Chapter 04

My fingers, still gripping the newspaper, started to shake. I stared at the man's face, at the printed photograph that didn't fully capture his good looks, when my tears fell onto the page, and I crumpled it between my sweaty hands.

“Why would Gabriel Lancaster want to adopt my daughter?” I whispered. “And why did it take you six weeks to tell me?”

“The news landed in my hands this morning.” He ran a hand over his face. “You shouldn't have resigned from your job. You're going to need it to keep paying me.”

The detective's voice was distant and professional. He sighed, that familiar sound of disappointment I'd heard so many times before. He stubbed out his cigarette and looked at me as he blew the smoke away.

“I won't need it.” My hands wouldn't stop shaking as I grabbed the newspaper again and opened it to show him. “My daughter's adoptive father is looking for a nanny. I'm going to apply for the position.”

“You're losing your mind, Skay.” He smiled, straightened the worn blue tie I'd given him, and said, “And after you become your daughter's nanny, then what? Are you just going to walk off with her?”

“It's not the worst idea.”

“We're talking about a billionaire here.” I would rather not meet his eyes while he lectured me. “Fine, it's not my problem. I'm your detective, and my job ends here. Whatever you do from now on is none of my business.”

A laugh bubbled up, harsh and strange. “How very kind of you. But thank you for finding her.”

“We'll be seeing each other again, Skay; you still owe me.” His smile widened by a fraction as he walked away, climbing into his car and driving off.

He left me alone in the middle of the night on a deserted highway. Standing at the bus stop, I let my body slump back against the bench. I'd finally found my daughter; after three long years of searching, I should have been happy, but all I could think about was Gabriel Lancaster being my daughter's adoptive father.

That caught my attention. He was famous in the business world as a cold, arrogant man. I'd never crossed paths with him; my family's companies avoided doing business with him because of his terrible reputation and hostile behavior. Now I'd have to insert myself into his life to get mine back.

When I got back to my rented apartment, I packed my bags. I left the keys at the front desk with that month's rent and walked out. Less than sixty miles separated us; she'd been so close this whole time, and I never imagined I'd be able to reach her this easily. My stomach churned as I stepped onto the subway that would take me to the next station.

I read the worn newspaper clipping more than twenty times on my way to my destination. Gabriel was looking for a nanny, and the interview would take place at his office downtown. I looked down at the clothes I was wearing and knew I couldn't show up like that. The first thing I'd do is buy new clothes.

I needed this job, and once I had it, I'd figure out a safe way to get my daughter out from under that man's control.

My hands were shaking when I got off at the last station. I stood in front of the building for ten minutes. I bought the best outfit I could afford with the savings I'd set aside over the years. Not only that, but I needed to be careful; I needed to convince Gabriel to hire me as my daughter's nanny. That was my life's mission from that moment on.

Fear burned hot in my chest when I reached the lobby the receptionist had pointed me to. There were at least twenty women ahead of me, well-dressed, résumés in hand, fighting for that same position. I couldn't let a single one of them win.

The line moved forward little by little. Right behind me, two women were talking, and I couldn't help overhearing what they said.

“They say he's a slave driver, that no nanny's lasted more than a month in that house,” one of them said.

“But he's gorgeous and so rich,” the other sighed. “It is unclear to me why he hasn't remarried since his first wife died.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at how disconnected their comments were from each other. I tried to focus only on my mission: convincing Gabriel that I'd be the best choice out of a hundred others. My heart raced faster with every step I took toward the interview room, imagining she could be right there inside, that I'd see her after three long years.

“Next!” The woman in front of me raised her voice as she reached out to take my documents. My throat went dry when she took hold of my fake ID. I hadn't even considered the possibility of being found out. For a few long seconds, all I could hear was my heartbeat as she looked at my photo, making sure I was who I said I was.

“Ms. Scarlat, you can go in now.” She pointed to the door beside her, handed my documents back, and smiled at me. “Good luck. You're going to need it.”

I let out the breath I'd been holding. My lungs burned. I froze when I stopped in front of the closed door ahead of me. My heart pounded out of control. I'd dealt with men like Gabriel before, back in the business world; I'd made deals with plenty of them, but I was terrified of what I'd find on the other side of that door. I was desperate to see my daughter again.

Not only that, but I turned the handle and pushed the door open. The cold air of the room hit my face. My gaze slid to him automatically. Golden hair, white teeth perfectly aligned, piercing dark eyes, and a brooding face worth millions of dollars.

Gabriel Lancaster, my daughter's adoptive father.

“Come closer, Ms. Scarlat.” My eyes swept the room; no sign of a child anywhere, no toys scattered around, nothing to suggest my daughter had ever been there.

“Why should I hire you?” he asked when I turned around suddenly and our eyes met.

“What?” That wasn't the question to ask, and it was my worst mistake.

“Wrong answer.” He crumpled my résumé and threw it at my feet. “Call in the next candidate.”

“No one out there will be better than I.” The answer came out fast, certain, which made him lift his gaze again and give me his full attention. “I'm a mother to a little girl your daughter's age. Those women out there don't want to take care of a child—they're interested in you.”

He arched an eyebrow, staying silent, studying me.

“I have the feeling I know you from somewhere.” His eyes narrowed as he stared at me for a long moment. “Haven't we met before, Ms. Scarlat?”

My blood ran cold in my veins.