Page 106 of Ordinary Secrets

“Can’t you at least think about it?” I don’t give a shit that I sound desperate. At this point, I’m willing to get on my hands and knees and beg if it means she’ll say yes.

Frowning, she crosses her arms over her chest. “What’s therealreason you want to move? For a ‘fun experience’ is not going to cut it.”

Coming clean about everything was on the list of options I came up with to get us outta this mess. It didn’t take me long to decide against it. If I tell Arella the truth, she’s gonna run, andI’ll lose her. Then she’ll definitely be in danger. I’ve got a feeling that if I’m not the one who takes Arella to Victor within the week, he’ll send someone to replace me, and I doubt that person would hesitate like I am.

Arella lowers her tone and cups my cheek. It only settles half the anxiety swirling inside me. “Honey, are you in some kind of trouble?”

“I can explain everything once we get to Paris.”

She drops her hand from my face. “Why not now?”

“Because... then you might not come with me.” I hang my head low. “Actually, you might never want to see me again.”

A loudpfftechoes throughout the bathroom. “Well, that just makes me want to pack up and head out right now, doesn’t it?”

Once it’s safe to, I have full intention of telling Arella everything. How the way we met wasn’t an accident, how the Royals faked her death when she was three, and everything about the Zordi world. Is it a huge risk? Of course, but I want to be done lying to her. My gut tells me she’ll be mad at first but, in the end, she will understand.She has to...

With her damp hands, she rubs her face and lets out a little groan. “So, let me get this straight. You’re saying that whatever secret you’re hiding from me might make me leave you, but you want me to move across the world with you before you tell me?”

I guess when she puts it that way, it sounds bad. I’d tell her now if I had a guarantee that she wouldn’t freak out and run away. I can’t keep her safe if she leaves me. If we’re in another country, at least she’ll be safe while she processes all the stuff I have to tell her.

I nod firmly. “Yes.”

She throws her hands up. “That makes zero sense!”

“I know, babe, but that’s just the way it is.” I reach for her, but she shoves me away, stinging me deeply. Then she standsand exits the Jacuzzi, grabbing a towel to wrap around herself as she storms out.

I’m left feeling like my entire world is crumbling.

32

TREY

Throughout the night,I think it over. Maybe asking her to move to Europe with me was a little rash. I should have come up with something better. Sadly, with my limited time, it was the best solution I could think of. I just need to get Arella somewhere safe, and Paris seemed like my highest chance of getting her to say yes. My other idea was to ask her to bunker down with me in my parents’ invisible safe house, but since I still can’t find it, I tossed that idea right out the window.

In the morning, the air between us feels stale. The rose petals sprawled out all over the carpet are a reminder of a night gone wrong. Neither of us mentions Paris during breakfast. I doubt bringing it up again this soon will benefit me anyway. As for Arella, she acts as if last night never happened.

As I place our dirty dishes into the dishwasher, Arella mentions going back to her apartment for the weekend. The thought makes me grind my teeth.

“Babe, I still want you to stay the night with me—every night.”

With a smile, she cocks her head to the side. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”

I nod, trying not to look too eager in case she declines my request.

“I don’t know. You’re kind of hard to live with.”

I jerk back a step, my hands still wet. “How so?”

“You’re messy. You leave your dirty dishes in the bedroom. You toss your smelly socks all over the house. You make too much noise, and there’s just not enough space for me here.”

What?“I don’t do any of the bullshit you just listed. If anything, I’m tidier than you!”

The corners of her mouth curve upward.

I roll my head back, half grunting, half relieved. “I never know when you’re fucking with me.”

She laughs adorably. “It’s too easy.”

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