Chapter 4 - The Nanny Protocol
I stood completely still in the center of the gallery for ten minutes. The heavy oak doors to Adrian’s study were shut, but I could hear the muffled, aggressive timbre of Grant’s voice, followed by the low, terrifying rumble of Adrian’s.
My hands were shaking. I pressed them against the rough fabric of my black staff dress. The silver watch. Grant Mercer had my father's watch. It wasn't a coincidence. My father was a low-level accountant for a shipping firm the Vales controlled. When two million dollars vanished, my father took the fall.
The study door clicked open.
Grant walked out first. His jaw was clenched, his face a mask of barely controlled fury. He didn't say a word to me. He just shot me a look of pure, unadulterated venom before storming out of the gallery and out the front doors.
Adrian stood in the doorway of his study. He had removed his suit jacket, his white shirt rolled up at the sleeves, revealing a dark web of tattoos creeping up his left forearm.
"In here, Nora," he said. It wasn't a request.
I forced my legs to move, stepping into the lion's den. Adrian’s study was lined with dark mahogany bookshelves, smelling of leather and expensive bourbon. He walked behind his massive desk but didn't sit down.
"Let's drop the pretense," Adrian said, leaning his hands on the desk. "You didn't just notice that drawing because you're a good cleaner. You watch my family. You watch me. Why?"
I swallowed hard. If I told him the truth about my father, I would be dead or thrown out onto the street before midnight. I needed to stay inside this house. I needed to get into Grant's room.
"I watch you because the staff who don't pay attention get fired," I lied, keeping my voice steady. "I noticed the drawing because it was the only thing in this sterile fortress that looked like it was made with love. I took a risk tonight."
Adrian studied my face. His eyes missed nothing. "You are fearless. Or stupid. I haven't decided yet." He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "My sister Clara was the only good thing in this family. When she died, I took Leo. His father is a monster who would use the boy to leverage my territory. That's why Leo is a secret. That's why those women were tested."
"You were looking for a mother for him," I realized aloud.
"I was looking for someone who valued family over money. They all failed. You didn't." Adrian stood straight. "Maria is getting too old to keep up with him. Leo likes you. From tomorrow morning, you are no longer a maid. You are Leo’s nanny. You will move into the suite across from his. Your salary is quadrupled."
I blinked, stunned. "You're promoting me? After I embarrassed your cousin?"
"Grant is my problem," Adrian said coldly. "You keep my nephew safe. You read him stories, you play with him, and you never, ever let him out of your sight. Do you understand?"
"Yes," I breathed. This was perfect. A suite upstairs meant I had access to the family wing. Access to Grant's quarters.
"Go pack your things," Adrian ordered, turning his attention to a stack of files. "And Nora?"
I paused at the door. "Yes, Mr. Vale?"
"If I find out you're lying to me about why you're really here, there won't be a corner of this world where you can hide."
A shiver ran down my spine, but I nodded and left.
An hour later, I was in my cramped basement room, throwing my few uniforms and clothes into a duffel bag. I picked up the cheap wooden frame from my bed—Adrian had let me keep it to give to Leo.
As I traced the edge of the wood, my thumb caught on a loose staple at the back. Frowning, I pulled the cardboard backing slightly. It felt unusually thick.
Carefully, I slid my fingernail under the edge and pried the backing apart. It wasn't just cardboard. It was two pieces glued together. Hidden between them was a folded piece of paper.
My breath caught. I pulled it out and unfolded it.
It was an old, faded train ticket. From Philadelphia to Montreal. Dated October 14th, ten years ago.
The exact night my father was arrested.
But it wasn't the date that made the room spin. It was the name printed on the passenger line.
May you like
Arthur Bennett.
My father’s name. He hadn't been planning to take the fall. He had been planning to run. And Clara Vale—Adrian’s sister—had hidden his escape ticket behind her child's drawing.
