Page 10 of Of Lies and Shadows

“What—”

She cuts me off before I can finish.

“Those are their rooms.” She points to the two doors across from mine.

I nod, understanding now that she isn’t here for small talk.

She turns and walks back down the stairs. I follow.

“You’re not expected to handle any domestic tasks. No cleaning unless it’s cleaning up after the children. Which, I’ll warn you, is a full-time job on its own.”

We enter the kitchen. She stops in the middle of it, folding her hands in front of her.

“Caring for them will take up most of your time. They’re young and… spirited. But you’re young enough to keep up with them.” She pauses, then adds, “They’ll be starting school at the end of the summer. In two months, you’ll have abit more breathing room during the day.”

“Anything else I should know?” I ask.

“Yes.” Her eyes meet mine with quiet weight. “Stay out of their father’s way.”

I wish I could.“Of course,” I say instead.

She studies me for a second, then sighs. “Perfect. Let’s go meet the children. They’re in the sunroom.”

The sunroom. I almost laugh. What a soft name for such a cold place.

We walk down a long corridor until I hear them before I see them—high-pitched giggles, a little girl’s voice, followed by a boy’s more chaotic yell. Someone crashes into furniture.

“They’re not shy,” she murmurs dryly. “Be firm. Especially with the boy. He’s a menace.”

I can’t help but smile at that. “Yes, his father told me. He enjoys locking people in bathrooms and setting fires.”

She arches an eyebrow. “And that makes you smile? Maybe you do belong in this madhouse, after all. Ready?”

I nod, smoothing my blouse and taking one last breath before stepping into the lion’s den.

And then I see them.

Lucia is sitting on the floor with a crown of fake flowers in her hair and a small stack of picture books beside her. She looks up as I enter, wide brown eyes, so much like his, but softer. Quieter. Fragile in a way I wasn’t expecting.

And Alessio, currently standing on top of a couch like it’s a pirate ship, holding a wooden sword and screaming about dragons.

They both freeze when they see me.

I smile. It feels shaky, but I do it anyway.

“Hi,” I say gently. “You must be Lucia and Alessio. I’m Alice, your new nanny.”

Lucia blinks. Then whispers, “You talk like a princess.”

Alessio squints at me. “Can you fight a dragon?”

I pause, then smile wider.

“I’ve fought worse.”

Chapter Three

Dante

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