Page 36

CHAPTER ONE

KAI

H adley and Holden. I’d never heard of those two names before, ever in my life, until my maid called me and told me two kids were left at the door of my penthouse.

Kids.

Two of them.

Two fucking kids.

If you haven’t caught onto it already, I don’t do kids. I don’t have them. And I don’t want them.

The only thing I want right now is for the last thirty minutes to disappear because I’m unofficially guardian to a girl and a boy I never knew existed.

My sister never brought them around, let alone mention them. I could barely get a hold of her at times, but this is her taking it to a whole other level of bullshit.

Why in the absolute hell would she leave me with her two children is beyond me. I’m not unsuited financially or mentally by any means; however, I’m the first to admit I lack in the empathy department. And I know I’m going to need a lot of that to deal with two abandoned kids I’ve never had a relationship with.

“Sorry, Mr. Alexander. I don’t really know anything about kids.”

Damn, I’m on strike eighteen at this point with asking everybody in my office if they have a clue about kids so I can have someone go pick them up or something.

Or at least be there till I can figure shit out.

Pivoting away from one of my marketing executives, I don’t know what I’m paying all these people for.

Someone with half a brain and some knowledge of children needs to work here, for fuck’s sake.

“But the receptionist downstairs might.”

Bingo.

Turning back around, Jessica stares back at me with some fear in her eyes since I’ve been on a rampage in the office with probably some crazed look in my gaze. “She’s like one of a million kids. And she’s—“

“Where is she?”

Jessica’s blue eyes bulge a bit from my sharp tone before correcting herself. “Umm…downstairs. First floor.”

That’s all I need.

I make a quick stride toward the elevator and hit the lobby button. My Berluti dress shoes tap impatiently against the glossy tiled floors as the doors finally spread open, and I amble toward the receptionist’s desk.

A pretty brunette sits behind the desk, hanging up the phone, and is completely unaware of my aggravated appearance when she smiles at something.

I’m unamused as all hell.

Because she’s having a grand ‘ole time, and I’m about to lose my entire shit over my predicament.

“I need you to watch my niece and nephew.”

The brunette’s neck snaps in my direction before her eyes bulge, like Jessica’s did a few moments ago. “Mr. Alexander…” Her brows knit. “What?”

“Kids,” I leer through my teeth. “Can you watch them?”

She gawks at me like a man who’s lost his entire mind. It’ll be an ongoing trend in the office if it hasn’t started already. “I…I don’t watch kids.”

What the hell?

“You’re Daphne?”

“No.” I mindlessly glower at her for not being who I need her to be right now. “She’s—um…” The young woman glances down toward the floor. “Hey, Daph…”

I heard something hard hit underneath the desk, rattling it a bit, followed by an oomph before gold eyes pop over the edge. “What’s up, Va—“ Same reaction.

Widened eyes at my presence, and it’s beginning to turn into a broken record. I’m just waiting for a fucking band to break out in song any time now.

“Mr. Alexander is looking for some help,” her little friend states cautiously, like I’m a feral animal, as the woman I believe may be Daphne now slowly rises and forces me to take in everything.

Long, luscious locks of sun-kissed hair followed by a perfect handful of tits fill out a tight pink dress running down to the curve of her hips and—who the fuck is this?

I’ve never seen this woman in my entire life, and I walk through these doors daily. I’m not so in my emails to have noticed this gorgeous specimen before.

I would’ve remembered her.

She has a beauty mark on her right cheek, giving her this model look with soft cheekbones and plush lips. She might be pushing eighteen… I hope. I expect my HR department to handle all that shit, so she has to be an adult, right?

“How can I help you, Mr. Alexander?”

Even her voice is sweet. Though innocence isn’t exactly something I’m looking for, this sweet thing is some piece of ass.

But don’t you need someone stern to watch kids?

“I need a babysitter,” I deadpan.

She lifts her chin and slowly drops it. “Okay…do you need us to find one—“

“I need someone now.”

Her brows knit a bit before something flicks in her brain.

“Someone with half a brain.”

“I can make some calls,” she vouches, taking a seat at the empty chair behind her to lay the details of my needs.

“Where did you—“ Or not.

“I’m told you have kids.” Daphne’s nose wrinkles which alludes that’s a no. “Or you’ve dealt with kids.”

“I’m the oldest of seven.” Perfect. “But I can’t leave here.”

“Who said you couldn’t leave when your CEO is literally telling you otherwise?”

Daphne steals a glance at the brunette before looking back over at me. “Alright…when?”

“Now.”

“Right now?” I blow out a heavy exhale because I’m ten seconds away from losing my entire shit right now, and she’s smart to notice it.

“How many kids?”

“Two.”

“How old?”

“I don’t know.”

She knit her brows. “Your children—“

“We’re not about to pour over all the details,” I retort flatly, because I don’t fucking know anything about them. “All you need to do is be ready; I’ll have a car waiting for you out front to take you to my penthouse, where you’ll stay with them until I come home. Can you handle that?”

“Yes, but—“

“I’ll need you to be ready in five.” I begin to turn away to run back upstairs, but she stops me again with another question.

“Well, are they even aware I’m coming?”

“They’re kids.” I glimpse over my shoulder to find her staring at me like I’m so simpleminded—she’s surprised I can run a whole damn company.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-four.”

Huh.

A few seconds go by to where she doesn’t say another word, and I solicit, “Did you need anything else?”

“No.”

I allow my gaze to take her in for another three seconds before continuing on my way toward the elevator. I need my assistant to find me a professional daycare or nanny to fill in until I can find my damn sister, Katie.

She’s been battling with drugs on and off, but this is taking it to a whole other level right now.

Randomly dropping off kids and expecting them to be okay is a new one, even for her, and she’s not the most responsible.

She never has been.

When we were kids, I was always looking out for her and making sure she never got in trouble. At some point, you gotta cut the leash. So, when I started off my career, she got in with the wrong guys.

And now I’m stuck picking up the shit she left behind, so I don’t have a damn case brought against me about child neglect or something. All because Katie has no respect or common courtesy for me at all.

I’m going to wring her neck when I see her.

I’m not looking to gain a murder charge, but she’s crossed the damn line on this one.

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Off-limits, Enemies to Lovers, Romance Free

I just found out the one-night stand from last week is half my age and my best friend’s daughter.

She’s been working here two days and walks around like she owns the place, a straight pain in my a$$.

Nola’s drop-dead gorgeous but gets on my. Every. Last. Nerve.

I just couldn’t get that night out of my head when I tossed back my bourbon with a side eye and told her to get her act together.

Before I could blink, she was on my lap, her thick thighs straddling mine.

Being with her means I risk losing everything her father and I built.

He’s the one person responsible for my success.

She’s off-limits, but when I’m pressed against her, I can’t resist.

I didn’t reach this level of wealth without making hard decisions.

Protecting Nola unleashed an animal in me I haven’t seen in years. And I’ll do anything to win her heart and make her mine…