Nanny and Her Four Alpha Bullies

Chapter 26 

The remainder of the week goes by slowly and, somehow, without conflict. I haven’t seen Archer much since Nanny school on Thursday. He’s been hiding out in his room or bolting through the Pyramid to class. Nell and Steven have been home the most. I’m strangely starting to enjoy their company. 

Steven is shy but sweet. He also knows so, so much about everything. He’ll sometimes ramble on and get lost in his words and then flush in the face when he realizes it. 

Neil is creative and kind. He’s not once raised his voice at me. He’s always covered in paint and I mainly see him cleaning his brushes in the kitchen sink. He usually has headphones on but he’ll always give me a quick wave or half smile. 

Beau is still a misogynistic prick. I’ve counted three girls in the Pyramid since Thursday evening. It’s Friday afternoon. 

And Archer, well, he’s Archer. Elusive and angry. 

Classes are going well. I’ve managed to get into the grove of things. The technology at Moonriver is far superior to anything I had at Greendale. Debbie’s been good about helping me in the classes we share together. It’s what she’s currently doing as I fumble with setting up the circuitry for my robot. 

*Red to 

red and black to black,” she says as she clips the final wire in. She gives a happy cheer before leaning back in her chair. The robot whirs to life and beeps a few times before going to set up the task it’d been assigned to. 

“Gods,” I sigh, exhausted. “How do you remember all this?” 

Debbie shrugs “My dad’s an engineer. Must be in my genetics.” 

I can’t help but snort. Look where my genetics have gotten me. Debbie’s quiet for a minute, fiddling away with her notes before she looks 

back at me. 

“Soooo,” she draws it out long like a kid asking for more cookies. “Homecoming is Saturday. Please tell me you’re going.” 

I groan. “Yes, I’m going.” 

“Ecce!” Debbie squeals, shaking her hands in the air. “But I’m not going to ignore how miserable you sound about doing so.” 

I consider telling her about the fact I’m being forced to go for some weird ceremony thing. I see Archer’s face beet red with anger in my brain and decide against it. 

“I hate dances,” I fiddle with my pen. “I hate dresses, I hate awkward small talk. I hate looking like a doll and I actually hate dancing.” 

“Oh come on,” Debbie says. “No one can hate dancing” 

“They can,” I protest. “And I do.” 

“Don’t be such a sour puss,” Debbie scowls. “Did you get a dress yet? We can go into town and get you one after class!” 

I think about the closet of uniform clothes I have at home, all branded with the Hayes crest. They’re all modest and aren’t my style at all. It wouldn’t surprise me if Archer had something similar for me for the dance. I grit my teeth as I speak to Debbie. 

“I do,” I say. I give her a soft smile. “Thank you, though.” 

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Chapter 26 

“No problem,” she says. “I can’t wait to see it.” 

Dread fills me as I grumble under my breath. “Me too.” 

零61%斷 

One illy put together robot later, I leave class and start back to procure Mia from Archer. It’ll be the first time we’re speaking since the nut issue. He was silent most of Thursday’s class and has been avoiding me since. The thought causes a pit of anxiety in my chest. I rub my hand over my heart to try and rid myself of it. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I take the tunnel into the pyramid and B–line to Archer’s room. When I get there, I knock gently on the door. There’s silence before it’s whipped open. I’m expecting Archer to be angry that I’m in his presence but, he’s not. His face is oddly stoic. Something about him seems… changed. He holds Mia in his arms. She squeals when she sees me. 

“Hi, babygirl!” I coo at her. I pluck her gently from Archer’s arms and cradle her to my chest. She babbles back at me. 

“She just woke up from a nap,” Archer says. He hands me her diaper bag. “She should be good until bed.” 

Inod once. Mia’s hand goes to my cheek and I plant a kiss on it. She says something unintelligible with a screech of happiness. I shift her sol can throw the diaper bag over my shoulder. Then I look back at Archer. 

“That all?” 

“No,” he says, flat. It’s still, somehow, soft. “I have something for you. It’s in Mia’s room.” 

My eyebrows furrow. I start to get worried about it but then look at Archer’s face. He’s not wearing the devious smirk I’ve seen before when he’s “gifted” me whatever bullshit he wants to put on me. 

“Oh,” I say quietly. “Okay.” 

Archer brushes against me as he leaves his room. He shuts the door behind his back and then walks down the hall to mine and Mia’s room. He tentatively opens the door and I mentally prepare myself for the worst. 

Pile of dirty diapers. 

Leash for the collar. 

Full on ankle monitor. 

What I see is none of that. I actually gasp when I see my present, shimmering in the sunlight streaming through the window. My hand covers my mouth. 

Hanging up by my wardrobe is a beautiful midnight blue dress. It sparkles but not as if it’s covered in rhinestones, as if stars themselves are embedded in the fabric. It’s strapless with a slit up the leg. It’s honestly the most wonderful piece of clothing I’ve ever been gifted. 

“For the dance,” Archer says. “You’re representing us now. That means your representing opulence and luxury.” 

My hopes and wishes fall as I remember why I’m going. “Does it have a crest on it?” I ask. 

Archer shakes his head. “Looked too tacky,” he says. “I couldn’t have that.” 

Of course he couldn’t have that. 

I set Mia in her crib and slowly walk over to the dress. The fabric feels like water in my hands. I look back at Archer. Something within 

19:18 Sat, 22 Jun R 

Chapter 26 

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himhaschanged, I don’t know what sparked this or why but he feels gentler. Kinder. I look up at him with a burst of hope in my eyes. Maybe he’s realized I’m not the bad guy 

“Thank you,” I say. 

Archer nods once, sharply. “For the dance.” 

He says it like he’s trying to justify it to himself, I ignore it and look back at the dress. It’s so beautiful. I can’t wait to see how it looks on me. I 

look back at Archer. 

“Can I try it on?” 

“You have to,” he says. “I need to make sure it fits.“” 

I think about last time we did this little song and dance. Archer’s hands sliding across my hip. My face feels hot and I turn back to the dress. I gingerly take it into the bathroom with me and slip bare before sliding it on. 

It feels better on my body than it did in my hands. I pause a moment to just look at myself in the mirror. The dress looks out of place on my scarred body with messy hair. But still, I feel wonderful in it. 

I try and yank the zipper up but it gets stuck. I groan. With it halfway up, I shuffle out of the bathroom and back into my room. Archer is playing with Mia when I walk in. He stops immediately and turns towards me. 

“Um,” I say, sheepishly. “The zipper’s stuck. Can you help?” 

Archer nods, silently, and strides across the floor to help me. I spin around so my back is towards him and I suck in a breath as I wait. His hands tentatively touch me, skimming my back ever so lightly. However, the heat transfers from him and radiates across my body. I gasp quietly as it hits my brain. 

Slowly, Archer places his hand on my hip. His thumb strokes over the front of my hip bone. I can’t help the slight whimper that escapes my throat. Everything about him is warm and dangerous. I feel like prey for the taking. He drags the zipper up, finger still pressed to my skin. It hits the top and he lets go. His hand is still on my and fans down towards my other hip. 

I turn around like time has stopped. His hands are still on me and I press my chest to his. He gasps lightly. There’s something drawing us together, knitting our threads up so tightly. I tip my chin to look at Archer. His staring down at me, lips slightly parted. 

I can’t believe this. I’m melting in his arms. 

The door is thrown open and immediately Archer shoves me back. I jerk my head towards the door and see Beau standing in the door frame. He looks confused then it twists into something slightly possessive. His eyes rake over me and turn dark. He whips his head towards Archer. 

“I was looking for you,” he says. “Wanted to train. Clearly, you’re busy.” 

“I’m not,” Archer snaps. The façade of him is gone. The Archer I knew is back. “Let me change and I’ll be ready.” 

Quick as a hare, he’s out of the room. Beau still stands in the door frame, watching me like a hawk. I swallow and nod at him. 

“Something you need?” 

“No,” Beau shakes his head. “You look lovely, by the way.” 

“Oh,” I squeak. “Thank–thank you.” 

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Chapter 26 

He nods once and then closes the door behind himself. I turn back to look at myself in the mirror. This dress, this life is something I’ve never 

encountered. 

I wonder what it’s like to live like this every day.