Page 7 of Nanny for the Bossy Billionaire

“Come to my office and I’ll tell you.” I end the call.

Exactly two minutes later a knock sounds from my door and Clive pokes his head in. When he sees me sitting behind my desk, he walks in and closes the door behind him.

“What’s happened?”

“I’m just coming from an emergency board meeting.”

“Mhmm?”

“I can’t be sure, but I think Eve just took a shot across my bow.”

“What do you mean?” He takes a seat across the table from me.

“She basically said if I don’t dance to her tune she’ll fire me. I know she’s always wanted me out, but she’s never had the votes. This time though, she seemed confident. Have you heard anything? You seem to know more about what’s going on around here than I do.”

Clive looks guilty as sin all of a sudden. “I have been hearing some grumblings, but I didn’t think they were anything to be worried about.”

“What have you been hearing?”

“Apparently old man Packard was diagnosed with cancer last year, and is basically hanging on for dear life at this point. I heard that Eve has gotten to his son, who will inherit his board seat. I don’t know what she’s promised him, but when his father dies and he inherits the seat, he will vote whichever way she wants him to.”

I slam my fist on my desk. Clive jumps in his seat. “How could you keep this from me?”

“I didn’t keep anything from you. I just didn’t think there was anything to tell. Do you know how many stories like this I hear in a week? They always turn out to be harmless gossip. I try not to worry you if I don’t have to.”

“It’s not your job to decide what worries me and what doesn’t. You should’ve told me about this the second you heard it.”

“Reid, you’re one of my oldest friends. I know how you obsess; it’s probably why you’re as much of a genius as you are. So from time to time I keep things from you that I know will make you spiral. Maybe I was wrong in this instance, but I only had your best interests at heart.”

He’s right. My anger at him is misdirected.

I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I might lose the company. This was one of the cons of going public. It’s something I’ve always worried about but it’s never really been much of a possibility until now.”

Clive smiles. “Reid, you haven’t lost the company yet and I’m confident that you won’t. Do you know why? Because you never let anyone else win. Eve was foolish to warn you, because now you have time to make your moves and come out on top. Remember who you are. Outmaneuver her and beat her at her own game.”

He is right. This company isn’t as successful as it is by accident. It’s taken many years of careful planning and sometimes even scheming. I have been the one strategizing ever since we opened our doors.

I don’t know what’s going to happen or how, but they are going to have to pry this company out of my cold, dead hands.

3

NAOMI

Iam out to brunch, my favorite activity, at my favorite weekend spot, with my two favorite people, Laura and Jamie.

And yet, I wish I had stayed home.

Funnily enough, I don’t love being incessantly interrogated about my life choices, even if it is by my two best friends.

The news of the hour?

By some insanely twisted stroke of fate, Reid Harris has offered me the nanny job.

“Isn’t he supposed to be some sort of a genius?” Laura tosses her wavy fire-red hair over her shoulder as she takes a bite of French toast.

“He is,” I say.

“Then why the fuck would he offer you the job?” says Jamie. “That’s something only an idiot would do. If he’s such a genius, he should’ve been able to tell that you’ve never been a nanny a day in your life.” She takes a sip of her Mimosa.

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