“Hey!” She perked up. “Your dad was just telling us about the nanny. I’m making coffee, and I can whip some breakfast up for the kids if you want. I’d be more than happy to step in for a while until you find someone.”
“I’ve got a few interviews lined up already for Monday.”
“I can handle those too if you want. I know you’re busy with work,” Nay suggested.
“Nah.” Kong shook his head. “I need to handle this on my own. I appreciate it, though.”
“Kong, take the help,” Audiemar advised, bringing his coffee mug to his lips.
The high-pitched screams echoing through the halls pulled everyone’s attention. Kara was having another meltdown. There was no telling what it was over this time. Only one in house staff member remained, and that was the maid, Yasmine. She carried Kara into the kitchen, kicking and screaming, with Kyro not far behind them, his face in his handheld game. Kong had asked Yasmine to help get Kara dressed since he didn’t have any more help once Natalie left. His daughter’s arms flailed crazily like someone was trying to kidnap her. Yasmine finally released her, and she collapsed in a heap in the middle of the kitchen floor.
“I’m sorry, sir. I tried to get her dressed. She refused to put on anything I picked out for her,” she declared, out of breath with eyes full of desperation.
She’d brought a pair of shorts and a t-shirt anyway, but Kara was still in her pajamas, with her thick curls all over her head.
“It’s fine, Yasmine. I’ll take care of it.” Kong faced them, and Yasmine practically fled the room.
“Let me take a whack at it.” Phoebe stepped past Kong and his father.
“Kara, honey, it’s time to take those pajamas off and put some clothes on. I can even braid your hair for you.” Phoebe inched toward the four-year-old as she sat up with her legs crossed and her arms tucked over her shoulders in a pout.
“No! I wear my jammies all day!” she screamed.
“Honey, don’t you want to get cute in case your daddy wants to take you somewhere? You can’t go outside in your pajamas.” Phoebe tried reasoning with her.
She was met with nothing but a scowl from the toddler as she poked her bottom lip out. Although a terror, Kara was one of the most beautiful little girls in the world. She had the same brownskin tone as her mama, while Kyro came out as a mini version of his father.
She slowly brought herself to her feet and stepped closer to Phoebe, who knelt so they could be eye level. She looked her dead in the face, searching her hazel eyes.
“No!” Kara belted once more, shattering the woman’s eardrum.
“Kara!” Kong barked, making his daughter flinch as her head whipped toward him. “Put your clothes on, now!”
Eyes misting, lip quivering, she trembled in front of her father. Immediately, he regretted yelling at her, but his patience was as thin as thread. Kara snatched her things off the floor and stomped out of the kitchen. They could hear her little feet all the way up the stairs. When she reached her bedroom, she slammed the door shut with all her little might. Bowing his head, Kong let go of a frustrated breath.
“You look like you could use some downtime,” Nayelli observed. “Why don’t I take you out to dinner tonight? Just for a few hours. It’s easy to get frustrated with them, and if you aren’t happy, they won’t be either,” she pointed out with a shrug.
“I think that is a great idea. I can sit here with your father and keep an eye on them,” Phoebe chimed in.
Nayelli tucked some of her blonde curls behind her ear and waited for Kong to respond. It couldn’t hurt to have a night out. He hung with his brothers all the time, but he hadn’t entertained a woman in that way since Twyla. His only interest was in catching a nut, temporarily filling a void. Beyond that, he wondered if he would ever be able to have a meaningful relationship again. Unlike his brothers, Kong had never been on that player shit. While he enjoyed the opposite sex, he had no desire to keep up with a string of women.
“Yeah, whatever,” he agreed, watching Kyro take a seat at the breakfast nook.
“Can I have something to eat?” his son asked, not bothering to look up from his game.
“I can make you something.” Nayelli smiled from the counter.
Kyro cut his gaze from the game screen and emptily stared across the room at her. He was familiar enough with Nayelli, but he didn’t like her. He couldn’t exactly say why, though. She was always trying too hard, and he sensed that it was because she wanted to be on Kong’s good side, not his.
“I’ll take some oatmeal,” Kyro requested, a devious glint behind his eyes that Kong caught.
“Okay, I can?—”
“No,” Kong interrupted, holding his hand up. “The last nanny just left, covered in his breakfast. Matter of fact, you’re fasting until lunch.” Kong aimed a stern finger at his son.
“You just gon’ starve me? Ain’t that child abuse?” Kyro queried, scowling.
“Consider it a religious practice today.”
