The Ice CEO's Contracted Nanny

And

my own skin. Each lurch made Ellie's head sway against my shoulder, he

ions, counting the seconds between the frantic poundi

d read 102.6°F before we left. Now, in the crowded, stuffy train, I coul

e. The intervi

demand a spotless résumé, years of experience, or an "ava

ght cl

o six in t

barely cover the back

thermometer, maybe even a clinic visit if I

ow. Without it, Ellie would keep b

y arms, her small, fever-warm weight a

reflecting the city's gray sky in its immaculate windows. Its inter

er people. People who didn't have t

a curved desk with a smiling woman behind it. It was a professional, rehea

on," she gree

oon. I'm Emm

for the night cl

of the cavernous lobby. "I'm sorry... I had to bring my sis

ag read "Sarah, " looked at El

with fever, and shrank further agai

aning slightly over the desk. "Hey, sweetie. Would you like a little cup of water? And I've

efully into one of the plush armchairs, draping my old coat over

ing in there to talk to someone. I'll be right back. Do

rmured, her voice a

aging nod, and soon a w

asses and a calm voice that carried an air of au

al light pouring through a glass wall. Mar

ttle about yourself. Why

tness in my chest forcing the

I don't have money for decent medicine, let alone a proper doctor's visit. If I don't get this job toda

t. Her gaze held no judgment, only

leaning, and you'll be alone most of the time. Do you

manage," I lied. It was wh

lence, then a faint sm

tart Monday. We'll go up to H

lmost a physical blow. My eyes burned, but

was still in the armchair, scribbling slow

e angel. She did

teful smile spreading across my face as the fir

scent of strong coffee and fresh paper. The receptionist there was another story: a wo

der the halls," she warned befo

llie, taking her hot

Sarah, okay? Don't leave this spot. Don't touch anything. Don't talk to anyone. I'm just

s red-rimmed from f

, Emm

. My heart was pounding so loudly I could barely register the HR w

fifteen minutes. And

hair was

was tossed o

gn of

ice came out too loud, ech

from her monitor, her expres

tood and walked away. "I'm no

me. I broke into a run, my b

uniform down the hall and aske

well, but I couldn't tell if she

ai

ing the steps two at a time,

in the hallway. A few people were standing around, staring

Six years old, light brown hai

ok her head, her

see anyone

rs slid open with agonizing

ll hand. My sister was walking, weak bu

ushing to her and d

oring me. "I found her on the seventh floor, lost and crying. The clea

er fragile bones against my chest, the heat of her

orgive me... I'll never

tle arms around my ne

mmy... I thought

never leave y

a grip that was almost possessive. I j

s go

ard the elevator.

behind. A small body clung to me with despe

air caught

een eyes, brimming with tears. Messy blond hair. The same r

ca

is entire life for this exact second.

oarse, broken, nearly in

as he had that day on the pavement. We were there, locked in that im

And how do you

oked

blue of a gathering storm, his expre

way disa

building di

d, the world st