Page 79 of Owen

“Unless you move in with me?” she blurts out, then covers her mouth with her hand.

My brows dip in confusion. “I didn’t think partners were permitted to live in quarters unless you were married?”

Her hand drops from her mouth. “You’re not, but if I employ you as the nanny, you can live in with me. I would fill out the correct paperwork to make that happen and get you a pass to get on and off camp. You’d have to have a security check.” The solution to all our problems falls into place; she needs a nanny and I need a job. It’s a win-win situation.

I let out a half chuckle, half exhale, letting the plan simmer. “I’m gonna be the nanny with benefits.”

She scrunches up her face, making all her freckles join together. “That sounds terrible.”

“It sounds amazing.”

Then she makes me an offer. “I will pay you.”

“So I’m the gigolo, now?” I joke.

She drops her chin to her chest. “Oh, my God. That’s not what I meant.”

I sweep her into my arms because she feels too far away from me, and I always want to be touching her, then crash land us on top of the bed, making her squeal. Her warm laughter is muffled against my skin.

My large hand takes her face as I plant a kiss on her lips. “Let’s not talk about any of the details. Just do what you need to do to get me on to camp and if I have to stay with Gregor in the interim, that’s fine, too. Just know this: I will take care of Poppy. Whatever you need me to do, for however many days and nights, to give Poppy consistency, the care she needs, and to make your life and job seamless, I’m the man for the job.”

Relaxing in my arms, contented, she sighs. “I have a nanny.”

“I’m going to be the best goddamn nanny there ever was.”

Kissing me deeply, she hums, “You already are.”

Then it’s all systems go, and while Jade gets ready for work, I call Gregor and fill him in about Cobra. He’s not surprised when I confirm his suspicions. He then tells me exactly what Jade needs to do to file a complaint, reassuring me that he, along with the entire team, will support her.

But it sounds like there is a long list of protocol to follow first.

Let’s hope that Jade’s lucky stone she wears in her bra brings us lots of luck because, from the looks of it, we’re going to need it.

Fuck, could anything else happen to me this year?

Apparently, it could.

23

OWEN

It’s the day before Families Day. After an intensive assessment by an air vice marshal, the team gained their public display authority, allowing them to fly for the season. It’s a huge weight off Jade’s shoulders and she stood everyone down for the rest of the afternoon. To celebrate, I drove her and Poppy into Limassol in Jade’s hired jeep, and we are currently having lunch at one of the little tavernas around the ruins of what used to be the town’s castle.

We are all set to leave the day after the social event tomorrow, where over a thousand families will show up to watch the first aerobatic display of the year, and Jade and the team are buzzing to show it off.

With our suitcases all packed, we are ready to leave the island, and it was easier than I thought in the end. Following Jade’s submission of her formal grievance complaint against Cobra, just as I thought, an administrative team was flown out immediately, as there was enough evidence to investigate.

Gregor’s father, my Uncle David, also pulled some strings. His close friendship with Air Chief Marshal Patterson came invery handy, and I’m certain the dedicated team who spent yesterday afternoon meticulously questioning the team were hand-selected by the man himself.

It turns out that Cobra, aka Brian Smith, has been investigated before on two separate occasions, but the victims dropped the charges against him. We suspect the devious bastard used his wicked forms of manipulation to make that happen, although we have no way of knowing for sure.

Following the interview, Cobra was suspended from the team until further notice and sent back to England.

Jade was exhausted and quiet after her long day of interviewing yesterday. I can’t imagine how emotionally taxing it all must have been for her. When she returned to the villa I had a cool bath waiting for her, a hearty meal was on the table, and the house was bathed in candlelight and calming music before we went to bed early, where we stayed wrapped in each other’s arms as the moonlight shone through the slated shutters.

Having had weeks to think about it, I decided I do want to explore working at an adventure center for kids to let them discover their mental and physical strengths.

I sit up tall in the chair that’s nestled under the canopy of a tree, perking up at the idea of it. Or maybe eventually I’ll open one of my own.

---