Exposure - Kelly Moran Page 0,43

his cheek. "Very welcome, Miss Aubrey."

At that moment, Aubrey turned toward Raven. The girl froze in place. Her face was pale with freckles sprinkled over her nose and cheeks. Her eyes were a bright aqua blue, shades lighter than Noah's, and she was very thin for her height. When she turned to Noah, Raven's gaze lowered to her neck, where red, twisted scars ran from her ear down until disappearing under the nightgown. Her hand had the same scarring, indicating it covered the whole arm.

Burn scars.

Noah smiled and wrapped his arm around the girl's shoulders, dragging her to his side. "Aubrey, I'd like you to meet Raven. Raven, this is my niece, Aubrey."

Niece. But Noah had no siblings.

They stared at each other for a beat before Raven realized she might be scaring her. "Hi, there! It's so nice to finally meet you."

Aubrey looked up at Noah. "But you never bring strangers." The words were once again slurred, and her mannerisms indicated someone much younger than she looked.

Noah's expression was pained, but he kissed her hair. "She's not a stranger, my love. She's very special, just like you, and I'd like you to be friends."

Aubrey regarded her before she stepped out from under Noah's arm and crushed Raven in a hug. "I like friends."

"Me, too." She wrapped her arms around the girl, careful not to squeeze too hard for fear she'd break her. She smelled like baby powder, innocence. Typically, Raven wasn't fond of touch, but something about the girl called to her.

Raven met Noah's gaze over Aubrey's shoulder. Tenderness and apprehension filled his eyes. This moment obviously meant a lot to him.

He rubbed his neck and nodded at Max. The bodyguard stepped back outside and brought in their luggage, Aubrey holding Raven in her death grip hug the whole while. Max moved past them and into the hall, their bags in his hands.

Noah sighed. "Come on, my love. It's getting late. How about we get Frances to whip you up a snack and then it's off to bed."

She let go of Raven and turned to him. "But you just got here."

He ran a hand down her soft waves. "We'll be here all weekend. Lots of fun to be had."

"Really?"

"Cross my heart." He swallowed, glancing at Raven and quickly away. "Scoot. We'll be down in a few minutes." When they were alone in the room, he kept his gaze down. "She's excited. Let's get her calmed down and we can talk."

After the five dollar tour, Raven could do little more than gawk. The house had a library, solarium, indoor pool, gym, and media room, all in addition to the observation deck from which they'd arrived. The live-in caretakers, Frances and Jeff Brisbin, were in their mid-sixties and regarded her with friendly reserve. There was more security throughout the house, who never engaged her outside of a nod.

The living room, den, and kitchen were all front-facing, with floor to ceiling spectacular views of the lake, spring, and forest. Massive wood beams in the slanted ceilings, hardwood floors with decorative rugs, stone fireplaces with raw-cut mantles??t was a decorator's dream. Even the candles and throw pillows were tasteful, the kitchen a mix of slate and stainless steel. The second and third floors weren't just bedrooms, but suites, each one complete with its own bath, kitchenette, and living room. The house was bigger than a freaking hotel!

Frances gave Aubrey a snack and dished out some soup for her and Noah, since they never did get dinner. Though Raven didn't have the stomach for food, she ate to be polite. While she did, she watched Noah and Aubrey together from across the long dining table big enough for a White House press conference. Aubrey was a delightful, if not somewhat lonely child, who obviously loved her uncle a great deal. In turn, Noah was crafty and funny around her, illustrating none of his usual intensity.

More questions than answers pushed around in her skull, shoving for space and attention. He had a girl--a niece supposedly--hidden away in the middle of nowhere, who had burn scars on her arm. Though the girl seemed educated, she was socially awkward. Bodyguards were everywhere, milling about. The house had a security system that could trump NASA. There was a panic room, for goodness sake!

After an hour, Noah sensed her growing unease and bid everyone a goodnight, claiming they'd tuck Aubrey in for the evening. Raven didn't know whether to be relieved or worried she'd finally get her answers.

Just who the