Chapter 5
1112 Words
Josie POV
I lifted my chin, but it was hard to drown out the shiver in my voice.
“I-I am the nanny. I was scheduled to arrive this evening.”
“No, the nanny I hired was a forty-year-old woman. I’m not looking for a teenager.”
I frowned. “I’m not a teenager.”
He scowled. “It doesn’t matter. You came to the wrong house, then.”
“This is the Anderlyn residence, isn’t it?”
“Yeah…”
“Then I’m in the right place.”
“Ugh, then you’re fired. I’ll have the agency bring over the right nanny this time.”
My heart sank to my stomach. No. I can’t be fired. I’ve automatically been fired from two jobs. I can’t be an outcast again.
“No, no, you can’t fire me. I’m already here, and you need a nanny.”
“That’s not a convincing argument.” He crossed his arms.
“I’m great with kids,” I said, almost questioning myself.
This conversation was going downhill fast. Just then, the little girl bounced into the room. Her stare of annoyance and irritation with my tardiness in making her pancakes melted as soon as she realised her Father was in the room.
“You’re back, Daddy!” She threw her arms around him. “You got me the best nanny ever!”
What? I thought.
Conan glanced at me and then at his six-year-old daughter. “I did.”
She beamed and nodded her head. “Are you going to read me a bedtime story?”
“Uhh… sure. Where’s your aunt Bree?”
Marie Charlotte shrugged.
Conan groaned. “Go upstairs, Charlotte. I’ll change and we’ll hang out.”
She smiled. “Okay, Daddy.”
“And you. We’ll talk about your employment tomorrow.”
Conan marched out of the kitchen, leaving a trail of water behind him. Charlotte stalked towards me like a victorious soldier from battle.
“Make the pancakes before I tell my Daddy,” she threatened.
“He wouldn’t approve of you having pancakes for dinner,” I crossed my arms.
She narrowed her eyes and smiled. “I’ll tell him you’re a bad nanny who stole my teddy bear like the other six nannies, and you’ll be gone in the morning.”
I hadn’t been here long to steal her stuffed animal! The point was that she was in charge here, and I had to play along with her.
“Make the pancakes!” She stomped her little foot and marched out.
I lost this round too.
“Damn it.”
***
The good thing about this house was that it had warm rooms, so I didn’t nearly freeze to death in my room last night. The bad side was that Charlotte was a tyrant! She had her Father wrapped around her finger.
She demanded ice cream for breakfast, but it was raining outside, and she demanded I invent a way to make hot ice cream. I might not last in this job.
Mrs Dare sent me a message last night to remind me to take extra care of her granddaughter, and Charlotte was her only family left in the world. I realised Charlotte’s Mother likely passed away.
This girl didn’t have a Mother figure in her life, and her Dad was… a piece of work.
I was in the kitchen trying to figure out how to make hot ice cream when Conan strolled in. He wasn’t dripping wet like last night. He tied it into a bun on his head. He planted a box of matchsticks on the counter and paralysed me on the spot with his intense and sparkly eyes.
“The agency said the nanny I requested was sent to another family,” he said.
I mentally breathed a sigh of relief. This had Mrs Dare’s doing written all over it.
“See, I’m not a creep,” I said sheepishly.
“I don’t know that,” he deadpanned.
I swallowed hard. “Well, then, quiz me. Obviously, I’ve never been arrested or anything otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-three.”
“Full name?”
I shut my eyes and cringed. I never used my full name. “Josie Hart.”
“Rank?” He stepped closer.
“Beta Female.”
I wanted to share as little information about myself as possible.
“Who’s your Alpha?”
I wasn’t sure I could share that information. If he decided to look me up, he would know I was a suspended bodyguard and an outcast.
“Alpha Tristan,” I lied.
His shoulders relaxed, and he nodded. “He’s a good guy.”
“So am I staying?” I smiled.
“We’ll see how long you’ll last.”
My smile fell instantly. I didn’t like the sound of that.
“Conan!” A smooth male voice shouted.
Conan turned around as a tall, fit man with silver hair falling over his forehead marched in.
“There’s something you’ve got to see.” He paused when he noticed an intruder in the room. “Oh, who’s this?” he grinned.
“What do I need to see?” Conan asked.
“Don’t be rude. We have a guest.”
“Hi… I’m Josie, I’m the new nanny,” I said, waving awkwardly.
His eyes lit up like fireworks on New Year's. “As in permanent residence?”
“We’ll see,” Conan scoffed.
“Come on, those old bags couldn’t keep up with Charlotte anyway. It’s a good thing you’re fit. Very fit.” He winked.
Conan scowled. “My office now. Tell your wolf to sit down.”
Silver Hair grinned. “I look forward to getting to know you, Josie. Don’t let me down.”
He strolled out of the kitchen with a mischievous smirk plastered on his face. Okay, that was awkward. While we were alone, Conan stalked towards me. Instinctively, I should have remained standing. I wasn’t easily intimidated, yet I stumbled backwards until my ass hit the counter.
“I guess it’s a good thing you’re young and ranked highly. If anything happens, I know you’ll be able to protect yourself and Charlotte.”
My mind went to the gun in my suitcase and the extensive years of training I had.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I can.”
“Don’t get me wrong. Nothing’s going to happen. Anderlyn’s a fortress no one gets in unless I want them to, but they won’t leave alive.”
I felt his words in my bones. I got in, but would I be able to get out?
- Writer
