Page 196 of Nanny and the Beast

“I don’t have it in me to explain,” I say truthfully. “I just can’t keep working here anymore.”

“You signed a contract,” he says.

“I don’t care about the fucking contract right now, Klaus,” I snap. “I’m losing my mind here.”

His eyes flare with anger, but it lasts only a fraction of a second.

“I can’t allow you to leave the premises,” he says, his voice calm like we’re making a business deal. “It’s not just about the contract. It’s about your safety.”

A hollow laugh escapes me. “What, the stalker? I’ve been dealing with him for most of my adult life. I’m pretty sure I can deal with him now.”

It takes everything in me to leave the rest of my thoughts unsaid.

My stalker did terrible things, but the way Klaus hurt me was so much worse.

“Is that all?” he asks, about to shut the door in my face.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I ask, placing my palm against the door. “What makes you think that you have a right to dictate other people’s choices for them?”

“Because you don’t understand the gravity of the situation,” he says.

“And you think your judgment is any better?” I ask.

He doesn’t say anything. There’s nothing in his eyes. He’s reverted to being the cold, asshole boss I used to know.

“Once we catch the stalker, I’ll let you leave,” he says. “Is that okay?”

I prefer his wrath. I prefer some emotion. Anything other than this polite diplomacy.

His phone starts ringing, breaking the tension between us. He takes the call, keeping his dark eyes fixed on me as he listens.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” he says over the phone.

I step aside as he walks into the corridor. Thedoor slams shut behind him, the sound reverberating in my ears.

Without another glance back at me, he’s gone.

42

KLAUS

Itake the white Porsche tonight.

Alaric just called, saying that he needed to see me right away. Usually, I wouldn’t think anything of it, but he requested that I come to his house instead of the club.

I don’t know what this is about, but he didn’t sound like himself on the phone.

I think about her as I drive.

She’s on the back of my mind no matter what I do. She comes with me no matter where I go. I don’t know how to get rid of these feelings.

People say everything heals with time, but I don’t know if that will ever be the case for me.

I arrive at Alaric’s gated mansion and park out front. It’s a sleek, modern building made almost entirely of glass.

He’s already waiting at the end of the driveway, holding a drink in his hand. He hands it to me.

“You’re going to need it,” he says.

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