notice any issues when I came up them this morning.”

“They’re nothing like the back steps were,” she said quickly, holding up her hands as if to physically stop his next offer. “Seriously, Ethan. I don’t need you to rebuild those. I’ve been avoiding the soft spots just fine.”

He gave her an amused look, lips quirking at the corners. “Avoidingsoft spots? That sounds like famous last words.”

She laughed softly. “Probably.”

His expression shifted. “Speaking of this morning—did you lock your doors after I left?”

Her smile vanished.

Shit.

The morning had been a whirlwind of emotions, and after Ethan had left, she’d floated up the stairs on a cloud of giddy bliss. Locking the doors? Yeah, that hadn’t even crossed her mind.

She grimaced and rubbed her fingers over her lips—the spot where Ethan had kissed her still tingled. “No.” Her shoulders sagged. “I … got distracted.”

Ethan’s eyes softened, but his voice remained firm. “Gotta get better about that, Star.”

“I know. I know.” She shifted uncomfortably. “Youlet someone kiss you like that and see if you remember mundane safety protocols.”

His slow, knowing smile made her stomach dip.

Ethan sat down on the steps and stretched his long legs out in front of him before patting the spot beside him. Star walked down the new steps and plopped next to him.

“So,” she said, leaning her elbows on her knees. “Tell me what you found out.”

Ethan shifted, resting back on his arms. The move stretched the muscles across his chest and shoulders, and Star barely managed to keep her jaw from unhinging.

“Well,” he said, “you were right about one thing.”

Her head snapped toward him. “Whichthing?”

“The men you overheard in the hardware store are connected to the Mafia.”

Her stomach lurched, and she sucked her lower lip into her mouth, biting down. “That'snot good,” she whispered. “That’s really not good, is it?”

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