Chapter 5

Olivia

Early the next morning, I loaded the last of my things into my car.

Thank God Uncle Mike replaced the battery yesterday. There was no way I could drag a suitcase and a storage box across town on a bus while moving into the Hawthorne estate.

After packing the trunk, I walked back inside the house and paused in the living room.

It felt strange knowing I wouldn’t be sleeping here tonight.

Part of me was excited.

Another part felt horribly guilty.

Like I was abandoning my father.

“The place won’t feel the same without you, kiddo.”

I turned at the sound of my father’s voice.

“Hey, Dad.”

He stood near the hallway looking tired but sober.

“It’s going to be okay,” he said quietly. “I know you need to live your own life. I’ve been selfish keeping you tied here.”

“Dad, I—”

I stopped myself because honestly, I didn’t know what to say.

He gave a weak smile.

“No, it’s true.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’ve been a mess since your mother died. I should’ve been the one holding things together, not you. I’m supposed to be the parent.”

Emotion tightened my throat instantly.

“I’m going to miss you,” I admitted before stepping forward and hugging him tightly.

He held me just as tightly back.

“Go make me proud,” he murmured. “And don’t let those Hawthornes push you around. If this doesn’t work out, you’ll always have a home here.”

Then he added quietly, “I’m really going to try getting sober this time.”

I pulled back slightly and smiled at him.

He’d made that promise before.

A lot of times.

But maybe this time would be different.

Maybe me leaving would finally force him to confront reality.

“All right,” he said, clearing his throat. “You better get going. They said eight a.m., didn’t they? Don’t be late, young lady.”

I laughed softly.

“You’re going to be okay?”

“I’ll survive,” he replied. “Now go be a nanny.”

I smiled one last time before heading out the door.

The drive to the Hawthorne estate felt surreal.

Every mile made this new life feel more real.

When I reached the massive iron gates, I rolled down my window beside the intercom.

A rough male voice crackled through the speaker.

“Yes?”

“Hi,” I said quickly. “I’m Olivia Carter. I’m Lily Hawthorne’s new nanny.”

There was a brief pause.

“At least you’re punctual today.”

Then the gates slowly opened.

I blinked.

Had I just been insulted or complimented?

Honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure.

I drove slowly up the long winding driveway until a man stepped forward near the front entrance and motioned for me to stop.

I rolled the window down farther.

“Morning,” he greeted politely. “I handle the vehicles here. If you’d leave me your keys, I’ll park the car for you.”

I stared at him.

“They have valet parking here too?”

He chuckled faintly.

“Not exactly. But close enough.”

“Wow.” I shook my head. “I missed all this yesterday because my car died and I had to walk here in the rain.”

“Oh, trust me,” he said with amusement. “Everyone heard about that. Mrs. Hawthorne hiring you after that entrance surprised a lot of people.”

Great.

Apparently I was already famous.

I parked the car and climbed out before grabbing my suitcase and small storage box from the backseat.

“I’m Olivia,” I said. “Most people call me Liv.”

“Marcus,” he replied. “Need help with your things?”

I glanced down at my single suitcase and box.

“Nope. This is basically my whole life.”

Marcus looked mildly surprised.

“You’re definitely different from the usual nannies.”

That didn’t sound promising.

“Do they go through a lot of them?” I asked.

He snorted.

“Let’s just say Lily’s difficult… and your other problem tends to be the Hawthorne boys.”

I sighed internally.

Again with the sons.

“Let me guess,” I muttered. “The previous nannies slept with one of them.”

“More than one,” Marcus corrected dryly.

Fantastic.

“Well,” I said, adjusting the box in my arms, “I’m not here for them. I need this job way too badly to risk it over some rich guy.”

Marcus gave me a knowing look.

“Heard that before.”

I laughed awkwardly.

“Trust me. I know their reputation.”

And unfortunately, Ethan Hawthorne absolutely looked like the type of man capable of ruining common sense entirely.

“Good luck, Liv,” Marcus said before climbing into my car to park it.

I watched him drive away before turning toward the front entrance.

I wasn’t even sure if I was supposed to knock.

Before I could decide, the front door suddenly swung open.

A blonde woman wearing a microscopic red dress stepped outside.

She stopped when she saw me standing there.

Then her eyes swept over my jeans, sweater, and suitcase before she rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Yeah,” she muttered. “Good luck with that.”

I frowned.

“Excuse me?”

“You seriously think you’ve got a chance with those boys?” she scoffed.

Ah.

One of those girls.

“Well,” I said evenly, “that’s good news because I’m here for Lily, not them. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get inside.”

I squeezed past her before she could respond.

Behind me, I heard an annoyed huff.

I ignored it completely.

The second I stepped into the foyer, Mrs. Hawthorne appeared.

“I’m glad to see you arrived on time,” she said smoothly. “And I apologize you had to encounter whatever trash one of my sons dragged home last night.”

I nearly choked trying not to laugh.

“I do try to be punctual,” I replied carefully. “Yesterday was just… unfortunate circumstances.”

“Good.”

Her eyes flicked toward my belongings.

“Is this everything? Or should I expect more luggage later?”

I shook my head.

“No, ma’am. This is it.”

One perfectly arched brow lifted slightly, but she thankfully didn’t comment.

“Follow me.”

I quickly grabbed my suitcase again and followed her upstairs.

The second floor looked even more intimidating than downstairs.

Elegant artwork lined the walls, expensive chandeliers glowed overhead, and long hallways stretched endlessly in both directions.

Mrs. Hawthorne stopped near a row of ornate doors.

“This,” she said, pointing toward a white door decorated with flowers, “is Lily’s room.”

Then she gestured toward the room directly beside it.

“And this will be yours.”

Relief washed through me.

At least I’d be close to Lily.

“Thank you,” I said sincerely.

Mrs. Hawthorne then pointed across the hallway.

“That room belongs to Ethan.”

My stomach betrayed me with an embarrassing little flip.

“Next to his is Logan’s. Across from them are Mason and Ryder.”

Four brothers.

All on the same floor.

Wonderful.

Mrs. Hawthorne crossed her arms.

“I’m showing you this for one reason only,” she said coolly. “I better never catch you inside any of those bedrooms. Are we clear?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I answered immediately. “Crystal clear.”

“Good.” Her expression remained sharp and unreadable. “Then we shouldn’t have any problems.”