Page 41 of Nanny for the Bratva Daddies

The text message blinks up at me.

Mom: I’m outside.

She’s here?!

Oh no. No no!

“Daniil, can you take over?”

Without giving him a chance to refuse, or any kind of explanation, I sprint from the bedroom and take the stairs two at a time. Having someone turn up at this time of night spells danger for the entire estate given how alert the guards are around the perimeter. It’s a sheer stroke of luck that she hasn’t been found already.

Outside, the cool night rush of mid-spring air clings to my bare arms as I rush past guards with a weak excuse and run full speed toward the back gate. At least she had enough sense not to turn up at the front.

Reaching the crumbling stone pillars at the bottom of the garden, I fling myself out the gate and skid on a damp patch of grass with a soft squeal. A bony hand wraps around my upper arm, catching me as my feet slide.

“Naomi!” My mother’s sharp tones send sickness lancing through me.

After regaining my footing, I spin to face her. Under the soft lights lining the wall, her face is sharp. Shadows cut across her features like blades. Bundled in a red coat, she’s almost crying out to be discovered.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Don’t you take that tone with me,” she snaps, retracting her hand from my arm. “You’re so sweaty. Honestly Naomi, I raised you better than this. If you lost a little weight, I’m sure you’d be able to move without so much exertion.”

“I ran!” Even now she saves no time before getting a dig in. Typical. “Why are you here?”

“Because you haven’t returned any of my calls. Did I not warn you clearly enough what would happen if you ignored me again? Does our family pain mean nothing to you?” Her eyes narrow to slits and her thin, painted lips press together so firmly that all color vanishes.

“Mom,” I pant, fighting the restriction around my chest. “I told you that things here were intense. I barely have a moment to myself never mind time to call you.”

Warmth roars through my body and sweat beads along my hairline. I really ran here all the way from the second floor. I’d be proud if I wasn’t so anxious that my mother was about to cause yet another intense upheaval.

“Have you fallen for their lies, hmm?” Her thin brow lifts. “I knew this was taking too long. You’ve spent too long here and been taken under their spell, haven’t you? I thought I raised you better, but clearly letting you live here for so long has been a mistake!”

Her voice lifts and my hands shoot out, waving in an attempt to calm her. “Please, someone will hear you. You have to be quiet.”

Her hand flies out so fast that it blurs in sight, and the sharp impact of her palm against my cheek is so shocking that the pain is non-existent for a few seconds. Then a different heat blooms under her handprint and tears spring into my eyes.

“What’s to stop me from telling the right people about Zasha if you’re going to be nothing but disobedient?” she snaps, her words as sharp as the edge of a blade. “I told you. Calling every few days. A meeting every three weeks. You’re here to gather dirt, not play family.”

I have to give her something. I have no idea what, but if I have any chance of keeping the peace here, even for a little while, I have to give her something. Something that will feel important without putting anyone in danger—more than I already have.

Regret sits heavy in my stomach. I shouldn’t have told her about Zasha.

“Well? Don’t just stand there like a dumb simpleton. What excuse do you have this time?”

“Fyodor told me he was Bratva.” My words are thin, shock from the slap still keeping the majority of my emotions at bay. “He told me straight so I’m no longer in the dark.”

My mother’s face lights up suddenly and the sharp, dangerous angles melt into the shadows. Her thin hands clutch my shoulders then she smiles widely.

“Naomi! This is excellent progress. Why didn’t you just say so?”

I have no answer.

“This is good.” She starts to nod, and her hair bounces slightly around her face. “You can openly ask questions now. Clearly, he trusts you which means he’ll be more likely to slip up. Now you need to start digging properly. You have a foothold so use it.”

I nod numbly.

“Anything you can to get your hands on like account numbers, partner deals, and anything you can use to destroy them is key here Naomi, understand?”

---