Page 6

I nod, trying to keep my voice steady. “I would appreciate that very much, sir.”

I reach into my pocket, pulling out my keys and handing them over to him. My fingers brush his, just for a second, and I feel a tiny jolt of something that I don’t want to acknowledge.

He takes the key without hesitation, but his eyes flicker to mine for a brief moment, as though searching for something. His face is unreadable; his expression hard. There’s a flicker of something behind those eyes, but it’s gone before I can name it.

“Right. I’ll be quick,” he says. His voice is still tight, and he gives me a sharp nod before turning toward the door.

I watch him go, my thoughts drifting back to the baby in the swing. Zoe. I’m here to take care of her, to protect her. But already, something stirs inside me—a sense of responsibility, a pull that’s deeper than just doing a job.

You cannot do this to yourself, Ale.

The house feels colder without Gage in it, the silence pressing in from all sides.

I glance around the room, still taking in the sharp lines of the furniture and the immaculate space.

It feels like a place where nothing is allowed to be out of place, a place where Gage is in control of everything. But what about his daughter?

The thought makes me pause.

I turned back to her. She’s still asleep, but her tiny hands twitch again. I sit beside her, the rocking motion of the swing almost hypnotic. For a moment, I forget that I’m just the nanny, the hired help. It’s just me and this little girl who needs someone to show her what it means to be loved.

The door opens again, and I look up to find Gage standing there with a few of my totes and my large duffel suitcase. His eyes scan the room briefly before landing on me.

“Everything good?” He asks, his voice gruff but not unkind.

I nod quickly, forcing myself back into professional mode. “Yes, sir. Just getting situated."

He eyes me for a moment, his gaze flicking to Zoe and then back to me. I wonder what he’s thinking. Does he see how carefully I’m handling his daughter and how my heart’s in this even though I’m trying not to let it show?

I stand up from the swing and move toward the entryway where he’s left my things.

The bag feels heavier than it should, though it’s just clothes and a few toiletries.

I felt the gravity of the situation sink into my bones, a chilling weight settling deep within my soul.

This isn’t just me moving into a new place.

I’m stepping into a life that’s not mine, trying to fit into a world that doesn’t quite know how to welcome me.

“Do you need me to help with anything around the house while she sleeps?” I ask him, though it feels strange, offering help after he’s just brought everything in.

He shakes his head. “No, I’ve got it. You’ll be taking care of Zoe. She’s your priority.”

His words are so cold, so detached, but there’s something in them that makes my chest tighten. It’s the way he says it—like this is all business. Gage is already distancing himself. He’s a man who has learned to shut things off.

And I don’t blame him. I can see now how hard it must be to be a single father who's on active duty. How easy it would be to shut everyone out, to live with a wall between you and the world.

I force a smile, though it feels a bit strained. “Understood, sir. I’ll get started with Zoe. You don’t have to worry about that.”

His nod is brief, but he doesn’t move toward the door. Instead, he stands there for a moment, like he’s waiting for something or maybe trying to figure out what to do next.

Finally, he speaks again. “If you need anything—anything at all—don’t hesitate to ask. You’re here for Zoe, but we will be living around each other when I’m here. I can order something for dinner tonight and we can talk about the logistics of everything.”

“Of course,” I say quickly, my voice steady, but my insides churn. “I’m fine with whatever you like, and please let me know my share of the cost.”

“I got it. Live-in means I’ll be covering the food expenses as well.” He pulls his phone from his pocket and starts scrolling. “Chinese?”

That wasn’t a part of the job listing. It was supposed to be room and utility costs with a mileage reimbursement. “That wasn’t in the information on the posting. I’d be happy to cover my food expenses, especially since you're paying well above the going rate.”

The look he gives me leaves me frozen. “Well, it’s part of it. While you're here caring for my daughter, it’s my responsibility to make sure you eat.”

I’m not here to argue with him. I’m here to care for Zoe.

“Okay.” Just keep your mouth shut, Ale. This is an amazing opportunity. Don’t fuck this up.

I move back toward the living room, trying to ignore the way my thoughts are racing. Gage’s presence fills the space, even though he’s not saying much. I know he’s watching me, still unsure about this whole situation. I can feel the tension in the air, thick and uncomfortable.

“Why don’t you grab her, and I’ll take your stuff upstairs to your room?” He picks the totes back up along with the duffel and motions for me to follow him.

Unbuckling Zoe, I cradle her to my chest and inhale. Newborn baby smell…it’s addicting. I trace her crown of soft hair, admiring how tiny she is.

“ No te preocupes, nina. Te tengo. ” I whisper, grabbing her thin blanket and covering her up. Turning around, I find Gage’s eyes on me, his face giving away no emotion.

“So,” Gage says after a moment, his voice breaking the silence. “Ready?”

I glance over at him, watching him fidget with the strap of my duffel bag.

“We’re ready,” I reply, my voice gentle. “Lead the way.”

There’s another long pause, one that stretches between us like a gap neither of us knows how to cross.

He clears his throat again, then turns, heading straight up the staircase.

“This is the spare bathroom,” he points to the door on the left.

“Storage room—mostly my gear. I do have firearms in the house, but I assume you're alright with them.”

I nod. “Yep, I have my own in the top tote. Don’t worry, it’s locked up, though.”

A look of surprise flashes across his face as he continues down the hall. “This is my room, and the nursery is next to it. And this,” stopping at the last door on the left. “Is yours.”

Pushing the door open with his foot, he heads inside and puts the totes and my duffel down on the bed. “Let me go grab the last two totes.”

While he runs back downstairs, I take in the room.

A huge queen-sized bed and a generous-sized closet are the first things I notice.

Then the wall-mounted TV, a desk, a dresser, and a bookshelf with a chair and light.

Holy crap, Gage Donovan doesn’t skimp on comfort.

I hear his footsteps on the stairs as Zoe and I check out the bathroom.

“ ?Mierda! ” This bathroom is huge. There’s a tub and a walk-in shower with not one but two shower heads.

“Everything okay?” He peeks his head in, and I spin around.

“Uh… yeah. Well, you know you’re really overpaying for this job, right? I mean, the room and board alone are generous. But on top of all that, you're paying me a monthly salary and reimbursement for mileage, gas, and food.” I narrow my eyes at him. “Are you a serial killer or something?”

Gage seems to consider my words for a moment before he exhales through his nose, glancing at Zoe.

“Nope, just a guy that had a kid dropped on him after a really fucking bad decision before deploying.” He scratches the back of his head, looking defeated.

“I’m gonna go wait for the food to be delivered. You got her?”

“Yeah, I’ve got her.”

Then, without another word, he leaves, the door clicking softly behind him. Leaving me with Zoe and a feeling that I struck a nerve with him. I know I don’t know the entire story and maybe one day he’ll tell me. But there is sadness in his eyes and my heart now aches for him, too.

I breathe in, steadying myself. I know this is just the beginning. There’s a lot ahead of us—me, Zoe, and Gage. And though I can’t let myself get too attached, part of me knows that it’s going to be harder than I thought.