Page 127 of Nanny and the Beast

“I’m not scared of spi—” She squeals when I pick one of the buggers up. It starts moving in my hand, which makes Rosalie scream even harder.

“They’re motion-activated,” Emma says, pursing her lips together. “I didn’t think she would be afraid of the fake ones.”

James is giggling at the scene unfolding before him, having the time of his life as he bites into a chicken wing. With his clean hand, he picks up some of the spiders and hands them to me.

“Is that better?” I ask Rosalie.

She quietly slips into her seat. Emma’s eyes find mine over the table. She looks stunning in the candlelight. The golden glow falling on her skin makes her look like a goddess.

I have to tear my eyes away because we have an audience.

Helena’s eyes keep flicking between Emma and me. She looks way too pleased with the turn of events.

Needless to say, I don’t like it one bit.

Dinner is served. The kids regale me with stories of everything they’ve done tonight.

“Uncle, can I have my own horse?” Rosalie asks. “They make me very happy.”

Emma chokes on her spaghetti. Her eyes widen as she looks over at me.

“Rosalie, I don’t think—” she says.

“You can have a horse,” I say. “But you should know that having a pet is a lot of responsibility.”

“I promise I’ll take good care of it,” Rosalie says.

“Christmas is coming up,” I say. “If you’re a good girl until then, I’ll put in a word with Santa.”

“You’ll do that for me?” she asks, her blue-gray eyes glittering with excitement.

My heart squeezes in my chest. She looks so much like her mother right now. My little sister had a way of always getting what she wanted. She had a way of melting people’s hearts.

“Anything for you, sweetheart,” I reply.

She squeals and jumps off her chair. She launches straight into my arms. Bile rises up my throat. I try to focus my mind, but it’s a losing battle every time. I squeeze my eyes shut andremind myself it’s just my niece, but my body doesn’t know the difference.

Revulsion bubbles in my stomach, making everything sour.

I’m frozen, unable to wrap my arms around Rosalie. After a moment that feels like an eternity, she lets go of me. Her face falls when she sees the look on my face.

“Oh.” She tucks a strand of raven hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry, Uncle.”

“It’s fine,” I mutter.

It absolutely isn’t. There’s a hole in the center of my chest. And I’m the only one who knows I’m bleeding out.

Helena distracts the kids with a story. I stare at the uneaten food on my plate.

I’m not cut out for this. I’m not made for any of this.

I look up to find Emma watching me. Her food sits abandoned on her plate, too. Something about the way she’s looking at me tells me that she gets it. She sees all the broken parts of me. She sees all of my flaws, and her eyes tell me it’s all okay.

The noise in my head fades for a blissful moment.

And then it’s back, louder than ever.

“Excuse me,” I say.

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