Page 6 of Filthy Rich Single Daddies

I take a step forward, positioning myself between her and the kids. I can feel Lucas and the little girl huddling behind me, their small frames pressed close to my back.

"That’s enough," I snap, my voice as sharp as the spade in my hand. "You don’t get to talk to them like that."

The nanny’s face reddens, her voice rising to a shrill pitch. "How dare you interfere! I’m their nanny, and I—"

"And you’re supposed to care for them," I cut her off, my anger bubbling dangerously close to the surface. "Not berate them until they’re scared to breathe wrong."

I can feel my heart pounding, memories of my own childhood threatening to surface. I push them down, focusing on the here and now. These kids need me.

"You have no right," the nanny sputters, but I can see the uncertainty creeping into her eyes.

I lean in close, my voice low and dangerous. "I have every right to protect children from abuse. Verbal or otherwise."

The nanny's face contorts with rage. "Abuse? You have no idea what you're talking about!"

I raise an eyebrow.

Her jaw works furiously, but no sound comes out. She throws her hands up in exasperation. "You know what? Fine! I’m done. I quit!" She glares at the kids one last time. "Let’s see howyouhandle these little monsters!"

As she storms off, the tension in the air lingers like a storm cloud. I turn to face Lucas and the little girl, their tear-streaked faces breaking my heart.

"Hey, it's okay," I say, softening my voice. "She's gone now."

Lucas, always protective, wraps an arm around the little girl. She leans into him, her big eyes scanning me. “Miss Deveraux?”

“How about you call me Miss Skylar when we’re outside of school? Does that sound fair?”

“Y—yes.”

“Good. And, who might you be, sweetheart?”

“Elodie.”

"What...what happens now?" he asks, his voice small.

I run a hand through my hair, my mind racing. What the hell am I supposed to do? I didn’t think this through. But I can't just leave them.

"Now," I say, trying to inject confidence into my voice, "we call your dad. And maybe have a sweet treat. Let’s see what you guys have inside."

Their faces light up, and I feel a small surge of triumph.Okay, Skylar, I think to myself.

As we walk toward the house, Elodie slips her tiny hand into mine. The gesture catches me off guard, and I feel a warmth spreading through my chest.

"You're not going to leave us, are you?" she asks, her big blue eyes searching my face.

I swallow hard, pushing down the panic rising in my throat. "No, sweetie. I'm not going anywhere."

Chapter 3

Austin

The steering wheel creaks under my white-knuckled grip as I pull into the driveway, my jaw clenched so tight I can hear my teeth grinding. Fucking perfect. A million-dollar deal hanging in the balance, and our nanny decides to up and quit without warning. What the hell kind of timing is that? It’s like the universe has a vendetta against me. The thought makes my blood simmer, the tension in my neck rising like a live wire.

Miss Deveraux's hurried explanation over the phone still rings in my ears, but I can't shake the feeling that there's more to the story, that the skinny-dipping teacher isn’t being entirely truthful. Her words were all rushed, flying out of her mouth, like she was trying to cover something up. Something doesn’t add up, but I’ll deal with that later. Right now, the clock’s ticking, and I’ve got to keep it together.

I’m not the kind of guy to make snap judgments. Okay, maybe I am. But something about her doesn’t sit right—whether it’s the way she dodged my questions or the fact that I caught her naked in my pool before finding out she was teaching my son. I don’ttrust her, and I’m damn sure not buying whatever story she’s selling.

I storm through the front door, the air in the foyer thick with an electric charge that matches the storm brewing inside me. My footsteps echo like thunderclaps, reverberating off the vaulted ceilings as I make my way into the house. "What the hell is going on here?" I bellow, my voice bouncing off the walls. I don’t give a shit if any of the staff is around to hear it. I need answers.

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