Page 66 of Nanny for the Don

Jack steps closer, his eyes dark and dangerous. “What do you think of my face, huh?” He points to his bruises, the busted-up mess Nico left him with.

I stare him down, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through me. “I think you must’ve deserved it for Nico to do that to you.”

Jack throws his head back and laughs, a twisted, humorless sound. “Oh, sweetheart, when I’m done with you, I’m gonna look like a fucking model in comparison.”

The threat hangs in the air, heavy and real. I try to stay strong, but I can feel the walls closing in. I switch gears, going for the clueless, innocent vibe. “Why me?” I ask, trying to sound like I’m not as scared as I am.

Jack grins, and it’s creepy as hell. “Hurting a man physically? That’s basic,” he says, stepping closer, his gross gaze locked on me. “But getting to his woman? Hurting her? That wrecks him. Makes him lose control. Nico will be so blinded by rage that he won’t be thinking straight. Easy pickings.”

“You’ve got it twisted. I’m just the nanny. Mr. Conti doesn’t care what happens to me. At most, he’s got to deal with the hassle of hiring a new one.”

Jack stares at me, his grin fading into something darker. I hold my breath, praying he buys my act. If Nico doesn’t show up soon, I’m not sure how much longer I can keep up this front.

He leans in, way too close, making my skin crawl. I squirm, trying to pull back, but there’s nowhere to go. His breath is hot and disgusting as it fans across my face.

“You’re notjustthe nanny, sweetheart. I know everything,” he says, his voice low and slimy. “I’ve seen what you and Nico get down to when the girls are asleep.”

My blood runs cold, a wave of panic washing over me.

He knows.

He’s seen us.

Jack gets even closer, his lips near my ear, and I can feel his breath on my skin. “Gotta say,” he whispers, “I loved watching your little exercise routine in Conti’s home gym.”

A wave of disgust hits me, and I have to fight the urge to throw up. Embarrassment, fear, and fury mix into this painful, swirling mess inside me, but my expression is cold when I look at him. I’m not giving this creep the satisfaction of seeing me break. I glare at him, my jaw clenched tight. He’s waiting for me to freak out, to cry, but I’m not going to give him what he wants. He can play his sick little games, but I’m stronger than that.

Jack looks at me like I’m some kind of toy he’s deciding whether to break. His gaze lingers on the dried blood from my busted lip, his lips twisting into an amused smirk.

“Hmm,” he muses, tilting his head like he’s deep in thought. “Do you look rough enough to really scare Conti? I don’t know.”

My vision goes hazy for a second, my body going cold.He’s serious.The thought alone makes me feel faint, but I grit my teeth and force myself to stay conscious. I will not pass out in front of him.

He lets his sadistic little statement hang in the air, enjoying the fear he knows I’m trying to hide. Then, after what feels like forever, he laughs.“Maybe if I get bored.”

Without warning, he grabs my chin roughly, forcing my face toward his. The sudden pressure makes my heart race, but I hold his gaze, determined not to show weakness.

He pulls out his phone, smirks, and prepares to snap a pic.

“Smile.”

Chapter 33

Nico

“Faster.”

I sit in the passenger seat, my jaw clenched tight, fists balled in my lap.Normally, I’d be the one driving, but I’m so fucking pissed off I know I’d end up driving us straight into a wall.

Sal’s at the wheel, keeping his eyes on the road as the sky darkens around us, the mood getting heavier by the minute. Behind us is another car with four of my best guys—my heaviest hitters. I’m ready for whatever comes next. This isn’t just about taking Jack out anymore. It’s about getting Willow back.My woman.

I know it now, with absolute certainty—I love her.

The thought of losing her, of not getting the chance to tell her how I feel, twists in my gut. It’s almost too much to bear, but I push it down. I have to stay focused. I have to get her back.I willget her back. Whatever it takes.

Just as I’m caught in that spiral of thoughts, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull my phone from my pocket, seeing an unknownnumberflash on the screen. Normally, I’d ignore it, but another message comes through, and then another. Something feels off, so I open them.

What I see makes my blood turn to fire. It’s Willow, her eyes full of fear. She’s pulled into a twisted selfie with Jack, that smug bastard grinning like he’s already won.

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