“Besides her foul mouth and her need to get under my skin by challenging me? No. Nothing crazy. Now, what is your definition of crazy as it concerns your sister? Is there anything else I need to know about?”
“Xari’s level of crazy fluctuates and it’s never the same from one week to the next. She’s super…emotional. Everything is tied to that. It’s like she has no filter.”
“I’ve noticed. Frankie likes her a lot. I’ve never seen her connect with anyone so easily.”
“I knew she would love Xari. I hope things work out.”
“Yeah, me too.” I watched Navy as she left my office and went into the hall. Apollo stood outside my door and she was the only reason he looked away from his phone. He trailed her for a few seconds until she got back to her desk, then went back to his phone.
When Navy first came to work for me a year ago, I thought there would be trouble with having a beautiful young woman as my assistant. Luckily, Navy was nothing short of an exemplary professional. Also, as beautiful as she was, Navy and I had no spark. I counted myself blessed because lord knows I have a soft spot for gorgeous, well-dressed women. That’s exactly why Xari was such a problem. Luckily, I was turned off by how young she was.
…
I checked the clock at 3:30 when Frankie got out of school and waited for her to call or text. She knew that was a rule and I purposefully didn’t tell Xari because I wanted to see how responsible my daughter could be around the new nanny. I hoped that Frankie would see and respect Miss Lucas as an adult and not a best friend.
At 3:35, my phone rang with a Facetime call from Frankie. When I answered it, Xari’s face came into view. Full lips painted matte red, impossibly long eyelashes, and a smattering of copper freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose and cheeks. Her regal cheekbones were highlighted with something golden that made her look ethereal.
Ethereal?
Van, snap the fuck out of it.
“Hi, Mr. Freeman,” she chirped. Her voice was softer than her personality. That was for damn sure. “Um, what time was I supposed to pick Frankie up?”
“What do you mean? You have her phone, why don’t you have her?”
“Well, don’t panic but…” Her big espresso brown eyes shifted from left to right, making my chest tighten. What the hell happened to my daughter?
“But what?” My voice exploded.
“I’m playing with you. I picked her up on time.” She stuck her pink tongue out at me then handed the phone to Frankie. I pressed my hand to my chest then rubbed my temple.
“Frankie, don’t play games like that, okay?”
“Daddy, it was funny. Calm down.” She was nearly doubled over with laughter. I loved the way her eyes lit up but I wasn’t with the fuck shit her and Xari were playing. I was serious about my child.
“Calm down? You think playing about your safety is funny?” I glared into the phone. I caught a glimpse of myself in the smaller box at the top of my screen and realized how much I looked like my father when I made that face. I forced my muscles to relax. “Hand the phone to Miss Lucas.”
“Uh oh, am I in trouble?” I could tell by the mischief in her eyes that she was being sarcastic. She had a fucking talent for it and it ate away at my nerves every time. Why couldn’t she just be normal?
“Miss Lucas, I don’t find your little joke funny. Don’t do it again. You’ll be lucky if you’re still an option for the position by the time I get home.” The casual smile dropped from her face and she narrowed her eyes enough for me to know I had her attention but not enough for it to come off as disrespect.
“Are you serious?” She scoffed.
“Very. Hand the phone back to my child.” The moment Frankie’s annoyed face popped on screen I heaved a sigh. “I will talk to you about this when I get home.”
“Okay, Daddy.” She ended the call and I let the phone clatter to my desk. I knew dealing with one preteen would be tough but Xari was turning out to be preteen number two.
“Hey, Senator Freeman, I’m gone for the day. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?”
“Your day was over pretty fast,” Apollo said. He’d