Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“Yo, Brady man, what’s up? I thought you were dead.” Alex Witter laughed heartily, the only way he knew how to laugh.
“Why would I be dead?”
“Because I invited you to my wedding. To my kid’s birthday party and even a coed baby shower, and you didn’t even say fuck off, that’s why.”
I frowned. “There have been some, ah, developments in my life that have required certain adjustments, which is actually why I’m calling.”
“I’m listening.”
I gave him a quick rundown of my sister’s passing and the newest addition to my household. “I read about you falling in love with your nanny and I’m hoping you can recommend one for me?”
“To fall in love with?”
I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see me. “Funny.”
“Elite Nanny Service,” he said and rattled off a number that I quickly jotted down. “She’ll find you exactly what you need.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Alex.”
“Don’t thank me. I’m planning an anniversary party for Sasha, and I expect you to be there. I won’t take no for an answer,” he said before ending the call.
I stared at the phone until the screen faded to black. Alex was a decent guy, but he was far too gregarious and lively, which is why we almost never hung out, but the number he’d give me was worth considering his invitation. Maybe. If I managed to get a good Nanny.
“Elite Nanny Service, this is Serenity. How may I help you?”
“Oh, thank goodness. Ms. Woods, I was given your number by a friend, Alex Witter, and I’m in desperate need of a nanny. As soon as you can send one over.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line before the well-spoken, sultry voice responded. “That can be arranged,” she said slowly.
“Oh, thank you! That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
“But first I need you to come to my office for a proper interview.”
My shoulders sank in disappointment. Of course this wasn’t going to be easy. “You can’t just send me a qualified nanny?”
“To a man I don’t know and haven’t vetted? Absolutely not.” The woman sighed patiently. “It doesn’t work that way, mister…?”
“Fine, I’ll be at your office within the hour. Is that soon enough?”
“Yes,” she said with a smile in her voice. “That works perfectly for me. See you then, mister?”
“Brady,” I growled. “Call me Brady.”
“I’ll be waiting,” she replied and ended the call.
As if I didn’t already have a shit ton of tasks on my plate, I now needed to leave my house and worse, I had to interact with people.
At least one person.
As far as I was concerned, that was one person too many. “Layla, get dressed! We have to go out for a bit.”
Hopefully by the time we returned home there would be some plan for a nanny to start.
Soon.
Chapter 4
Toni
“Are you sure this is where I’m supposed to be, Serenity?” I sat in my car and stared up at the expansive brick mansion that was humongous but not ostentatious. Every detail I could see was functional and well-made, built for utility not for glamour. “This place could be a replica of my last placement.” And that was the last thing I wanted to think about. Ever.
Serenity laughed, the sound husky yet feminine. “I’m sure. He’s desperate and I think you are just what they need.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not what anybody needs, but I’m good at my job.”
“Be that as it may,” she responded in that maternal voice that kept all the nannies in line, “Brady and his niece Layla could use someone with your particular skill set. And the address I gave you is accurate.”
“Perfect. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“I have no doubt this is the placement you’ve been searching for.”
The smile in Serenity’s voice put me on edge, and I blew out a long breath. “Anything else you can tell me? What he does for a living? What kind of hours I should expect?”
“Brady works at home so he will be there most days, but he’d rather keep the details under wraps.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes once again. “As long as whatever he’s into doesn’t put me in any danger, it’s fine with me.”
“You’ll be safe, Toni.”
“All right, then. Wish me luck.”
“Who needs luck when I have you?” Serenity ended the call and I sighed, staring at the oversized mansion until I gathered my thoughts enough to step out onto the long driveway and up to the imposing staircase.
It shouldn’t be imposing, not when it’s not as large as my own childhood home, but it felt like it was here for the sole purpose of intimidation. I didn’t like it one bit, but I knew better than most how harmful it could be to judge a book by its cover. So I inhaled deeply, let it out slowly and rang the ornate brass doorbell twice.