g the

nn

I'd be right now, I would have laughed so

or at the Walton Estat

?" they

ary. Potentially homicidal

... here I was, standing in front of a colossal gate that practical

s and schedule before I finally move in. I could be responsible. Polite. Charming. Totally competent

made me forget

a child from being hit by a car just yes

e campus. The estate itself was huge-manicured hedges, fountains that probably requ

d myself

g to sound cheerful but calm, professional. Not panicked. No

the door, eyebrows rai

" she said, voice polite

I said, off

andage. Slight bruise. Yep, th

y I live here? just to feel slightly less intrusive. The floors gleamed as though a team of ang

it ha

ssile came barreling dow

s! M

heart in

l boy about six years old, arms flailing lik

," I m

instinctively to mys

say when a six-year-old c

of the three children I was now responsible for helping educate. And j

s level. "Hi! Nice to meet you. I hear

his chest. "I almost got hit by a car yeste

renaline, the panic. And now I was being hailed as a hero by a six-year-ol

That was me. Hero. Slightly battere

led. "You're my h

ying. Cute, maybe. But defi

the soft shuffle of a

as h

min W

amed by the doorway, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Ca

venly, voice like

Something like a smile-but not quite. Eye

ause honestly, words seemed inadeq

, orchestrator of household sanity, whatever that is. She gave me a measured glance,

Milton, come with me. Let's d

Which is a challenge when your leg is throbbing and your

-

g was... i

work, manners, schedules, tutoring sessions, extracurriculars. A

I can trust around my children. Respon

"Totally. Absolutely. U

eyebrow. "Tod

n... it's been...

amin's expression softened slightly. But just slightly. En

h opinions sharper than their father's briefcase collection. They studied me like a new species

rms. "You saved him

s okay now. And we bonded o

You saved Adam? Cool!

, trying to keep

Like disappearing snacks. O

. "I'll w

hildren, and back. There was judgment there, yes-but also... something

m's endless questions, Elena's sharp tongue, Al

xhausted. But alive. Heroism still intact. And somewhe

get to survive my first official day

g presence, Benjamin Walton's eyes had betrayed something he was trying

-