I couldn’t help snickering at that, easily picturing my beloved cousin insisting on teaching me everything she knew about walking and even running in heels.
“She’s only ten,” Dad grumbled. “Those deathtrap shoes can wait a little longer.”
“Hush, Jet,” Mom told him, patting him on the leg. “Let her have some fun. Besides, it isn’t the height of the shoes you should be worried about, but the length of the dresses she picks out.”
“Christ,” he muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Just take it back to New York with you, Anya. Maybe if I don’t see the clothes she buys, I won’t need blood pressure medication.”
Two hours later, we were in the air. From the time I was five, I’d been making this same trip to New York City in one of the Vituccis’ private jets. As soon as school let out for the summer until a few days before school started again for the fall term, I stayed with Ryan and his family. It was hard for me to come home again at the end of vacation, but at least I had school to distract me from the time I had to spend away from my favorite person.
Maybe I should have felt guilty because I barely missed my parents when I was in New York, but when I was home, I missed Ryan so badly, it was as if I left a physical part of myself behind with him.
We stopped at the airport in New York only long enough to refuel. A limo was already waiting for Ryan, and I was sad to say goodbye. It was always the hardest. I knew I could see him anytime I wanted with nothing more than a video call, but seeing him in person was so much better.
We got to Paris just as the sun was starting to rise over the city. I’d slept almost the entire flight, so I wasn’t the least bit tired as we checked in to our hotel suite on the top floor. The sitting room window overlooked the Eiffel Tower, and I stood on the balcony just staring at it for a long moment until Anya called me into the dining area where our breakfast was being served.
I dropped down into the chair across from hers and tore open a pastry while Anya poured herself a cup of coffee. The two of us had always gotten along well. I loved her as much as I loved Aunt Raven, and she treated me as if I were one of her children. I wasn’t sure I could have accepted it if the two of us didn’t like each other. It would have upset Ryan, and I would do anything to keep him from being unhappy.
“Nova…” Anya paused, and I glanced over to find her brows drawn together.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, wiping my fingers on a linen napkin.
She pushed her coffee cup and saucer away. Grasping my hand across the table, she gave it a firm squeeze. “This isn’t just a shopping trip.”
I didn’t know what she was about to say, but I knew deep in my gut—maybe all the way to my soul—that whatever she was about to tell me was going to change everything. And the truth was, I didn’t care. Whatever she said, whatever she needed me to do, I would do it. Because just as I knew whatever was supposed to happen on this trip was going to change me, I also knew that if I didn’t accept it, I would lose Ryan.
And that could never happen.
I could live without a lot of things. I didn’t need expensive clothes or devices like some kids I knew. I didn’t think I was a greedy or spoiled person.
But the one thing I knew I couldn’t live without was Ryan.
“Okay,” I told Anya, turning my hand over in hers and squeezing hers in return.
Her eyes brightened. “Nova, you’re very special to my son. And my son…” She swallowed hard. “He and Samara are my everything. I would give my life for either of my children. Ensuring their happiness is my only goal in life.”
“I know that.”
“You’re beautiful and tiny. Our enemies will think you’re vulnerable. The weak link. They will use you against Ryan, and I will not allow anyone to hurt him. I have to make you stronger. I have to teach you the skills to protect not only yourself, but him as well.”
My stomach twisted into knots. “Do…you want me to stop being his friend?” I whispered.
“No, no, l’vitsa,” she said with a shake of her head. “I would never try to stop your friendship. That would only hurt him. I love you as my own. But I can’t let you go on as you have. You need to know how to protect yourself.”
“Oh.” I let out a relieved breath. “Well, I do know a little. Aunt Raven and Mom have taught me a few things. I can shoot a gun, but I’m not all that good at it yet. And I know how to get out of a few holds.”
“Those are great things to know, but what I have in mind is a little more…in-depth.” She released my hand and sat back in her chair. Picking up her coffee, she took a slow sip before setting it down and turning the full force of her blue eyes on me. “When I was about your age, I was accepted into a special school. I learned things. Skills. It took me years to perfect them, but I don’t have years to teach them to you. I only have this week to start your training.”
A shiver traveled down my spine, but I stiffened it, sitting up straighter and giving her my full attention. “I will do whatever you need me to, Anya. Whatever will keep Ryan happy and safe.”
“It won’t be easy,” she warned. “And you can’t tell anyone about it. Not your parents, and especially not Ryan. If he knew… He might hate me for teaching you these things, Nova.”
“He could never hate you,” I assured her. “He loves you too much.”
“I know he loves me, but what he feels for you eclipses his emotions for anyone else, including me.” She took another drink of her coffee. “Promise me, right now, on your friendship with my son. Promise me you will never speak a word of what happens on these trips.”
I gulped. I’d never kept a secret from Ryan before. From others, sure, plenty of times, but I’d always told Ryan everything. But the gravity of the situation wasn’t lost on me. Anya was actually terrified of what would happen if he found out what she was going to teach me.
I knew how much his relationship with his mom meant to him, and vice versa. She was the adult he trusted the most. She was his safe place, just as he was mine.