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And I think it’s rubbing off on me, because I want to be that way, too—a forward-looking person who doesn’t let the past shackle them down.
But I have to talk about it first with him, no?
I have to strip myself bare and actually let him see a part of me that even I’m scared about showing to anyone.
“Good evening, punk.” An older male voice says from the door in a very distinctive, proper British accent.
Before I can wonder who it is, Knox’s next word answers my unasked question. “Dad?”
28
ANASTASIA
Did he just say “Dad”?
My heart thumps against my ribcage and my throat is drying with each passing second. I quickly button my shirt—Knox’s shirt—and I’m grateful it’s big enough to cover my nakedness.
Before I can run to hide into the bedroom or even the kitchen, Knox reappears in the living room accompanied by a much older man who’s probably in his early fifties. He’s wearing a sharp three-piece suit and has light blond stubble covering his jaw.
Two women are on either side of him, both are shorter than him and look nothing alike. One is slim, blonde, and tall like my cousin, Rai, and the other is petite, wears her black hair short, and has tiny features.
Knox’s twin sister.
I don’t even have to guess. Although her eyes are a darker brown and she’s way shorter than him, the look in her eyes is similar to his.
A little bit haunted.
A little bit odd.
And just…deep.
It’s as if they’ve both seen the world and didn’t like it, but they won’t give it the satisfaction of leaving. They both have this determination of “I’m here to stay.”
And as much as that fascinates me, I don’t have the luxury of feeling it right now, because I’m half-naked. In front of who I assume are Knox’s dad and sisters.
Assume, as in, I stalked them on social media when I first came to W&S and met Knox again.
What? I had to look out for myself.
Is it too late to actually disappear? Because I feel like I’m about to catch fire from the way three pairs of eyes are watching me intently.
“Did we come at a bad time?” his father asks with a slight smirk.
“Who are you?” the blonde asks with more amusement than judgment.
I rub my foot against the back of my calf. “I…uh…”
“No one you should worry about.” Knox strides to my side and even though he’s not touching me, his presence brings much-needed comfort.
“Nonsense,” his father says with the same tilt of his mouth. “My name is Ethan Steel. I’m Knox’s father. This is Teal, his twin sister, and this one is Elsa, his other sister. What’s your name?”
“J-Jane.”
I bite my lip after the stutter. Why the hell did I want to say “Anastasia” just now? It doesn’t make sense when I should be keeping my other identity completely under wraps.
“Nice to meet you, Jane.” Elsa leaves her father’s side and takes my hand in a handshake. “I can’t wait to hear all about you.”
“Or…” Knox stands between us and tactfully pushes her back. “You can take the next plane back to London. Take Dad and T with you while you’re at it.”
