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My mom wants me to be happy. This will make me happy.
I glance at the jewels again and an amused grin tweaks my lips. The Sullivan method of negotiation must be hereditary. Both Dare and Talia think buying gifts is enough to grant favor.
Talia, if you stay with me and this is a BIG if, you live by my and my parents’ rules. You don’t have a maid to clean up after you. You don’t get to demand what you want. It will be very different from what you’re used to.
Are you saying I can stay with you?
We still have to get your uncle’s permission first.
Dare’s not texting me back, so that will be a challenge in itself.
Let me handle that.She gives me a victorious little smile.
If I had this much confidence, I’d probably be way further along in my career.
How old are you again?I type.
She rolls her eyes like a thirty-year-old woman and hops off the merry-go-round. The bodyguards all cluster around her as she speaks and… I really think I’m looking at the next president.
Of a biker gang.
Talia catches my eye and voices to me, but she freezes mid-word and whips out her cell phone.
My bags are in the car. They’re already packed.
You’re coming over now?
Uncle Dare isn’t answering his phone.
What about your mom? Or a nanny? We should let someone know.
My mom is in rehab and my nanny is…
Her eyes widen like she said something wrong. She erases the nanny line quickly and tries to act like it never existed. But I’m too good at reading body language and I pick up on her guilt right away.
Talia, where is your nanny?
She glances away, but I kneel in front of her and show my phone, keeping my expression firm.
If you don’t tell me, the deal is off.
Her mouth purses, pure annoyance. She doesn’t like that I’m threatening her, but finally, she types on her phone.
I locked her in the closet.
* * *
I never thought my first act as guardian of Talia Sullivan would be freeing an au pair from the linen closet.
But here we are.
Veins protrude from the pretty thirty-something’s neck as she yells obscenities I’m glad I can’t hear. The way Talia sits calm as a peacock on the stool in Dare’s fancy kitchen makes it seem like the things that are happening have nothing to do with her.
The nanny is flanked by two guards and escorted out of the room where, I’m sure, she’ll receive a hefty compensation package, an NDA, and not one single apology.
I stop the burly men by lifting a hand at them and, to my surprise, they actually listen. I beckon Talia over. She tilts her head as if to sayme?
I nod.
