Page 10 of Ruthless Daddies

Once she’s gone, I turn back to find Nikolai watching me, his arms crossed, that easy, knowing smile still playing at his lips.

“Something on your mind?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

I hesitate, not wanting to make too much of it, but I let out a small sigh. “I think…I think Marta doesn’t like me much,” I say.

He chuckles softly, shaking his head. “Don’t take it personally. Marta’s protective of the kids, maybe more so than anyone else in this house.”

“Protective?” I repeat. “I can see that…but it feels like more than that.”

Nikolai’s expression softens, and he nods thoughtfully. “She’s been with us a long time. She actually came over from Elena’s family when Ivan married her.”

The mention of Elena catches me off guard, and I glance at him with renewed curiosity. “Elena. That’s Ivan’s late wife, right?”

Nikolai’s gaze shifts, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression, but he nods. “Yes. Elena was…well, she was everything to Ivan. And to the kids. Marta was close to her, almost like family. When Elena…passed, Marta stayed on.”

“She must have meant a lot to her.”

Nikolai’s smile fades, replaced by something quieter, deeper. “She did. And Marta—she’s loyal. To Elena’s memory, to Ivan, to the kids. She takes it seriously, making sure they’re safe. That’s why she might come off as…a bit standoffish. She’s just protective of her own.”

The way he says it, there’s a respect there, an understanding that speaks to the bond within this family.

“I see,” I say softly, glancing toward the hallway where Marta disappeared with the kids. “It makes sense. I just…I want her to see that I’m here for the right reasons too.”

Nikolai’s smile returns, and he gives me a warm, reassuring look. “Give it time. Marta may not be easy to win over, but she’llsee it eventually.” He tilts his head, his voice softening. “And for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing just fine.”

“Well, I’m trying,” I manage, feeling the blush rise to my cheeks again. “But if you have any tips, I’m all ears.”

“Oh, I’ve got plenty of tips,” he says, his voice dropping just a little, a playful glint in his eyes. “But I’m not sure they’re all about the kids.”

My face heats up, and I laugh, half-nervous, half-amused. “I’ll take whatever advice I can get.”

He chuckles, a low, rich sound.

“Well, here’s one,” he says, his tone shifting to something softer. “Don’t try too hard. Luka’s the type who likes to come around on his own. Pushing him will only make him withdraw more.”

I nod, absorbing the advice. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

The roomthey’ve given me is beautiful, far more luxurious than anything I could have imagined. It’s spacious, with high ceilings and elegant crown molding, painted a soft, calming shade of blue. A plush, oversized bed sits against one wall, with crisp white linens and a thick comforter that looks like it could swallow me whole. On one side, there’s a little seating area, a velvet armchair and a low table with a small vase of fresh flowers.

I’m curled up on the bed, phone to my ear, as Jenna’s voice crackles through the line.

“You have to tell me everything!” she says, her voice full of excitement. “You packed up and moved out so fast, we didn’t even get a chance to celebrate.”

I smile, feeling a pang of guilt. Jenna’s been my closest friend through thick and thin, and I left in such a hurry that we barely had time to say goodbye. “I know. It was all so last-minute. But how about this weekend? We can meet up in the city, maybe grab a drink somewhere?”

“Deal. And I know just the place,” Jenna says, excitement creeping into her voice. “There’s this club everyone’s been raving about. The kind of place that’s loud and dark, with drinks that cost too much and music that makes it impossible to think.”

“Sounds perfect,” I say, laughing.

“So, what’s it like? Are they treating you okay? And, more importantly, is this paycheck really as amazing as you said?”

I chuckle, relaxing a little. “Yes, it’s all real, and it’s honestly…overwhelming. I’ve only been here a day, and it feels like I’ve been dropped into a completely different world.”

“Yeah, well, you basically moved into a mansion with your mysterious billionaire employers,” Jenna says, laughing. “Come on, spill! I need details.”

I lean back, tracing my finger over the intricate stitching on the comforter. “Honestly, I don’t know too much about them yet. They’re…private. But they seem powerful.”

“Powerful? What do you mean?” Jenna’s tone is playful, but there’s a hint of curiosity beneath it.

---