Chapter 34
***Kyrin***
I dropped my hat in the mudroom, stretching my stiff muscles before kicking my boots off.
I was covered in mud from a long day with a wild mare.
The last thing I wanted to do was entertain anyone, but Zander’s message made it clear that Aggie didn’t want us kicking the parents out.
Something about making sure Gracie had friends.
I didn’t know how us feeding a bunch of people expensive food got her friends, but I was sure Aggie would explain it to me later.
I pulled my shirt off and groaned. My ribs were still sore from the drunken wrestling match with Donnie over a week earlier.
I’d heard from him that he still had a black eye and couldn’t sit down without cursing my name, though, so I didn’t feel so bad about my ribs.
I’d just been glad to hold my own against that giant.
I’d impressed Aggie’s family and made a life-long friend in Donnie. Worth it.
My pants were halfway down my legs when I heard shouting from somewhere else in the house. It didn’t sound good so I pulled my pants back up and rushed out to find out what was happening. I passed Mary ushering Gracie to the stairs and frowned at the look on Gracie’s face.
Mary scowled. “I’m taking her to her room to dry off and play. Those adults ruined her pool party and she’s upset about it.”
“Where’s Aggie? I want Aggie.” Gracie crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. “She was sad. They made her sad, Uncle Ky.”
“Upstairs, little lady. Aggie will come find you as soon as this mess is cleared up. You’ll have to settle with me for now.” Mary nodded towards the back of the house. “Give them hell.”
Knight stood at the back of the house, his face twisted in confusion while several people shouted at him and one man stood back, holding a bloody nose. I just assumed Knight had hit the asshole until I heard what one woman in particular was shouting at Knight.
“You need to call the cops and have her charged with assault! She hit my husband! Your so-called nanny is out of control. I don’t know what kind of things you let happen in your home, but I won’t have my husband assaulted by that...that tramp!”
Knight and I had the same reaction. We each turned furious glares at the man with the bloody nose. “What the fuck did you do to her?”
“What? Me? I didn’t do anything! She just hit me!
” His voice was strained from what I was assuming was a broken nose.
“She’s nuts! She came onto me and when I politely turned her down, she lashed out!
She said y’all are replacing her and she needs a new job.
She seemed to believe I’d ever be interested in the kind of arrangement you all have here. ”
I stepped closer and saw him flinch. “I suggest you stay close. I’m going to check on Aggie and if there’s a hair on her fucking head out of place, I’m beating your ass. One of y’all had better call the cops now if you’re worried about that asshole.”
Knight followed me up the stairs and frowned when we got closer to Zander’s room and heard shouting.
We rushed in and saw Aggie raging around the room in a bikini that I would’ve liked to appreciate at another time.
Zander was leaning back on the bed, watching her with a dark expression on his face.
I recognized the look and immediately settled into checking on Aggie. Zander would handle whatever else had happened. He had murder written all over his face, so I hoped the idiots downstairs did call the cops before we finished with Aggie.
“Why the hell would he think that I’m a prostitute, Zander?
No one else knows anything about us, about me working for you!
It’s not a matter of me believing him over you!
It’s a matter of how the fuck else did he know even the basic information, like the fact that you’re getting rid of me soon?
Is that my reputation now? I gave myself to you because we work together, not because you’re paying me, and now I’m going to be known as a whore? ”
“You just let me know when it’s my turn to speak.” Zander’s voice was eerily calm and I could see the way his hands shook as he balled them into fists on his thighs.
“Just tell me the truth! Did you tell them that? Do you feel that way about me?” Her voice broke and she spun away from us, her body so stiff it looked like she would shatter at any moment.
Zander was on his feet, pressed against her back immediately.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her, even while she struggled at first. When she went still, he spoke quietly against her shoulder.
“The way I feel about you isn’t something I want you hearing this way.
I’m not going to be forced into rushing this thing between us because some fucker spoke out of turn.
I mentioned that you’re only doing us a favor for the month and then we’d have another nanny from the same service they use.
If that asshole saw the way I looked at you and jumped to conclusions, I’m sorry.
Never in a million years would I talk about you with any man outside of this room, Aggie.
You’re no one’s business but ours. You don’t need my words to know, though, do you?
You fucking know better. Do you feel my heart pounding against your back right now?
Do you feel how crazy I feel at the thought of you trying to pack your stuff? ”
Her shoulders dropped slowly and then the rest of her body sagged against Zander as she let go of her tension. “I don’t like this feeling.”
“Which feeling, baby?” Zander lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed.
“Sadness. I let people make me angry, not sad. It’s scary to care so much about what you might’ve said about me.” She settled into his lap and curled into his chest. “I never felt sad over what Monroe might’ve said about me. Not once.”
“I second that caring is fucking scary.” Knight sat next to them and held her hand. “I can’t help feeling like if I’m going to care about someone, though, I’m fucking glad it’s someone so strong.”
I chuckled and knelt in front of her. “Not just physically. Though, that’s pretty impressive.”
She squeezed her eyes shut tight and took a deep breath. “We have to talk about something else. I can’t... I’m not going to cry.”
I stood up and kicked my jeans off. “I’m going to put on a clean shirt and jeans and then I’m going downstairs to find out who I’m going to punch.”
Aggie jerked upright. “I left the kids in the pool!”
Zander pulled her back against his chest. “They’re fine. Mary happened to be running in to help with the party when I chased after you. She’s taking care of the kids. Or at least Gracie. I don’t give a fuck about those other kids. They have assholes for parents.”
Knight nodded. “Gracie isn’t going to that school, right? Those people are awful.”
“After I’m finished with them, there may not be anything to worry about.” I cupped Aggie’s face and kissed her forehead. “Stay up here, baby.”