Page 148 of Nanny and the Beast

“I wish we could skip school and do this every day,” James says. “I love it. It’s like the four of us are a family.”

Emma’s eyes meet mine and quickly look away.

“Uncle Klaus is your family,” she says. “And I’m here to take care of you. Now come on, let’s practice those spins.”

She takes their hands in hers.

I stare at the three of them. They’re my whole heart. Or what’s left of it, anyway.

“I have to make a call. I’ll join you guys in a few minutes,” I say.

Emma nods, but she doesn’t look at me. I glance at the bodyguards. They nod at me. They know the drill.

Chicago is relatively safe for us, but I’m not one to take chances.

I exit the rink and pull my phone out of my pocket. I call Alaric.

“I still don’t have any information about the stalker,” he says. “Stop calling me every?—”

“It’s not about that,” I say. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Oh?” he says.

One of the emails I sent last night was to Alaric. I gave him the details about Emma’s stalker and asked him to investigate it. He knows I’m in Chicago right now, and he’s the only person I trust for the job.

“I want to marry her,” I say.

“Holy,” he exhales. “Are you serious?”

“I know it deep in my bones. I never thought I’d say this about anyone, but she’s the woman for me.”She’s my salvation.

“Oh, my God,” he says. “You’re in love with her?”

I glance at the rink.

My eyes find her in the crowd like they’ve been searching for her for years. Everything else falls away.

“I think I’ve been in love from the second I first saw her,” I say. “I was just too stupid to realize it for what it was.”

Alaric squeals with joy.

“Can I be your best man?” he asks. “Please, please, please?”

“Sure,” I reply. “It’s not like I know anyone else.”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that,” he says.

“It’s true,” I say. “Apart from Helena, you’re like the only other person I talk to. I don’t really have a choice in the matter.”

“You wound me deeply, my friend,” he says.

I roll my eyes at his antics.

“I need your help with something,” I say.

“Anything,” he says. “I take my role as best man very seriously.”

“There’s an heirloom ring in my bank’s safety deposit box. I need you to take it to the family jeweler to make some adjustments so it’s ready by the time I return.”

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