Page 68 of Nanny for the Don

Sal turns to me. "What's up?"

I stare out the window for a second, piecing together the plan in my head. "There’s a damn good chance Jack kills Willow the second we burst through the door."

Sal’s face tightens. He knows I’m right. “Yeah. So, what’s the move?”

I pause, then meet his eyes. “We can’t go in there guns blazing. Jack’s expecting that, probably counting on it. We need a smarter play.”

Sal nods slowly. "What are you thinking?"

I lean back in my seat, the anger swirling inside me but my mind locked in.

“I’ve got an idea.”

Chapter 34

Willow

I’m still stuck in this dingy office with Jack, trying hard to hide my fear.It feels like I’ve been here for hours, but it’s probably only been one. Still no sign of Nico. My heart’s pounding, but my expression is calm.

Jack leans back in his chair, smirking like he’s already won.“Maybe you were right,” he says, his voice dripping with arrogance.. “ Maybe he really doesn’t care about you.”

I glare at him, refusing to let him see me sweat. “You don’t know anything about Nico,” I snap, though my heart clenches with worry.

He’ll come for me. But what if he gets hurt?

I turn to Jack, my voice sharper than I feel. “Why the hell are you doing this? What’s your plan here, huh?”

Jack grins at me like he’s been waiting for that question all night. “Ah, finally,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “You wanna know why?”

I narrow my eyes, not liking the way he’s enjoying this. “Yeah, why?”

“There’s been a war brewing between the Rossis and the Contis for a long, long time,” he starts, his grin widening. “Even before I took out Nico’s old man. But frankly, it’s been too quiet. Too peaceful. This city needs a good war. And so do I.”

I raise an eyebrow, trying to hide my confusion. “Need a war? Why the hell would youneedone?”

Jack chuckles, clearly loving the sound of his own voice. “Because, sweetheart, I’m a free agent. A guy who gets people things—whatever they need. And when there’s peace between the families, business is slow. Not as profitable as it could be.” He leans in closer, his eyes gleaming with greed. “Just like with wars between countries, there’s tons of money to be made when the bullets start flying. Both sides need weapons, supplies, and they’ll pay top dollar to make sure they have the upper hand.”

I’m starting to piece it together, and it makes me sick.He’s not just some thug—he’s a war profiteer.

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “That’s it?” I ask, my voice dripping with disbelief. “All this... just for money?”

Jack chuckles, leaning back in his chair like I’m some naive kid. “What else is there?” he shoots back. “Easy for you to judge. You’re living on easy street, thanks to Nico’s dime. And Nico? His position was handed to him by his old man. Men like me? We come from nothing. We have to claw our way up.”

I shake my head, trying to make sense of his twisted logic. “So, what? That makes this okay? People are going to die because of you.”

He shrugs, completely unbothered. “The game’s been dirty long before I showed up. Drug running, trafficking, all kinds of slimy shit. Just because Nico’s pops cleaned up their image and got them out of the seedier parts doesn’t make them angels.”

I glare at him, my fists clenching at my sides. “That doesn’t mean it’s right. You’re still responsible for those deaths.”

Jack laughs again, a cold, heartless sound. “People havealreadydied, sweetheart. What’s a few more dozen?”

The casual way he says it sends chills down my spine.

Jack leans in, a sick grin spreading across his face. "But there's more to this game than just money," he says, his voice dripping with menace. "I've been following you, sweetheart. Tailin’ you, watching you and Nico have a little fun."

I glare at him, disgusted.

He laughs, clearly enjoying this. “It’s just part of intel,” he says with a shrug, like creeping on people is some casual hobby. “But I know more than just what positions you like. I know you’re pregnant.”

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