Page 122 of Nanny for the Firefighter

His grip faltering, Jai whips his attention to the house, growling and cursing.

“What the fuck?!”

Suddenly, I realize the third grocery bag is right by my leg just a few inches away from my fingers. I stretch my fingers out, grouping for the handles.

It feels like years before I’m able to get a grip on the bag, but when I do, I use everything I have to hoist the thing in a wide circle toward Jai’s face.

The groceries smash into Jai’s face, and I rush inside, slamming the door back into place and locking it.

“Ahh! You bitch!”

Jai’s screams ring out, and I sprint from the door to the living room. Mia looks confused and scared, and I try to offer her a smile as I scoop her up in my arms.

“Hey, sweetie. It’s okay. That’s just the alarm. I need to take you upstairs, okay?”

She stares up at me, covering her little ears because of the sound. “Loud!”

“Yeah, hun. It’s loud.”

As I run with her up the stairs, I hear the sound of glass breaking in the living room. Jai’s broken in through the large window there.

Dammit! No, no, no. I need to keep Mia safe.

She buries her little face in my chest as we reach the top of the stairs. I swing a hard right and get her into her bedroom.

“Okay, honey. Stay right here for me, okay? I’m going to check on that loud noise.”

Mia reaches for me, and I frown, trying so fucking hard not to break down in front of her.

“Bridgey?”

“It’s okay, hun.” Mia is still holding her stuffed unicorn that she’s always carrying around. “Hold onto Uni. Keep her close. Here.”

Stepping back, I reach for the colorful books she has on her shelves and pull a few down.

“Read some stories, okay? I’ll be right back.”

Pulling the books closer, Mia starts looking through some of her favorites, and I take the opportunity to leave the room, closing the door behind me.

I need to keep Jai away from her if it’s the last thing I do.

Slowly, I shuffle down the hallway, keeping an eye out for any sign of Jai. I don’t think he came upstairs, which is good.

Where do I go? Come on, Bridget. Think.

Eyeing the hall in front of me, my brain is churning like a damn storm. Jai is in the damn house, and I don’t know when the police can get here.

Calling them would get them here faster, of course.

My phone.

Resolve strengthens me. I need to get to my damn phone to make sure the police come. And Mason.

I slip down the hallway quietly, keeping my back to the wall until I reach the stairs. I’ve learned the creaks and sounds of this house over the weeks, and I make sure to avoid the noisier steps.

The house is too quiet, though. I don’t like it, and I still don’t see Jai.

As I reach the base of the stairs, I lean around the corner to peek into the living room. My phone is still on the coffee table.

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