Page 33 of Faking it with the Billionaire
“Excuse me?” I can’t keep my mouth shut. What the hell is he insinuating?
The headmaster shoots me a look as if to say that I have no place here, but he continues on with whatever asinine idea he has running through his thick skull.
“It would be beneficial to have both families gather together to get past the differences between the children.”
“You want us to invite them over for a barbeque?” Antonio asks, shocked by the suggestion. “We don’t entertain people we don’t know.”
“Precisely,” the headmaster says. “I want both of your families to get to know one another. Whatever differences your children have, we need to be able to put them aside. It’s a teaching moment.”
It’s an insane moment.
Thankfully, I’m quick enough not to let my mouth run with that thought.
It’s a horrible idea. Letting the Moretti family into our home or vice versa. What the hell is the headmaster up to? He knows the Morettis are part of the Italian Mafia.
With one hand, I grip Kyler’s shoulder. He’s rigid and tense, and so is Antonio. Neither wants to go through with this arrangement.
“We’ll do it, but it has to accommodate my schedule,” Kyler says.
Antonio glares at Kyler. “You’re not the only one who has important meetings to attend.”
Aleksandra reaches for her husband’s hand. “Play nice,” she warns him. Her voice is soft and coaxing, and he seems to relax under her touch.
Perhaps I should get to know Aleksandra. She might be an ally in this whole predicament that we’ve found ourselves involved in. That’s not to say that she’s not mafia, because she is, but her name strikes me as Russian, and that I find even more perplexing because the Russians and Italians do not get along.
NINE
KYLER
Emerson vettedthe potential candidates for me to hire as a nanny. They have the qualifications, and on paper, they’re perfect, but none of them are Emmie, as Bristol likes to call her.
But I can’t keep putting the pressure on Emerson to babysit Bristol, and I need a nanny.
Lia is the best on paper and holds up to every standard I could ever expect, but I value Emerson’s opinion, and I need to see how she interacts with Bristol as well.
I text Emerson, even though she’s just out back with Bristol in the garden. I want both of them to meet this nanny. The others were qualified but didn’t really pique my interest in the same way.
Within a few short minutes, Bristol comes jogging in. Em is just a few steps behind her. “You called, boss,” she says with a teasing grin.
“Lia, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Bristol, and my girlfriend, Emerson. Em may be around a little more than what you’re used to, just to make sure the transition is smooth,” I say, not wanting the nanny to know about any inherent danger in the job.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Lia says, shaking Emerson’s hand and then Bristol’s. “What do you like to do for fun, Bristol?” she asks, giving my daughter her undivided attention.
I let the two of them converse, glancing every so often at their exchange. Bristol immediately seems to take to her, and I nod for Emerson to join me on the other side of the desk so that we can speak quietly.
“I think she’s the one,” I whisper to Em, wanting to get her approval.
Her gaze tightens for only a second before nodding. Her eyes are on Lia and Bristol the entire time while keeping her voice low so only I can hear her. “She’s qualified.” There’s no question. It’s a statement.
Both of us had been through the list of candidates repeatedly before settling on three who were the best for the job.
“What do you think about her watching Bristol while the two of us attend the charity gala?” I want Em’s honest opinion. I value her input.
She lets out a soft sigh. “I prefer someone withdifferentqualifications,” Em says, glancing at me, giving me a look to tell me she wants someone who can protect my daughter, not just babysit her.
“Mitchell will be parked right outside, except for when he drives us to the gala.”
She presses her lips together, unconvinced. “Yes, to her as the nanny, and maybe, for the charity event? I should be making sure that your daughter is safe, not playing your girlfriend.”
