Page 38 of Nanny for the Don

Just as I’m about to open the door to the garage, it swings open on its own. Sal’s already there, his usual confident grin on his face. He’s in his late thirties, built like a damn tank, witha jawline sharp enough to cut glass. His tailored suit hugs his frame just right, and his eyes are sharp, always calculating.

“Thought I’d say hi to the girls first,” Sal says.

“Of course,” I reply, even though I’m eager to get to the matter at hand. The girls love their Uncle Sal, and I can’t deny them a few minutes with him.

We head into the kitchen, and as soon as the girls see him, they spring out of their seats like they’ve been shot out of a cannon. “Uncle Sal!” they squeal in unison, rushing over to him. He bends down, arms wide, catching them both in a big hug.

“There’s my favorite girls!” he says, lifting them off the ground easily. “You two getting into trouble, or just giving your dad a hard time?”

They giggle, clinging to him like they’ve just found treasure. The girls love Sal. It’s always like this when Sal’s around.

He straightens, turning his attention to Willow. “And who’s this lovely lady?” he asks, his tone smooth as silk.

“Willow,” she introduces herself, offering a polite smile. “I’m the new nanny.”

“Willow, huh?” Sal says, flashing his best charming grin. “Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

She laughs, but I feel an intense rush of jealousy spike through me. I know Sal’s a shameless flirt but seeing him work his charm on her grates on me.

“Alright, Sal,” I cut in. , my voice firm. “Time to get to work.”

Sal meets my eyes and nods, understanding the fun’s over. “Lead the way, boss.”

Sal and I head down to the garage. “What’s going on? What’d you find?”

Sal glances at me, his expression serious. “I found a guy that knows who killed your father and his associates.”

His words stop me cold. My blood turns to ice, every nerve in my body on high alert.“Where is he?”

Sal grins the kind of grin that usually means he’s got something good. “He’s in my trunk.”

A sharp, almost disbelieving laugh escapes me as we walk to his car—a sleek, black Audi S7, functional but eye-catching enough to turn heads. He pops open the trunk, and there’s a guy inside, looking like he’s been through hell and back. His face is bruised, his clothes torn, and he’s bound tight, barely able to move.

The sight of him stirs something dark in me—a need for answers, for justice. For revenge. I step closer, my eyes narrowing as I take in the pathetic sight before me.

“You’ve got some explaining to do. ,” I say, my voice cold and hard as steel. “And I suggest you start fast, if you want to leave here in one piece.”

The guy mumbles through the gag, his eyes wide with fear. I can tell he’s begging for his life—they always do. I smirk, knowing exactly how this is going to play out.

“Sal, take this prick to the basement.”

Sal nods, and we both know what’s coming next. Attached to the garage is a separate door that leads to the soundproofed basement, which is perfect for the kind of conversation I’m about to have. It’s where the real work gets done, where the truth comes out one way or another.

“I’ll be right there,” I tell Sal, watching as he hauls the guy out of the trunk and drags him toward the door. The guy’s struggling, but it’s pointless. He’s got nowhere to run.

I take a deep breath and head back into the house. Willow and the girls are still in the kitchen, chatting and eating breakfast. It’s a peaceful scene, the kind that almost makes me forget what I’m about to do.

Almost.

“I’ll be working downstairs,” I tell Willow, my tone casual..

“Sure,” she says, but I can see it in her eyes—she knows something more is going on. She’s not stupid. But she doesn’t press, just nods, her gaze lingering on me a moment longer than usual.

As I head back down, I can’t help but wonder just how much she knows about what I do for a living. And more importantly, what she’d say if she knew all the grisly details.

Would she still look at me the same way? Or would it change everything?

The thought nags at me as I approach the storage room in the basement, ready to do some dirty work.

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