Page 6 of Girl Anonymous

“She was,” Maarja said. “She is. She—”Wait.How had Mrs. Arundel known awomanhad given them their foster home?

Dante’s phone squawked like a chicken laying an egg. He scowled and looked at the screen. “Mère, did you change my ringtones again?”

Mrs. Arundel laughed with delight. “You’re too serious, always busy, you never make cheer. You need a little levity in your life.”

“Chickens are not levity. They’re food and feathers.”

Maarja did not grin at his irritation, but it was a near thing.

“I need to make a call.” He kissed his mother. “Are you going to be all right by yourself?”

“Of course, dear. The girls will be here with me, and after that, I want a moment alone to say goodbye to my beloved book nest.” She patted his cheek. “Take that unfriendly behemoth with you.”

“Nate isn’t supposed to be anyone’s friend. He’s my bodyguard.” Dante placed his hands on the arms of her chair and looked into her eyes. “I should insist on getting a bodyguard for you, too.”

“Once I’m in Montana, there’ll be no need. I’ll miss the city, though…” Mrs. Arundel sighed.

Maarja exchanged glances with Alex. Yes, she knew the Arundels were scary people, but who would threaten a sweetheart like Mrs. Arundel? She gave Dante the side-eye.

What had he done to cause trouble?

“Movers, are you almost done?” he asked.

Movers.How charming. He’d already forgotten their names. “Yes, sir,” Maarja said. Two could play that game. “This is the last piece.”

“Another ten minutes at most?” He wasn’t estimating. He was demanding.

Maarja looked at Alex, who was even now carefully placing Mrs. Arundel’s bubble-wrapped and boxed treasures onto the luggage cart.

Tight-lipped, Alex nodded. She was done talking to him.

“That’s right, sir,” Maarja said. “Ten minutes.”

“Make sure you pack everything.” He picked up the small box with the tiny Murano glass pitcher and handed it to Maarja. “Especially this.La Bouteille de Flammehas special meaning to our family.”

CHAPTER 3

Maarja accepted it. “Yes, sir. I know.”

Dante shot her one of those dark glances that slashed at her presumption, or maybe warned her of the danger she courted with her admission of knowledge.

Alex interceded again. “Everything will be safe in our keeping.”

He nodded, but he didn’t take his menacing gaze from Maarja.

She smiled brightly. “Measuring me for a coffin?”

Alex moaned softly.

He answered without an ounce of humor. “That’s the undertaker’s job. I’m involved with the other end of the death business.”

“Dear boy!” Mrs. Arundel rubbed her fingers on her temple as if he gave her a headache.

Dante inclined his head to Maarja, walked through the elevator foyer, yanked open the stairway door, and descended the steps.

When the door slammed behind him, Mrs. Arundel said brightly, “Do hurry, young ladies. I do love this room and while my darling Dante will make everything the same in my new home, I’m feeling sad and, of course, I don’t want him to know.”

“I’ll do it foryou,” Alex mumbled.

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