Chapter 2 Meeting the Ice King

Sienna toyed with the buckle of her bag as the butler led her through the sumptuous corridors of the Pierce Estate for the second time in two days. The extravagance that surrounded her was overwhelming, from the massive chandeliers to the paintings that adorned the walls at sky-high prices. But everything unnerved her less than the man she was about to meet.

Grayson Pierce.

She had read his name on the business page, heard talk of his brutal negotiations, but nothing had gotten her ready for standing before him.

The butler hesitated before a pair of dark mahogany doors before nodding coldly and opening them. "Mr. Pierce will see you now."

Sienna took a breath and walked in.

The office was enormous, lined with bookshelves, expensive leather chairs, and a floor-to-ceiling window looking out over the estate. And in the center of it all, behind a sleek black desk, sat the Ice King himself.

Grayson Pierce didn't look up immediately. He was scanning a document, his expression unreadable, his sharp jawline tense with focus. Dressed in another perfectly tailored suit, he exuded power and control. The air around him felt heavy, charged.

Finally, he lifted his gaze, piercing gray eyes locking onto hers. "You're here." His tone was clipped, void of any warmth or welcome.

Sienna resisted the urge to cross her arms. "That is why I knocked."

A brow curled slightly, as if surprised by her disrespect. No doubt, others rushed to impress him. She would not be among them.

Grayson leaned back in his chair, looking at her. "This is a business transaction. You're here to see work done, not make connections. My daughter needs discipline, not coddling."

Sienna bristled at his chilly tone. "I know about professionalism, Mr. Pierce. But your daughter is not a business deal. She's a child."

His jaw tensed. "And she's my responsibility."

Sienna met his gaze level. "Then why am I here?"

A tense silence hung between them. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes-frustration? Guilt?-and then it was gone, leaving nothing but the steady blue of his gaze.

Grayson took a harsh breath. "Lily is... difficult. She doesn't easily trust, and I don't have time for failed efforts."

Sienna raised an eyebrow. "Failed efforts? So you're not a first nanny for me?"

His expression darkened. "No. And none of them remained."

She glared. "Why?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

That wasn't ominous at all.

Grayson stood, clearly done with the conversation. "I'll have Dawson draw up some house rules and a schedule. You start immediately."

Sienna stood too. "I'd like to meet Lily first, please."

He regarded her, something in her resolve drawing his gaze slightly narrowed, the way he would challenge her to answer. Then, paused for a moment, nodded. "Fine."

He twirled and led her down the estate's lengthy corridors. The tension lingered between them, thick with unspoken things. By the time they reached Lily's door, Grayson hesitated for the smallest of moments before his hand closed on the handle.

A little, fragile child sat curled up beside the window, unaware of the world beyond. She did not turn at their entry. Did not even hear them.

Grayson's tone was gentler now, almost strained. "Lily, this is Miss Carter. She'll be your new nanny."

The child did not move.

Grayson's jaw hardened. Sienna, however, came closer with a different attitude. She dropped her bag and sat on the floor, maintaining a distance. "You have a beautiful room," she murmured. "And an amazing view."

There was silence.

Sienna didn't press for conversation. Instead, she spoke, in a gentle voice, of the butterflies she'd seen outside, weaving an unelaborate story of how they carried secrets breathed into existence.

Lily's fingers moved against her cuff for the first time. A small, almost imperceptible movement, but Sienna saw it.

So did Grayson. His gaze shifted to her, his expression neutral.

For a man whose hands were on everything, Sienna recognized this-this anguish of his daughter's-was the one thing that was still out of his reach.

And Grayson Pierce did actually look at her as if she was something more than an employee.

She was something he still hadn't worked out.