Page 183 of Nanny and the Beast

“Okay. Does she feel the same way?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “Is this all you wanted to talk about?”

Her eyes flick over my face, trying to read the thoughts I’m leaving unsaid.

“You know I care about my employees,” she says. “I want them to be happy in their jobs. And I’ll admit, I do have a soft spot for Emma. If it’s a messy situation that’s going to result in one of you getting hurt, I suggest putting an end to it. I’ll help you find another caretaker for the children, of course.”

“That’s not necessary,” I reply. “The girl doesn’t mean anything to me. She’s just...convenient. I can end it any time.”

“Are you certain about that?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say. “Too much change isn’t good for the kids. Not to mention, I don’t want to go through the hassle of finding another nanny who’s a good fit. I don’t have the time for that.”

“I understand,” she says. “Just ensure that both of you are on the same page regarding this.”

“Of course,” I say. “It was just a temporary thing anyway.”

Adam finishes smoking and heads back inside the club.

If I didn’t have military-level training and an anxious mind, I wouldn’t even have noticed his presence.

“I need to deal with something,” I say to Mrs. Hendricks, moving toward the doors.

“You said you needed to discuss something with me?” she calls out.

“It’s not important,” I say, heading back inside the club.

My entire world came crashing down tonight. I shouldn’t be bothered by that. After all, it’s what I’m used to.

But just once, I let myself hope that it would be different this time.

I hoped that it would be different with her.

39

EMMA

The girl doesn’t mean anything to me. She’s just convenient.

I didn’t see his face when he said that, but I heard him. I don’t want to believe it because it hurts so much, but it’s the truth. It’s his truth.

My worst fear had come true. Like always, I got too carried away. I got too invested in something that was never mine.

I didn’t mean anything to him. I was just a body to warm his bed.

My heart is in a million pieces, but I don’t let myself fall apart. I walk toward Mrs. Hendricks. She turns around to face me, startled by my sudden appearance.

Tears roll down my cheeks as I take off my bejeweled mask.

“Oh, sweetheart,” she says, moving toward me. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“Someone told me that you were outside,” I say, swallowing. “So I came looking for you.”

The pain in my chest expands, squeezing down on my throat. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over this. I already know that I’m going to be replaying this moment in my head for years to come. I’m going to be haunted by one man for eternity.

“How much of that did you hear?” she asks.

“Enough,” I reply.

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