CHAPTER ONE #2
Her expression softens, and she pats my hand like I’m ten years old again. “Because my husband would quite like his wife back.”
I huff. “He’s selfish.”
A small smile tugs at her lips.
WYNTER
“I’m sorry,” I rush out, dabbing at my eyes with a tissue. “I don’t usually cry. It’s just . . . the last few months have been really tough. I don’t know what’s come over me.” Heat floods my cheeks, embarrassment curling tight in my chest.
Anika smiles kindly, and some of the tension in my shoulder’s eases. Ray is far too intense for me. I already know I could never work here. Maybe that’s why I’m crying. Another job gone before it’s even begun.
“Take a seat,” she says gently.
I perch on the edge of the bed, with my back straight, and hands clasped tightly in my lap. “Ignore Ray. He’s a little overprotective, but he does have a good heart.” Her eyes soften. “Why have the last few months been so tough?”
The question catches me off guard. My lower lip wobbles slightly, and I press it between my teeth.
“Look,” she adds, a hint of humour in her tone, “you’re going to get to know every inch of me. The least you can do is tell me a bit about yourself.”
A small, nervous laugh escapes me.
“I moved to London to chase my dream of working for a big publisher. But they didn’t keep me on after my trial, so I’ve been job hunting ever since with no luck.
” I shrug, though it feels heavier than it should.
“It was a huge gamble, and it didn’t pay off.
Honestly, the second I arrived, someone snatched my bag outside the underground. It’s kind of been downhill since.”
Anika winces. “Oh shit. That’s rough. How long have you been here?”
“Six months.”
Her brows lift slightly. “Well, you’ve clearly got staying power. I like that.” She tilts her head. “How have you managed to survive six months without a job?”
“I had some money saved,” I admit. “I paid six months’ rent upfront, but that runs out on Friday, so this was kind of my last shot.” I push to my feet, nerves buzzing under my skin. “But thank you for seeing me. For giving me a chance.”
“Where are you going?” Anika asks.
I glance towards the door, half-expecting Ray to walk back in any second.
“This isn’t for me.”
Her brows draw together. “Because of me?”
“No,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “Not at all. I can do this job. I know I can. I looked after my mum.” I hesitate, then force the truth out. “But I can’t handle your husband.” I swallow. “I’m really sorry. Powerful men scare the shit out of me.”
Anika laughs and it throws me completely. “First of all, he’s not my husband,” she says, still smiling. “And second, he’s a complete pussycat.” I blink. “And if he’s the only thing putting you off, then I’m not accepting that as a reason. I like you, Wynter. I think we’ll get along just fine.”
I stare at her, mouth slightly open. “You’re . . . giving me the job?”
“You’re giving her the job?” Ray’s voice cuts in from behind me, making me flinch. Anika’s grin only widens. “Yes.”
It turns out Ray owns the casino the penthouse sits above. I’ve never seen anything like it.
As Catherine leads me from room to room, my eyes widen with every step—polished marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, rooms bigger than my entire flat. Everything feels sleek, expensive . . . untouchable.
My bedroom is right next to Anika’s. There’s a connecting door between us for easy access, and a buzzer by her bed so she can call me during the night if she needs me.
I set my bags down on the bed, taking it all in.
I don’t officially start until Monday, but once I told Anika I don’t own a car, she insisted I bring my things over in stages, and Catherine offered to get stuck in with my training early to give me a head start.
“Thank you so much,” I say, turning to Catherine. She’s been nothing but warm and welcoming and I half wish she wasn’t leaving.
“Unpack,” she says with a kind smile. “Then we’ll start some training.”
An hour later, I find her in the kitchen talking to Ray.
I pause in the doorway, hovering, unsure whether to interrupt.
“Ah, there you are,” Catherine says brightly, spotting me. “All unpacked?” I nod. “Good. Let’s start simple. Why don’t you make Mr. Carmichael a coffee? Black, no sugar.” She grabs her bag. “I’ll be back shortly.”
And just like that . . . she’s gone, leaving me alone with the scary boss.
I drift over to the coffee machine and stare at it, completely out of my depth. It looks far too complicated for something that’s meant to make a simple drink.
I lift the lid, then close it again. Next, I pull the pot out, then push it back into place.
“For God’s sake,” Ray mutters, already losing patience.
He steps in beside me, close enough that I catch the faint scent of his aftershave—something dark, expensive, and distracting.
My breath hitches.
He reaches past me, grabbing a bag of coffee from the cupboard above my head. His arm brushes mine as he scoops the grounds into the machine, his movements quick and efficient, but not easy for me to follow.
The lid snaps shut and he presses a button. The machine hums to life, gurgling as it starts to brew.
He places a cup beneath the spout, then moves away, taking a seat at the island again.
“We need to go over some rules,” he says, his voice clipped.
I blink, dragging myself back to reality. “Rules?” I repeat.
“Yes,” he says coolly. “The kind you follow if you want to keep your job.”
The coffee machine clicks off behind me. I take the cup over and sit across from him at the island.
“Okay.”
“No lies,” he says firmly. “I hate liars, and I won’t tolerate them. Not even the small ones.”
I nod.
“No men . . . or women, staying over.”
Another nod.
“Anika may act like she’s in charge,” he continues, his tone turning colder, “but I pay your wage. That makes me your boss. If you break my rules, she won’t be able to save you.”
“Okay,” I say again, quieter this time.
“You’ll have Mondays and Tuesdays off. On those days, an agency carer will cover you. Nurses come in throughout the day to handle her medication, so your priority is companionship and basic care. Catherine will train you on everything.”
He pauses briefly before continuing.
“You may need to administer additional pain relief if required. It’s all documented.”
I nod, trying to keep up.
“Catherine would prefer you start on Monday, even though it’s technically your day off. The sooner you’re trained, the sooner she can retire.”
He slides a folder across the counter.
“Your employment package is in there. If there’s anything you’re unhappy with, tell me and I’ll see what can be done.”
There’s a brief pause, then his gaze locks onto mine. “Anika is very important to me,” he says, his voice dropping slightly. “She is my priority. I will do whatever it takes to protect her.”
A chill runs down my spine.
“If you upset her,” he continues, “you upset me. And that’s not a position you want to be in. Am I clear?”
I don’t hesitate. “Yes.”
He reaches into his pocket and places a key card on the counter. “This gives you access to the private elevator. My main office is on the floor below.”
“Thank you.”
He picks up his coffee, clearly already done with me. “Don’t fuck this up. Anika seems to like you.”
The second the door shuts behind him, I sag, the tension draining from my body.
God, he’s intense.
Catherine steps back into the kitchen, a knowing smile on her lips.
“Okay,” she says lightly. “Follow me.”
RAY
“Anika said you found someone to help out?” Dale asks.
“Yeah.”
“She must have balls of steel if you didn’t scare her off.”
“She cried,” I say flatly. “Anika sent me out, then hired her before I got back.”
Dale barks out a laugh. “That makes more sense. So, when do I get to meet her?”
I fix him with a hard look. “You’re not going anywhere near her, Dale. She’s here for Anika.”
He lifts his hands in mock surrender. “Easy tiger. What do you take me for? I’m the closest thing you’ve got to a brother. I should at least meet the girl if she’s living under your roof.” His grin turns knowing. “She’s fit, though, right? Has to be. You wouldn’t be warning me off if she wasn’t.”
I don’t answer. Because that’s not the point. Yeah, she’s beautiful. But that’s not what bothers me. It’s the way she looks at everything like it’s still good. Like the world hasn’t gotten its hands on her yet.
She’s too soft. Too fucking innocent.
And men like me?
We ruin things like that.