Page 62 of Nanny for the Don

I need to think. I need to figure out how to get myself out of this. Because if they know about Nico and me, then this is much bigger than I thought.

Chapter 31

Nico

“Your life depends on giving me something useful. I suggest you choose your next words carefully.”

I lean in closer, my voice cold and steady.

The man’s sweating like a pig, his eyes darting around the room, looking for an escape that isn’t there. He’s trembling, and it’s clear he’s close to breaking. But I can tell he’s holding back. He knows something, and he’s trying to decide if it’s worth spilling.

“You’re holding out on me,” I say, my gaze locked on him. “I can see it. Don’t think you’re smart enough to play this game with me.”

Sal, reading the situation perfectly, pulls his gun and presses it against the man’s head. “Time’s up. You tell us what we need to know, or you die right here. No one’s coming to save you.”

His eyes widen, darting between Sal and me. He’s shaking like a leaf, knowing he’s got no good options left. He turns to me, his voice cracking. “You won’t find out anything if I die.”

I narrow my eyes, watching him closely. He’s bluffing—or trying to—but the fear in his voice tells me otherwise. He’s got something, something important. He just needs a little more pressure to crack.

He’s close, and I know he’s about to spill. I start counting down, my voice cold and steady. “Three…”

He’s panicking, stammering out useless excuses. “I-I don’t know! I swear!”

“Two…”

He’s sweating bullets now, his voice shaking. “Please, I’ll tell you everything!”

“One…”

Just as I’m about to hit zero, the guy breaks.“Jack!”

I pause my grip on the situation tightening.“Jack?”

“Yeah, Jack,” he says, nodding frantically, like he’s finally decided to save his own skin. “Jack Swinson.”

The name hits me like a sledgehammer, my blood starting to boil. My face is blank, but inside, I’m ready to snap.

“Describe him,” I say, keeping my voice even.

He swallows hard. “Young guy, good looking, long, stringy hair… he’s—he’s the one. He’s been working with the Rossis.”

I had him in my fucking basement, within reach, and now my blood’s burning hotter than ever.

I take a step back, letting the anger simmer just below the surface. The guy’s lucky he’s still breathing, but now I’ve got thename I need.

Sal’s face twists in rage, knowing Jack slipped through our fingers because of him. He looks like he’s ready to tear the poor schmuck apart. He steps toward him, fists clenched, but I stop him, throwing out an arm.

"Not yet," I tell him. "I haven’t decided if I’m gonna kill him, but he’s bought himself a little more time."

Sal’s nostrils flare, and he shoots a venomous look at the guy. "You’re not off the hook," he growls, his voice low and dangerous. "Not even close."

I grab Sal by the arm and guide him out into the hallway. The men stay inside, guarding our guest while I shut the door behind us.

"Listen," I say, my voice sharp. "Contact everyone. Put a price on Jack Swinson’s head— alive. We need him breathing when he’s brought to me."

Sal nods, already reaching for his phone. "How much are we talking?"

"Enough to make him impossible to hide. We end this."

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