Page 18 of Nanny for the Don

“Not much, boss,” Sal responds. “, a hint of frustration in his tone. “We’ve been shaking down every contact we’ve got, but nothing new has come up. It’s like everyone’s gone deaf, dumb, and blind overnight.”

I grip the steering wheel tighter, anger simmering just below the surface. “It’s insane, Sal. My father gets taken out, and there’s no word on the street? Not a damn whisper?”

“Yeah, it all stinks to high heaven,” Sal agrees, his voice laced with the same frustration I’m feeling.. “It’s like someone’s got the whole city under their thumb, keeping this thing quiet.”

I exhale sharply, the pieces of the puzzle refusing to fit together. Someone out there knows what happened, and I won’t stop until I find them.

Sal’s going over potential plans, laying out the options in that methodical way of his, but my focus drifts the moment I pull up to my townhouse. The front of the place is completely transformed—decked out in the most tasteful Christmas decor I’ve ever seen..

Twinkling white lights wrap around the columns and railings, casting a warm glow across the fresh layer of snow that’s just beginning to fall, like something straight out of a holiday movie. Wreaths with red bows hang perfectly on each window, and garlands are draped over the front door, their evergreen branches dotted with pinecones and holly berries.

It’s the kind of thing that shouldn’t get to me, but it does. There’s something almost too perfect about it, too serene compared to the chaos in my life.

“Boss, you still there?” Sal’s voice cuts through my thoughts, pulling me back to the conversation.

“Yeah,” I mutter., shaking my head as if to clear it. “We’ll talk later, Sal.”

I end the call and pull into the private garage on the lowest level. The snow’s still falling softly as I step out of the car, but my mind’s already on the interior of the house. I take the elevator up to the first floor, and as the doors open, I’m greeted by the same level of holiday perfection inside.

The halls are lined with more garlands, each one more intricate than the last, with shimmering ornaments and delicate fairy lights. Every surface is adorned with something festive—candles, miniature reindeer, and perfectly placed poinsettias.

It’s warm, inviting, and just as stunning as the exterior. I take a deep breath, letting the scene sink in as I step further inside, my tension momentarily melting away.

As I head toward the den, I’m stopped in my tracks by the sound of excited little voices. Giulia and Lucia come barreling in, their faces lit up with pure joy as they rush to greet me. They throw their tiny arms around my legs, nearly knocking me off balance. I smile at them, the weight of the morning’s stress lifting as I lean down to kiss each of their foreheads.

“Papa!” they squeal in unison, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Hey, my little angels,” I greet them warmly, ruffling their hair. Their joy is contagious, and for a moment, the darkness of the past few days fades into the background.

Olivia enters the room, her presence bringing me back to reality. As much as I’m focused on my girls, I can’t help but scan the room for Willow.

“Where’s Willow?”

Olivia raises an eyebrow, a knowing look in her eyes that suggests she’s already pieced together more than I’d like.“She has Sundays off, remember? But I believe she’s down in the gym.”

Before I can respond, the girls are tugging at my hands, their excitement bubbling over. “Papa, come see the tree! You have to see it!” Giulia insists, pulling me toward the den.

The twins tug me into the den, and the sight that greets me is nothing short of breathtaking. The Christmas tree stands tall and majestic, its branches full and perfectly shaped. Twinkling lights weave through the greenery, casting a soft, magical glow that dances across the room.Ornaments of every kind hang from the branches—glass baubles, delicate snowflakes, and handmade decorations that add a personal touch. The star at the top shines brightly, completing the picture-perfect scene.

The fire crackles in the fireplace, filling the den with a warmth that makes the room feel inviting in a way it usually isn’t.

“Papa, look!” Giulia’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts as she proudly holds up an ornament. It’s simple but beautiful—a picture of the three of us, framed in a little wreath she clearly made herself. The sight of it hits me harder than I expected, and I feel a lump form in my throat.

“We went tree shopping with Miss Willow and Ms. M!” Lucia chimes in, her voice filled with excitement.in. “And we got all the ornaments and decorations!”

“Then we made Christmas cookies with Miss Willow last night!” Giulia adds, practically bouncing on her toes.

Olivia winks at me. “And don’t worry, Mr. Conti—there was no fire this time.”

The girls are still bouncing with excitement, their energy seemingly endless. “Ms. M, can we go to the park and play in the snow?” Lucia asks, her eyes wide with anticipation.

Olivia smiles, always patient with them. “Yes, of course.”

Giulia turns to me. , her face lit up with hope. “Papa, will you come with us?”

I kneel down to their level, my hands resting on their small shoulders. “I’d love to, but I have some things I need to finish first.” Their faces fall with disappointment, and it tugs at something deep inside me..“But I promise,” I add, my tone firm and sincere,, “as soon as you get back, the rest of the day is ours. We’ll do whatever you want.”

That promise seems to satisfy them, and they both nod eagerly. “Okay, Papa!” they chime together.

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