Page 16 of Secrets, Lies and Love

“As I was telling you, she said she came to live in New York because the salary for her type of work is much better here.”

“What type of work are you talking about?”

He clears his throat, but I see his eyes shining. “Nanny. Doesn’t it seem like a miracle from God?”

I don’t believe in miracles. If they existed, Sue wouldn’t be dead, leaving a baby just a few months old and...

I quickly push the thought away. I’ve spent too much time analyzing what happened from every angle. It’s stupid to continue obsessing over something that will not change. My wife died, and nothing will bring her back.

I look at the man I’ve known my whole life, and I’m sorry I have to crush his hopes, because I see where this is going. There’s no way I’m going to let a stranger, who can’t even cross the street without trying to kill herself, take care of my son.

“I’m not going to hire her.”

I see from his expression that it was exactly what he’d planned to suggest. “With all due respect, Mr. Kostanidis, why not?”

“She’s a stranger.”

“Technically, they all are.”

“But they arequalifiedstrangers.”

“Again, I apologize for my boldness, but they are notthatqualified. None of them stayed. Even Mrs. Nuttle has only been with us for a few months, and every five minutes she threatens to resign.”

Hell, I can’t argue with that, but still, I don’t intend to put my son at the mercy of a girl who has no concept of avoiding danger.

“Cici previously worked as a nanny in her city and loves children.”

“No, Anderson. I appreciate the goodwill, but I’m not going to hire her. If your concern is how she will cope, keep in mind that I will do everything I can to ensure that she returns home safely.”

He shakes his head, as if he wants to say more, however, he just says goodbye and leaves with disappointment written all over his face.

I take a deep breath before knocking on the bedroom door. I don’t intend to stay more than five minutes, but it still bothers me to have to talk to her. It seems like everyone thinks the unknown girl has to stay in my life, one way or another.

I wish I didn’t even have to see her, but I’m a Kostanidis and I never run away from my responsibilities.

I knock twice on the door and wait.

The time it takes her to respond is a little longer than my patience can handle, but as I prepare for a third knock, a soft voice says, “Come in.”

I hold the handle hesitantly, which is unusual for me, but I would so much rather just write a check and be free from the hassle of an interaction. Then I think about my mother and how disappointed she would be with my behavior.

“Miss Bradley?” I call, even before I see her.

“Yes, it’s me.”

I take two steps into the room, and then we are face-to-face.

For a moment, I just stare at her. In the confusion that happened yesterday, I didn’t remember her being so beautiful.

No, she’s not just beautiful—she’s gorgeous. A fairy with red-orange hair and huge, bright blue eyes, which looks even bigger on her delicate freckled face.

She’s so fragile that I think she would break if I squeezed her a little.

She has an innocent look too. No matter her biological age, Harper Cecily is a child.

Now, more than ever, I know I need to send her back home. If she remains in New York, this angel will be devoured.

“My name is Dionysus Kostanidis, Miss Bradley,” I say before she can open her mouth, “and I will arrange for you to return to your city as quickly as possible. Maybe the next time you throw yourself in front of a car, you won’t be so lucky.”

---