Page 9 of Nanny and the Beast

I take a deep breath.

I think about Klaus Sinclair. In my head, I can still picture him in vivid detail, almost as if he’s someone I’ve known for years.

He’s cold, but is he heartless enough to take someone’s life?

“Don’t listen to her,” Olivia says. “My sister has an overactive imagination. She gets carried away by wild theories sometimes.”

“Well, I was turned down for the job anyway. Chances are, I’ll never see the man again.” As I say the words, a heavy weight settles in my stomach.

It doesn’t make any sense.

All we had was a brief, unpleasant interaction. Yet I can’t stop thinking about him.

“What about you guys?” I ask, clearing my throat. “What type of job are you considering?”

“Oh, we’re going to work at the club,” Ophelia says.

“The club?” I ask.

“Theclub?” Gigi says. When I stare back at her with a blank expression, she adds, “The gentlemen’s club?”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s the agency’s main business,” Ophelia explains. “It’s a high-end sex club.”

My cheeks flush with warmth.

“Oh,” I say. “Mrs. Hendrick’s didn’t tell me about the club.”

“We’re actually going for a tour tonight. Would you like to come with us?” Gigi asks.

My stomach is a ball of nerves. I never even considered anything like this.

“There are lots of positions open,” Gigi adds. “You can be a cocktail waitress, a dancer, or even part of the maintenance staff. You don’t have to be one of the house girls.”

“I don’t know if I would fit in there,” I say, glancing down at myself.

I’m a simple girl. I don’t belong in glitzy, glamorous places made for men like Klaus Sinclair.

I’m thinking about him again. I don’t understand why he keeps sneaking his way into my thoughts.

“Just come for the tour,” Gigi says. “You don’t have to decide anything right this second.”

I look at the three of them.

I never thought I would consider working at a gentlemen’s club.

But it’s nice to be around girls who are my age. I’ve always been busy with school and work, so I never had any close female friendships. And I know I just met these girls, but I have a good feeling about them.

“Am I even allowed to come on the tour?” I ask.

“Absolutely, you are, my dear,” Mrs. Hendricks says, stepping out of her office. She’s a stylish lady with a flirty, playful vibe. She’s also the owner of Hendrick’s agency. “I would have offered sooner, but you were nervous enough about the nanny position. Come on in, all of you. Let’s talk inside.”

We follow her into the office.

A sense of calm washes over me every time I enter this room. There’s a large fig tree in the corner. One of the walls is composed of built-in bookshelves filled with beautiful hardbacks. Everything is in shades of white, dark green, and luxurious brown.

We sit down in the lounge area.

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