Chapter One

Robert sat in front of his computer and read over the last report from the Good Knight Society group he was involved in. The file was encrypted, and after he had read it, he had to destroy it.

He had been asked to join the group right out of college. He had never heard anything about it until then. But he learned quickly, and that’s how the faction wanted it. The group had come a long way and grown since he started, and still, one of their main objections besides helping people was to stay undetected.

Someone knocked at his door. “Come in,” Robert barked after closing the file. He glanced up to see one of his closest friends, Channing, walk in.

Robert relaxed back in his chair. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Channing said and sat in one of the chairs on the other side of his desk.

“What’s up?”

“How’s it going trying to find a nanny for Hannah?” Channing asked.

Robert snorted in disgust. “Every agency I’ve called has no one free right now, but I’m on a waiting list. What the fuck am I supposed to do? Taylor can’t handle her too much longer. She says she’s too old to be chasing after a three-year-old. After I get home, I take over, but I get absolutely no work done then.”

Channing grinned. “I’ve seen your daughter in action. She’s definitely full of energy.”

Robert pinched the bridge of his nose. He was beyond frustrated, and it made him dislike his ex-wife even more. How a mother could leave her child without looking back stunned him. He learned that Dana, his ex-wife, only had the child to trap him into marriage, and he was ashamed to say he fell for it. It was almost a relief when he found out she was having an affair, probably more than one. He’d divorced her and hadn’t seen her since. One smart thing he’d done was get a prenup.

“I might have a solution,” Channing told him.

Robert dropped his hand. Fuck, he hoped so because he was at his wit’s end and exhausted.

“Emmet Nichols has a daughter who might be able to do it.”

Robert’s brows snapped together. “I didn’t know he had a daughter.”

“He doesn’t talk about her, and she’s never seen in public.”

“Why?” Robert asked.

Channing shrugged. “From what I hear, he’s a real jerk to her. I’ve been told she goes nowhere and that she is very sweet and would be a good nanny.”

Robert had heard worse about the guy. The Society already has a file on the bastard. “The man is a jackass.”

Channing nodded.

“So, I should just call him and ask?”

“I would.”

Robert reached for his phone.

“Claire, can you find me Emmet Nichols’s number, please?”

“I’ll get right back to you,” she said.

“That woman is a gem,” Channing said. “I wish I had a secretary like her.”

Robert smiled. “Is yours still trying to get in your pants?”

“Yes. I can’t seem to find one that’s competent. I figure if I look for an older woman, it might help.”

“I’ll see if Claire can find someone.”

“That would be great. I’ve gone through three secretaries already this year.”

Robert smirked. “Maybe if you weren’t so pretty.”

“Fuck off.”

His phone buzzed.

“I found it. Would you like me to call and see if he’s available?”

“No, just dial the number and I’ll talk to him.”

“Yes, sir,” Claire said.

Robert saw one of the lights on his phone turn on, picked it up, and heard a ringing sound. “Thanks, Claire.”

“You’re welcome.”

Robert heard her click off, and a second later, the phone was answered.

“Nichols residence,” a woman said.

“Hello. I’d like to talk to Emmet if he has a minute.”

“Who may I ask is calling?” the woman asked.

“Robert Crenshaw.”

“Just a moment.”

“Ah, Robert,” Emmet’s voice boomed into the phone, making Robert wince.

“Hello, Emmet.”

They made small talk for a minute.

“What can I do for you?” Emmet asked.

“My nanny had to move, and I’ve been trying to find another one, but I’m not having any luck. I was told you had a daughter who might be able to do it.”

There was silence on the phone for a moment. Robert thought the man might have hung up.

“Let me think about it and get back to you.”

“That’s fine. I’ll wait to hear from you.”

“All right. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

Robert hung up.

“Well, what did he say?” Channing asked.

“He’s going to think about it and get back to me.”

“I hope it works out.”

“Do you know anything about the girl?”

“Not really. Besides being nice, she’s over eighteen, which is all I know.”

“I don’t care about anything besides her being an adult, caring, and good for my daughter.”

Channing stood. “Call me when you get an answer.”

“I will. Thanks for the tip,” Robert said.

“Are you happy enough to let me win at poker the next time we get together?” Channing asked and grinned.

“Fuck, no.” Robert threw a pen at him as he walked out the door, chuckling.

He sat back and looked up at the ceiling. “I really hope this works out because I’m desperate, and I don’t like the feeling.” Robert got back to work and prayed Emmet would get back to him soon.

Two hours later, his phone rang.

“Yes.”

“An Emmet Nichols is on line one, Sir.”

“Thank you, Claire.”

Robert put the phone to his ear. “Hello, Emmet. What did you decide?”

“I think it’s exactly what she needs.”

Robert exhaled. “That’s great.”

“When do you need her to start?” Emmet asked.

“Yesterday,” Robert said and laughed.

Emmet chuckled. “How about if I get her there in the next hour or so?”

“That would be wonderful.”

“I’m assuming she’ll live there?” Emmet asked.

“Yes. She’d have to. The nanny’s room is in the service wing with the cook and maids. Do you think she’ll be okay with that?”

“She’ll be fine. I’ll get her packed.”

“I appreciate this so much. I owe you one.”

Emmet chuckled. “That’s good to know.”

“See you later,” Robert said.

“Bye.”

Robert turned off his computer and gathered the work he’d do at home. He’d finally have his nights back which would help him catch up with all his work. He walked out of his office.

“I’m heading home. You can close up and leave whenever you want,” he told Claire. “I’m heading home to meet my new nanny.”

Claire smiled. “That’s great.”

“Yes, it is. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Sir.”