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Sophia’s smile widens as I step toward her and take her into my arms. Her frame molds perfectly into mine, like we were made for each other.
“I’m sorry I’ve been in here all day,” I murmur. “Some things came up.”
“Like some things with David?” She peeks up at me.
I nod.
“What was on the hard drive, Xan? I can’t imagine he’d attack Brooke over personal stuff.”
“Personal stuff?”
“Yeah. You know, like sex tapes. If Brooke is into that kind of thing. Or maybe David filmed them without her permission.”
“I have no desire to think about my sister’s sex life.”
“So it isn’t something personal.”
“Sophia,” I say, her name a warning on my lips. But her gaze hardens.
“Just tell me something. Anything, Xan.”
Tracing my fingers up and down her spine, I sigh. Dominic is right—I need to tell her something so she doesn’t try to break into my office again. Or worse. “I can’t tell you much. Just stay away from Tristan tomorrow, okay? He’s dangerous.”
Her eyes widen, and I feel her entire body shudder. “Tristan? He’s involved with whatever’s going on with David and Brooke?”
“That’s all you’re getting out of me, little bird. Unless you’re willing to come clean.” It’s not the truth, but the lie comes out smoothly. Regardless of whether Sophia comes clean or not, I can’t tell her the whole truth.
As far as I’m concerned, she’ll never know what I’ve done.
Her gaze falls to my chest, and her shoulders droop. She’s trying to hide it—the fear—but I can still see it behind her eyes. “Let’s just eat,” she mumbles.
Taking her hand in mine, I lead her down to the kitchen. Anna has food set out on the counter for us, and I give her a thankful smile.
After sitting on one of the island stools, Sophia barely even picks at her food. Her leg is bouncing under the counter as she takes a sip of water. “Do you have more work to do today?” she asks.
“I’m all yours.”
“I want to go on a walk with you. In the woods.”
Interesting. Sophia never was much of a nature person. I suppose there are lots of ways a person can change in five years.
“All right,” I say. “We’ll go on a walk as soon as we’re done eating.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SOPHIA
I GRIP Xander’s hand as we head up a path surrounded by trees. The leaves shelter us from the sun, but it’s still warm.
“You don’t have security cameras out here, right?” I turn to face him.
He chuckles. “Are you planning on doing something you don’t want caught on camera?”
My cheeks heat, but I roll my eyes. “Answer the question.”
“No security cameras.” Pulling me in close, he brushes a few strands of my hair out of my face. “It’s just you and me, little bird.”
His touch sends tendrils of electricity through me, but I step back. Not now.
