Page 1 of Hidden Desire

Chapter One

Robert sat in front of his computer and read over the last report from the Good Knight Society group he was involved in. The file was encrypted, and after he had read it, he had to destroy it.

He had been asked to join the group right out of college. He had never heard anything about it until then. But he learned quickly, and that’s how the faction wanted it. The group had come a long way and grown since he started, and still, one of their main objections besides helping people was to stay undetected.

Someone knocked at his door. “Come in,” Robert barked after closing the file. He glanced up to see one of his closest friends, Channing, walk in.

Robert relaxed back in his chair. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Channing said and sat in one of the chairs on the other side of his desk.

“What’s up?”

“How’s it going trying to find a nanny for Hannah?” Channing asked.

Robert snorted in disgust. “Every agency I’ve called hasno one free right now, but I’m on a waiting list. What the fuck am I supposed to do? Taylor can’t handle her too much longer. She says she’s too old to be chasing after a three-year-old. After I get home, I take over, but I get absolutely no work done then.”

Channing grinned. “I’ve seen your daughter in action. She’s definitely full of energy.”

Robert pinched the bridge of his nose. He was beyond frustrated, and it made him dislike his ex-wife even more. How a mother could leave her child without looking back stunned him. He learned that Dana, his ex-wife, only had the child to trap him into marriage, and he was ashamed to say he fell for it. It was almost a relief when he found out she was having an affair, probably more than one. He’d divorced her and hadn’t seen her since. One smart thing he’d done was get a prenup.

“I might have a solution,” Channing told him.

Robert dropped his hand. Fuck, he hoped so because he was at his wit’s end and exhausted.

“Emmet Nichols has a daughter who might be able to do it.”

Robert’s brows snapped together. “I didn’t know he had a daughter.”

“He doesn’t talk about her, and she’s never seen in public.”

“Why?” Robert asked.

Channing shrugged. “From what I hear, he’s a real jerk to her. I’ve been told she goes nowhere and that she is very sweet and would be a good nanny.”

Robert had heard worse about the guy. The Society already has a file on the bastard. “The man is a jackass.”

Channing nodded.

“So, I should just call him and ask?”

“I would.”

Robert reached for his phone.

“Claire, can you find me Emmet Nichols’s number, please?”

“I’ll get right back to you,” she said.

“That woman is a gem,” Channing said. “I wish I had a secretary like her.”

Robert smiled. “Is yours still trying to get in your pants?”

“Yes. I can’t seem to find one that’s competent. I figure if I look for an older woman, it might help.”

“I’ll see if Claire can find someone.”

“That would be great. I’ve gone through three secretaries already this year.”