Den had been on the money to want to take the kids outside. For the past few days, they had been practically falling asleep at the table by dinner time. A hot bath had them down for the count. I knew I was on to something when I decided that the pretty ass early childhood student would be an asset around here. Not that her potential to be a good nanny for the kids was my initial reason for bringing her home with me.

    Deep down, I knew that she wasn’t in on Brendan’s theft, but that didn’t make me want to let her go any more. I had been wrong before. Plus, I liked having her around. It was like she opened the curtains and windows and let the sun in all of a sudden. I breathed better with her around. I even slept better.

    My ability to actually sleep had a lot to do with me watching her and listening to her sing as she walked around upstairs getting ready for bed herself. Either way, I was resting. I woke up feeling refreshed and not like I had been steamrolled like I had for so many years.

    Den had only been here a week, and my house felt warmer, more homey than it had ever felt. I needed her to want to stay. I just didn’t know how to convey that message at this point. I drank the second shot of bourbon before putting the ss down on my desk and creeping out of my office to check on Den and the kids.

    She was giving the kids a bath, so it was my perfect chance to sneak upstairs. I’d been building something for a few days, and it was finally ready. I had to make sure that the coast was clear, so I walked to the bathroom to check on them.

    She was singing. I could hear my princess singing up close and personal. I leaned against the doorframe and listened while she sang to Evie and washed her hair. I had never wanted kids. I take that back. I wanted kids with my fiancée that I’d just learned was pregnant when I had a wreck that nearly cost me my life. The message that she couldn’t do this, along with thest thing you need right now is a baby, ended the dream of marriage and fatherhood all in one. So, I had no idea why I was thinking about that now of all things.

    My feet were glued to the floor as Den finished Evie’s bath and helped her out of the tub. Den wrapped Evie’s tiny body in the hooded bathrobe that she’d gotten me to buy before sitting her on the counter. Den jumped, startled at the sight of me leaning against the door frame. Knitting her brows together, she walked over to stand in front of me.

    “I’m almost done with them. I’ll be ready to go upstairs after I finish her hair. King is already falling asleep.”

    “Thank you,” I said, reaching out and brushing her hair out of her face.

    Once our eyes connected, it was hard for me to pry my eyes off her. Den was perfect. I touched the side of her face, tempted to kiss her. It didn’t help that she seemed to melt under my touch. That could have been wishful thinking. I was just grateful that she didn’t pull away. I had been dying to touch her for days. Now I couldn’t help myself.

    “You don’t have to thank me. It’s not like I have a choice about being here. I might as well make the best of it.”

    “I wish you did though,” I confessed.

    “Wish I did what?” she asked, frowning in confusion.

    “Have a choice,” I said, dropping my hand.

    I was tripping. I had no idea where that deration came from, but I had to reel it in.

    “Well, let me go,” she countered.

    “You know I can’t do that.”

    “Why can’t you?”

    “Take your time getting her ready for bed. I have something to take care of. I’ll check on you again when I’m done,” I said, finally pushing off the door and turning to leave while I still had the ability to tear myself away from her.

    I went to my office to retrieve what I wanted to move and hurriedly took it upstairs and set it up. King’s piercing screams had me abandoning my mission prematurely and running back downstairs. I sprinted to the kids’ room and stopped when I made it to the door. Yet again, I was in awe of Den. She cradled both King and Evie in herp, rocking him against her chest as she sang.

    “You’re OK, buddy. I’m right here,” she said once she was done.

    I decided not to intrude since she seemed to have everything under control. Evie was already knocked out, so Denid her in the bed as she continued to soothe King by singing and rubbing his head. It felt so good to have the kids cling to her the way they did in the face of being taken away from their mom.

    I had yet to check on Ang or hear from her for that matter. I wasn’t sure what was going on with her or even why she was arrested. I had more pressing issues to worry about. At the same time, I couldn’t help but worry about my sister. Denid King down in the bed and stood to leave the room. She looked surprised when she saw me standing in the doorway.

    “You should wear a crown,” I stated as she walked over to me.

    “Why?” she asked, chuckling softly.

    “Because you came in here and made yourself the queen of this house, no matter the circumstances that brought you here. You have literally saved my life and made this unfamiliar territory tolerable. I know I didn’t bring you here on the best terms, but I would be a fool not to tell you how much I appreciate everything you do for the kids. You’re like a prettier, chocte-covered Mary Poppins,” I said, finding myself chuckling.

    I wasn’t a chuckling kind of nigga but something about being in Den’s presence made me all jovial and shit. I loved and hated it all the same.

    “I don’t know what to say,” she muttered.

    “You don’t have to say anything. I just wish things were different,” I said, dropping my head but keeping my eyes on her.

    It was toote to take it back now. She was here and had been for a whole week. I was pretty sure that you couldn’t un-kidnap someone.

    “Can I sleep with you, Ms. Devy? My mommy always let me sleep with her when I have a bad dream,” King requested.

    Den looked from him and back to me, lifting her brows as if to ask for permission. I thought for a second. It had been a struggle to get King through the nights when he had a nightmare. So far, I had let him get up and watch cartoons until we both fell out on the couch.

    “Um, sure, but I don’t think we should leave Evie down here by herself,” I replied.

    “Can Eviee too?” Den asked, looking down at King.

    “She can sleep with us if she don’t pee on us.”

    “I made sure she had on a pull-up,” Den assured him.

    “She cane then,” King decided.

    “Thank you, buddy,” I said, chuckling yet again. “You take him upstairs with you, Den. Let me grab my phone. I’ll bring her up.”

    “OK, Mr. Gray,” she said, nodding slowly.

    “Devy, why do you call my Uncle Steel, Mr. Gray?” King quizzed as Den picked him up.

    I lingered to hear her answer, but she never replied as she headed to the stairs. Missing her presence already, I hurried to my office to grab my phone off the desk. This time the scream I heard came from Den. I knew that there was nothing wrong with her. So, I didn’t rush back to get Evie. I didn’t want to risk waking her up, so I took my time carrying her upstairs. When I made it to the upstairs apartment, Den stood in the middle of the room wearing the biggest grin.

    “Where do you want her?” I asked.

    “You can put her in the bed,” she instructed, leading the way to the bedroom.

    I put Evie in bed next to her brother before turning and following Den back out to the living room.

    “Call your mom and let her know you’re OK,” I said, extending my phone to her.

    “My mom . . . I’m not in touch with my mom. Pretty sure she overdosed or something by now.”

    My heart wrenched hearing her revtion. We had a simr story, and I didn’t even realize.

    “Well, call whoever you need to and let them know you’re safe. Tell them you found a job as a nanny for an evil recluse. I’m sure that’s what you call me in your head,” I said, chuckling under my breath as she finally epted the phone.

    She narrowed her eyes, studying my face for a beat but never looking down at the phone in her hand. Her gaze made me feel vulnerable, or at least I thought that’s what I was feeling. I couldn’t remember thest time I felt vulnerable, but Den made me feel naked.

    I felt like she could read my mind through my eyes and tell exactly what I was thinking. Some part of me wanted that because I was struggling with my own thoughts. There was no way I could openly express them. Finally releasing me from the scrutiny of her stare, Den looked down at the phone and made her call.

    I wanted to let her go. I really did. At the same time, I needed her. The kids needed her. It wasn’t even that I felt like she could get Brendan to turn over my money or deliver his head on a tter, which would make me feel better than getting my money back. I just wanted her here.

    Deep down I didn’t even think she knew about the money. Somewhere inside, I was ready to admit that I never thought she did. Still, I needed her here. The theft was just an excuse to get what I wanted. There was hardly ever a time when I couldn’t get what I wanted until Brendan backdoored me and stepped to a woman who I knew was meant to be with me. Every day for the past week that became more apparent.

    She would be happy here too if she could only decide to stay on her own. I wasn’t ready to give her that choice. Who the hell would willingly stay in a ce where they had been kept against their will? Who the hell would want to be trapped in the middle of nowhere with a grumpy ass fool who didn’t even know how to express his feelings?

    “Hey, Kels. It’s me,” Den said once somebody answered the phone.

    “Speaker,” I said as I moved closer to the couch.

    I sat down on the couch, making sure that she knew there was no rush. She could take her time on her call, but that didn’t mean I was going to leave her to it alone. I wasn’t that crazy.

    “Bitch, I was starting to think you were dead. Why haven’t you been answering your phone?”

    “I’m sorry, girl. I broke my phone. I haven’t had time to get a new one,” she said, ncing over at me as she spoke.

    “I been by the apartment looking for you. I even went by our job. I was going crazy out here. Do you know that?” the woman fussed.

    “I know. I know. I haven’t even been home in a few days. I found a good ass job as a live-in nanny for this mean ass, fine ass recluse,” she exined, looking over at me with a devilish smirk.

    How was she so fucking adorable? I didn’t miss the fact that she had called me fine. I definitely didn’t miss the fact that she made sure to emphasize that I was a mean ass recluse.

    “You know I love me a mean ass man, girl. They take all that anger and aggression out on you in bed,” her friend raved.

    Den averted her eyes from me as sheughed at her friend’s statement. “Girl, shut up. Anyway, I just wanted to hit you up because I broke my phone. I knew you had been worried sick, so I borrowed his phone to call you.”

    “I was about to file a missing person’s report on you. I go MIA from time to time but that’s my thing. I can always find you. Your ass ain’t taking no chances. I can’t even believe you took this job. Plus, they say that nigga you was messing around with who owns Velvet has been missing in action too. I was trying to hope that you were just on a baecation or some shit. You know? You usually don’t make a move like that without telling your girl though. I’m just in shock right now. I was trying not to think that jackass did something to you.”

    “I’m so sorry, girl. I should have found a way to call you sooner.”

    Her friend huffed. “Hmph, you damn sure should have.”

    “I just didn’t want to bother him. I really like this job. I’m taking care of two of the sweetest kids in the world. It hardly even feels like work, girl.”

    “What does his wife have to say about your pretty ass being there? What does she do that they need a live-in nanny? She must be the vice president of the United States?” Kelsea quizzed.

    “He’s not married, Kelsea.”

    “OK single dad! You know you love a good single dad romance.”

    What did that mean? I made a mental note to look that category up when I ordered the next shipment of books for her. I already had six in my office ready to deliver every day.

    “They’re his niece and nephew,” Den rified.

    “OK. I like a noble king too. You know he doesn’t have to take care of his sister or brother’s kids, but he does it because he’s a good person. I like it. Hell, we both know how it is for your folks to turn their back on you.”

    “Tell me about it,” Den mumbled.

    “How fine is he, sis? Send me a picture of him,” her friend requested.

    “I’m not taking a picture of that man, girl,” Den said, chancing a quick look over at me.

    “How much is he paying you? It’s gotta be enough to get you to move in.”

    “Plus, now I don’t have living expenses, and he has a chef and a maid. The rent on the apartment is paid for the next few months, though, if you need to go there for any reason,” Den exined.

    “Girl, don’t worry about me. You need to be figuring out how to get that man to put a ring on it. Fuck that perverted ass Brendan. He ain’t shit if he’s letting you live with a sexy, single dad anyway.”

    “Why do you say he’s perverted?” Den asked.

    Apparently, herment made both our ears perk up.

    “You know I told you, he was always making slick ass sexualments toward the dancers. I know he’s fucking around with some of them, but they hide it from me because everybody knows I’m your girl. I didn’t bother you with all that especially when I knew you were only with him for a reason.”

    “Right, it doesn’t matter. You can tell them they don’t have to hide anything from you. I’m done with him.”

    “Do you need me to move back home? I’lle back so I can help you out with the bills. I don’t want you putting up with a nigga just because you need his help, and I damn sure don’t want you hiding out somewhere in the hills with the monster from Beauty and the Beast just to cut down on your expenses.”

    “That’s not it, baby. I promise,” she said, looking over at me for some reason. “It’s a plus to be able to cut my expenses, but I really like it here. I’lle see you soon.”

    “OK, bitch. I’m holding you to that,” her friend responded.

    “I promise.”

    “And get you a damn phone so you can send me a picture of hot daddy. What’s his name?” the woman asked.

    I shot Den a look. I’m sure she knew better than to tell her friend my name, but just in case I kept my eyes on her. She cleared her throat before answering.

    “I’m not telling you so you can do a social media search.”

    Den’s girl simplyughed at her response. “You already know what I was about to do. Call me back when you get a chance, Dev. Don’t make me have to look for you again,” her friend warned.

    “I won’t, sis. I promise.”

    “We’re all we got, baby.”

    “We’re all we got, sis.” Den’s voice was shaky, and I was sure her sister picked up on that. “Talk to you soon, OK.”

    “Talk to you soon, sis. Love you.”

    “Love you too,” Den replied before ending the call.

    Den’s eyes drifted to me cautiously. I didn’t like the heaviness that clouded the room. I wanted to lighten the mood, so I stood.

    “Don’t let Sicily hear you calling her a maid,” I joked.

    “Oh my God. Did I say that?” she asked, covering her mouth.

    “Yes, you did,” I confirmed.

    “She already let me know how she wasn’t a maid. She was a housekeeper.”

    “She’s even more than that for me. She keeps this whole ship running smoothly while I work my fingers to the bone.”

    “Everyone has to rest, Mr. Gray. Even jets have to refuel.”

    “I realize. You never told King why you call me Mr. Gray. I never introduced myself to you that way, and I’m not that damn old.”

    “I didn’t really think about it. I guess maybe because that’s the way Miguel and Sicily address you. I don’t want them to think anything is different about me.”

    “You trying to protect me from their scorn?” he questioned.

    “You told me that your business wasn’t their business and that I shouldn’t make them think anything is wrong.”

    “You’re good at following directions. I like that.”

    “When did you put this up here?” she asked, walking over to the bookshelf.

    “While you were doing our little cutie’s hair.”

    “Why would you do that?” she quizzed.

    “I figured you needed somewhere to put your books,” I stated.

    Den waspiling quite the collection of books. Every day since she’de, I had gotten her two new books, one fiction and one that was non-fiction. I wasn’t sure what her reading style was or if it changed with her mood like some people’s tended to. I wanted to make sure she had choices which was why I only gave her a couple of the books at a time. I also liked the idea of giving them to her gradually.

    “But why do it?” she reiterated her question. “Why do any of this? You’re so confusing. At this point, I don’t know what to think.”

    I sneered. “You think you’re confused . . . Imagine how I feel. One week with you here and I can barely think straight. My head is all fucked up right now,” I said, tapping the sides of my head with the palms of my hands.

    “Hm, maybe you feel bad and want to let me go,” she suggested.

    “Good night, Den. Take care of my babies up here,” I told her as I drug myself toward the stairs. My feet were on fire. I needed to hurry downstairs so I could take a shower and get in bed listening to my favorite soundtrack; my princess singing to herself while she got ready for bed.