Page 21 of The Billionaire and the Nanny

Was she actively trying to give me a stroke?

The very thought of Tia taking her clothes off in front of a bunch of horny men, the thought of her giving lap dances made me see red. I was ready to pound a bunch of imaginary strangers into the ground for even looking at her.

“Over my dead body,” I snarled, and she stared at me in surprise.

“You don’t get a say in it, Leo. I don’t need your permission to move to Vegas,” she pointed out.

“Have you danced before? Ever stripped in front of drunk strangers who goose you while sticking a fifty in your g-string?” I asked sarcastically.

“Don’t be an asshole,” she said coldly. “It’s not rocket science. Celine said she would teach me to dance.”

“Maybe she can, but is this how you really want to spend your life, Tia?”

“It isn’t,” she agreed. “But I’d rather earn an honest living by stripping than be a leech on someone. I cannot accept a handout from you, Leo. I’m sorry. I know you’ve been very kind to take me into your home, but I can’t accept any other help from you. And the stripping isn’t forever. I’ll do it until I find a better job.”

I blew out a heavy breath. I understood what she was saying, but I couldn’t allow her to take her clothes off for a living. I really couldn’t. I’d have to take up permanent residence in her club and glare at any man who so much as looked at her, and that wouldn’t help her make any money. I refused to think about why I felt this way. That didn’t matter right now. What mattered was that I had to find a way to force Tia to accept my help. If she wanted to move to Vegas, I’d find her an apartment there and even create a post in one of my companies for her if I had to. I was sure there was something she could do. HR, accounting, or PR. Anything but stripping.

Before I could say anything more, the butler cleared his throat.

“Breakfast is served, Mr. Donovan,” he announced.

I led Tia to the sunny breakfast room in the east wing of the house.

“This discussion isn’t over,” I whispered.

“I don’t care. I’m still leaving today,” she whispered back.

I bit back angry words when I saw Aunt Fee watching us intently. For some reason, it felt as if she knew what had transpired between Tia and me last night. The last thing I wanted to do was give her ideas.

Maddie was happily dipping fingers of buttered toast in her soft-boiled egg, oblivious to the cold vibes in the room. Tia turned her back to me pointedly and struck up a conversation with Aunt Fee, who tried unsuccessfully to hide a grin. I scowled at her as I shook out my napkin.

“Where are Marcus and Luke?” asked Aunt Fee. “They didn’t come home last night.”

Tia and I shared a quick look before I responded.

“Marcus is still out, Aunt Fee. He’s handling something important for me, and I think Luke is helping him.”

“Is everything okay, Leo? Does this have to do with Tia’s brother, as well?”

Sometimes, my aunt was far too perceptive for her own good.

“It is, Aunt Fee, and I can’t talk about it right now,” I replied, with a meaningful nod at Maddie.

My aunt took the hint and changed the subject.

“Tia, I see you’re still wearing your dress from last night. Do you want me to order you some clothes from Saks?” she asked brightly.

“That’s very kind of you. But I’ll borrow some from my friend, Celine, thank you. Marcus can pick them up for me,” replied Tia.

I didn’t understand this insistence on not taking any financial help from us. It was one thing to be independent and self-respecting, but to stick to your guns when you had nothing but the clothes on your back was just foolhardy.

Before I could voice such incendiary opinions, my daughter piped up.

“Tia can borrow my clothes,” she offered, lightening the mood at the table.

We all laughed, and Tia thanked her sweetly.

I liked the way Maddie responded to her. She usually hated speaking to strangers, but she had imprinted on Tia like a duckling. She spent the rest of the morning chattering away gaily, making plans for the rest of the week. She was going to be heartbroken when Tia left. I ignored the voice in my head that pointed out that Maddie wouldn’t be the only one heartbroken. I didn’t care if Tia left today or tomorrow. The sooner the better,I told myself firmly as I drained my coffee cup and set it down with a thud. As long as she wasn’t going to Vegas to be a stripper.

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