Page 69 of Nanny for the Don

My blood turns to ice.

Jack’s grin widens, relishing my horror. “See, thereisa little more to this than just money. Nico and his old man? They pushed the families to move away from therealbusiness—human trafficking, drugs, all the good stuff. That fucked me over. I lost money. Lots of it.” He pauses. “So yeah, I want revenge. And what better way to get it than taking out the mother of Nico’s unborn kid? That’ll hurt him in ways you can’t even imagine.”

I’m speechless. My stomach lurches. He knows I’m pregnant, and he’s planning on using it to destroy Nico.Before I can respond, there’s a knock at the door.

Jack barks, "Come in!" and the door swings open.

One of his goons steps in, looking smug. “Boss, you won’t believe this—Nico Conti himself is here. Says he wants to come to an arrangement. Don’t worry – he’s alone, and we patted him down.”

Jack bursts into laughter. “Oh, does he now? Send him in.” He glances at me, his grin shifting into something darker. “But first, gag the girl.”

The goon grabs a rag and binds my mouth before tying my arms to the chair. I try to wriggle free, but he yanks the ropes tight, pulling the chair to the corner. I glare at him, but it’s no use.

Jack settles behind his desk, leaning back with a smug look on his face. Moments later, Nico walks through the door.My heart practically leaps out of my chest—he’s here.

Relief floods through me, but so does fear. Jack’s smug look tells me Nico is walking straight into danger.

Even through my panic, I can’t help the way Nico’s presence stirs something in me. The sight of him—so strong, so calm, despite everything—does things to me I wasn’t prepared for.

Nico’s eyes flicker toward me, and I can tell he’s holding back his rage.

“I’m here to talk.”

Jack smirks. “Then have a seat.”

As Nico moves toward the desk, I notice something—the goon pulled my chair to a spot where I can seebehindJack’s desk. Something there catches my eye. I squint, trying to figure out what I’m seeing. My heart skips a beat when I realize what it is—a gun.Jack’s planning to kill Nico right here. Panic surges through me, but I can’t just scream or thrash around. I’ve got to be smart.

Nico’s eyes flick over to me, his expression calm, asking without words if I’m okay. I nod slowly, trying to keep my face neutral while my mind races for a way to warn him.

Jack leans back in his chair, his grin never faltering. “So, Conti, what exactly do you want?”

Nico’s voice is cold but steady. “I want Willow. That’s it. No more bloodshed.”

As they talk, my mind scrambles for a plan. Then it hits me—I can chew through the gag. It’ll take time, but if I start now and subtly, slowly chew, maybe I can get it off before it’s too late. I bite down carefully, working the fabric between my teeth, slow enough not to attract attention.

Nico keeps his eyes on Jack. “I know you’re the one who killed my father. But I’m willing to let that go,ifyou step back now. Let Willow go.”

I chew faster, my heart racing. I have to get this gag off before Jack pulls that trigger.

Nico doesn’t know how close he is to danger.

Jack laughs, leaning forward. “Well, alright, Conti. Let the negotiations begin.”

Chapter 35

Nico

“Iwant Willow out of here. Unharmed.”

My gaze is locked on Jack, every fiber of my body screaming to rip him apart, but I hold it in. I can’t let rage take over—not yet.

Jack throws his head back and laughs like I’ve just told the funniest joke he’s ever heard. “And give up my best bargaining chip? Not a chance, Conti.”

I grit my teeth, my fists clenching. “You’re screwed either way, Jack. Might as well make it less painful for yourself in the end.”

Jack leans back in his chair, smirking. “Is this your idea of negotiation, Conti? You threaten me, and I... what, hand her over? Beg for my life?” He scoffs, shaking his head. “You’ve lost your edge.”

The sight of Willow bound like that, gagged and terrified, makes the blood boil in my veins. Every second I stand here, looking at her like that, I want to put a bullet between Jack’s eyes.

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