THE BILLONAIRES NANNY

CHAPTER 4

The morning after the break-in, the entire estate was on high alert. Security personnel were stationed at every entry point, and the staff moved about with a heightened sense of caution. Olivia had barely slept, and judging by the dark shadows under Alexander’s eyes, he hadn’t either. Emma, however, had been exhausted enough to sleep through most of the night, though she clung to Olivia more than ever.

Breakfast was a quiet affair. Emma sat beside Olivia, absently pushing her food around on her plate, her usual cheerful chatter replaced with silence. Alexander sat across from them, sipping his coffee, his gaze distant.

Margaret finally broke the silence. “Emma, sweetheart, would you like to go outside for a bit after breakfast? Some fresh air might do you good.”

Emma looked up at Olivia rather than answering Margaret. Olivia offered her a reassuring smile. “I’ll come with you.”

Emma nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Alexander set his coffee cup down with a soft clink. “Stay within the grounds. I don’t want either of you too far from the house.”

There was no room for negotiation in his tone, and Olivia didn’t argue. She knew he was worried. He had every right to be.

An hour later, Olivia and Emma strolled through the gardens, the bright morning sun casting warm golden light over the estate. Emma held tightly to Olivia’s hand, her grip firmer than usual.

“Will that bad man come back?” Emma asked suddenly, her voice small.

Olivia knelt down so they were at eye level. “Alexander has made sure the house is very safe now. He won’t let anything happen to you.”

Emma hesitated. “And you?”

Olivia’s heart clenched. “Me neither. I’ll always keep you safe.”

Emma studied her for a moment before throwing her arms around Olivia’s neck. Olivia hugged her tightly, silently vowing to do whatever it took to protect the little girl.

From the house, Alexander stood at the window, watching them. His hands were clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable. He had thought hiring Olivia was just another logical decision—a necessity. But now, he wasn’t so sure. There was something about the way Emma clung to her, the way Olivia looked at his daughter with such fierce protectiveness, that unsettled him in ways he hadn’t expected.

Margaret approached him from behind. “She’s good for Emma.”

He exhaled. “Yes, she is.”

“And for you,” Margaret added, her tone pointed.

Alexander turned away from the window. “This isn’t about me.”

Margaret’s knowing gaze lingered on him before she simply nodded. “If you say so.”

That evening, Olivia was in the library, browsing through books for Emma’s bedtime story when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to find Alexander standing there, his expression as guarded as ever.

“Do you have a moment?” he asked.

Olivia set the book down. “Of course.”

He motioned toward the seating area, and she followed him. Once they were seated, he leaned forward slightly, his fingers laced together. “About last night... I should have told you the full extent of the threats sooner.”

She nodded. “You were protecting Emma. I understand.”

His jaw tightened. “But I put you at risk by not telling you everything.”

Olivia studied him carefully. “What exactly are we dealing with?”

Alexander exhaled. “I don’t know who’s behind it yet, but I have my suspicions. My business dealings haven’t always been smooth, and there are those who would want to see me fall. The break-in… it wasn’t random.”

Olivia’s stomach tightened. “So Emma wasn’t just caught in the middle. She was the target.”

He hesitated before nodding. “Yes.”

A chill ran down Olivia’s spine. “What do we do now?”

“I’ve hired additional security, but I need you to be extra cautious. If anything feels off, you tell me immediately.”

Olivia nodded. “I will.”

He met her gaze, something unspoken lingering between them. “Thank you,” he said softly. “For being here. For Emma.”

Olivia felt warmth spread through her chest, but she simply nodded. “She means a lot to me.”

Alexander studied her for a moment longer before standing. “Goodnight, Olivia.”

“Goodnight,” she whispered.

As he walked away, Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger. And for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t sure if she was ready for what was coming.