The Beast's Nanny (The Nannies)

She’d seen him as nothing more than a monster. After the few things she’d seen him do, she’d been convinced of how horrible of a human being he actually was. The truth was there was so much more to him than what met the eye.

Licking her lips, she watched him, completely enchanted by him as he continued to sit and watch his nephew.

“I know you’re out there lurking,” Caleb said.

This made her pause. She stepped closer to the door.

“You don’t have to stay there. I won’t bite.”

“I’m okay here.”

He chuckled. “Afraid?”

“Of nothing.”

“There’s your first mistake,” he said. “I don’t like being lied to. Have a seat.”

She wanted to refuse but saw no reason to. This was where she’d been wanting to go. She moved toward the only other available seat and lowered herself down, waiting for what he’d say.

Seconds ticked by.

Followed by minutes.

Nothing.

Grace licked her lips and stared around the room, not knowing what to say.

“His mother died a short time ago,” he said.

She stayed silent. James talked about his mother, but he always looked really sad as he did. Then realizing how cold she must look, she looked at him. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“You know about loss, don’t you?”

It didn’t sound like a question, more a statement of fact. “You know about me?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know why I’m surprised.” She ran her hands down her thighs and cringed. She wore a pair of pajamas. The only pair that had been in the room, and they had little bears all over. He wore a suit.

“My parents died in a car crash,” she said. “The day the police told me, I … I was supposed to be in that car. They were getting some takeout, but Dad had ordered something for Mom online and it was due for delivery.” She stopped as tears filled her eyes. “I, er, I offered to stay home so someone was there to sign for it.” She took a deep breath.

“I know,” he said. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“The pain, it doesn’t get any less. Time just … the world doesn’t exactly stop while you’re trying to get over that kind of death, does it?”

He shook his head. “The world doesn’t forgive pain, nor does it accept weakness.”

“It’s a cruel place.”

“Is that why you’re the way you are?” he asked.

She frowned. “How do you mean?”

“The volunteering? Being broke to help others?”

“I do what I can do, Ca— Mr. Raine.”

He smiled. “You can call me Caleb. I don’t mind. Not with everything I want to do to you.”

She glanced at James. “I don’t think we should talk about that.”

“He’s out for a long time. He can sleep so soundly and so deeply.” He sighed, running a hand down his face.

“What was she like?” she asked.

“Who?”

“Your sister.”

“What about your parents?” he asked instead. “What were they like?”

She rolled her eyes but decided not to argue with him. He clearly wasn’t used to sharing and well, she didn’t have a problem with it.

“They were good people. Nothing was ever too hard for them. They were the kind who went caroling at Christmas. My mom did a big cookie bakeoff, and we’d go around handing out these huge piles of cookies. They were so much in love. I always imagined my life being like theirs. Falling in love, only knowing the good in the world.”

“Life throws shit at you. You’ve got to learn to deal with it. There’s nothing else you can do.”

“Is this what you’re used to dealing with?” she asked.

“I know that life will hit you first, hardest if it can. I’ve always made sure that I can be the one to hit first.” He got to his feet and left the room.

She stood and rushed off after him. “Wait, you didn’t tell me about your sister.”

He stopped and turned toward her. The way he looked at her, she didn’t know what it was, but it sent a shiver up her spine.

He continued to stare at her and she waited.

“You’ll get to find out a lot more about me when you give me an answer. I don’t tell my soul to just anyone.”

She growled. “One day … you’re going to regret this. You’re going to be alone and miserable.”

“I’ll probably be miserable but the thing about money, darling, you’re never alone. Not for the right price.”

When he left this time, she let him go. There was no point in trying to stop him. He was an asshole, and she didn’t want to fight with him.

She went back to where James was. Still sound asleep.

Rather than disturb him, she went back to her own room, changed, and made her way downstairs to get his breakfast ready.

The moment she entered the kitchen, she came to a stop. The chef was cooking, and Caleb sat at the kitchen counter, reading a newspaper.