Page 58 of Nanny for the Don

Kendall regards me with big, wide eyes. “Girl, are you telling me this whole lifestyle is turning you on?”

I shrug, feeling ridiculous but being completely honest. “I guess? I mean, I don’t get it either. It’s like, yeah, I should be running for the hills, but instead I’m falling harder.”

Kendall shakes her head. “Look, I’m not here to judge. But Iamhere to tell you I want you, your baby, and those adorable little girls to be safe. Whatever happens with Nico, you need to makesure you’re okay.”

I nod, grateful for her looking out for me. “Thanks, Ken. I’m gonna tell him about the baby when he gets back. It’s time.”

Kendall squeezes my hand. “Good. He needs to know. Look, girl, follow your heart. It might take you to some wild places, like, you know, having a Mafia don’s baby,” she says with a wink, “but you’ve gotta listen to it, no matter how crazy it gets.”

I chuckle, feeling a little lighter. Somehow, her words calm me down, like maybe I’m not completely losing my mind. “You’re right. As usual.”

Before we can talk any further, I hear a man’s voice call out. “Willow?”

I turn, my heart skipping a beat. A sharply dressed man is standing a few dozen feet away, and the look on his face tells me something is very wrong. Instantly, my guard is up. He’s closing the distance fast, worry written all over his features. My stomach twists.

“I’m sorry,” he says, slightly out of breath when he reaches us. “Didn’t mean to startle you, but… it’s serious. Mr. Conti’s been in an accident.”

My blood runs cold, and the world seems to stop for a second. “What?”

He glances around, clearly nervous. “I can’t explain here. You need to come with me.”

I freeze, panic gripping my chest. Kendall steps closer, her face just as tense as mine. “What kind of accident?”

The man looks down, avoiding eye contact, and my heart feels like it’s about to shatter. Everything in me is screaming that something’s terribly wrong.

The guy brings his eyes back up to me. “I’ll explain everything in the car.”

I cross my arms, not budging. “Who are you? How do you know about Nico and who I am?”

He straightens, clearly not thrilled about having to give me answers. “Name’s Enzo. I’m one of Sal’s guys. He sent me to find you.”

Sal. I know him. That name puts me a little at ease, but not much. I glance at Kendall, then back at Enzo. “I’ll get the girls, and we’ll go.”

Enzo shakes his head. “It’d be better if your friend took the girls home. This isn’t a place for them.”

Tension shoots through me, my mind racing. Kendall steps up beside me, her hand on my arm. “We’re only ten minutes away, and Olivia said she’d be home by the time we got back, right?”

I hesitate but nod. “Yeah.”

Kendall gives me a reassuring look. “We’ll be fine. Go handle this.”

I swallow hard and call out to the girls. They run over, bright-eyed and curious. I kneel, trying to keep my voice steady. “Kendall’s going to take you home, okay? I have to go with Mr. Enzo.”

They both look worried, but Giulia grabs Lucia’s hand. “Okay.”

They turn to go with Kendall, and I feel a pang of guilt.

I watch as Kendall and the girls cross Central Park West, keeping my eyes on them until they disappear from view. Kendall’s got them, I remind myself, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. But my nerves are on edge, and Enzo’s in a hurry, practically pulling me through the park.

“What kind of accident?” I press, my voice shaky.

“We need to get to the car,” he says, not slowing down..” He doesn’t slow down as he speaks. “I’ll explain everything on the way to the hospital.”

Hospital. The word alone sends my mind spinning. My heart’s pounding, and all I can think is,Did Nico’s lifestyle finally catch up to him?Is this what happens when you fall for someone like him?

We reach his car, a sleek black SUV parked at the curb. Enzo opens the passenger door, gesturing for me to get in. I hesitate for a split second, but he’s alone, which gives me a small sense of comfort.

I slide in, and my thoughts are so consumed by worry for Nico that I barely register anything else. Enzo climbs into the driver’s seat, and the second he starts the engine, I hear the click of the doors locking.

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