“Nah, what you said is true.”
“Still, I didn’t want to offend you.”
I laugh. “It’s hard to offend me about Parker.”
Unless Tabitha is involved.
I swallow my own retort and run the faucet, sticking my hands beneath the cool stream of water. The sensation soothes me enough to say, “I’m glad you’re here. There’s something I need to tell you.”
“I’m listening.”
Footsteps clap past the bathroom door. I wait until they retreat to whisper, “You’re my half sister. Your mother got pregnant while she was working for us and…” I swallow hard while shutting off the faucet, plunging the room into silence. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“I see. That’s interesting.”
“You’re taking this awfully well.”
She turns around and leans against the sink while tucking her hands into her pockets. “I suspected it for a long time.”
I nodded slowly. “Ah, I see.”
“And my mother confirmed it. She’s always been so sweet on you.”
“I just figured that was your mother being herself.”
She chuckles lightly. “Well, that’s true, too. She could afford a lot more than a live-in nurse typically earned, so it always made me wonder what she was doing on the side.” She pauses for a second while shrugging. “Didn’t realize I was the one bringing in the big bucks.”
“I guess I should have known with us having the same eyes.”
“We do, don’t we?”
We turn to the wall of mirrors at the same time. Save for the golden-brown hair and light brown-orange freckles that speckle her skin, she could be my twin.
“A black wig and some foundation would turn you into me,” I say with amusement. “Though I wouldn’t wish this life on you, Evelyn. I’ve been staying away from you publicly so you won’t get harmed.”
“A secret like this?” She snorts. “It won’t be buried for long, Alex. You know that.”
I sigh. “I know.”
“I might have our father’s eyes, but I don’t have his inclination for the crime world. I’m a simple girl, and you know that.”
“I just need you to understand that things could get sticky for you.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think so.”
“This isn’t something you can think your way out of. I speak from experience.”
“I wasn’t saying I would do that. I was just saying how I’m going to avoid it.”
I laugh dryly. “Evelyn, you’re a Moretti—and that means trouble.”
“Not if I can help it.”
“This isn’t something you can help, Evelyn!”
My voice reverberates loudly off the walls, causing me to cringe. Fuck me; I’m really starting to lose my temper lately. If I’m not careful, I’m going to hurt someone who really matters.
Like my half sister.