Page 2 of Protecting My Nanny

I turned to him just as we left the backdoor entrance to the house. "We make for the olive fields and don't stop till we hit town." Giovanni didn't question me; he simply gave his big sister a nod and a small smile.

We spent the night with the Rossis, our neighbors to the south of our estate, who happily took us in. Mr. Rossi even stood watch all night with a rifle in his arms. I tried calling my aunt and uncle all night, but it wasn't until the following day that someone picked up—an officer. He didn't say precisely what had happened, but I knew from his tone and my uncle's involvement in our family's dealings that Giovanni was my last remaining relative, and I would spend the rest of my life ensuring his safety. It was a task I wasn't entirely up to yet, and with the events of last night, I could not handle it alone.

In the Rossi kitchen, I held the phone in my hand, looking at the numbers I'd entered and the large green call button. My mind wouldn't let me press it just yet.

"Darling, you go down this road, and we can't keep you here anymore," said Mr. Rossi. His wife gasped at the statement, her eyes wide with horror as she looked at her husband.

"Sal, we can't..." his wife began to speak.

"We can't afford to be caught up in your business any deeper. We don't blame you for your parents' mistakes and will keep you as long as you need, but you get involved with Aldo, and you're going down the same road. It's your choice, but you won't be welcome anywhere near us again."

He left the room, a stamp of finality on his words. It didn't bother me; I'd known what I needed to do since I'd found out about my aunt and uncle. I pressed the button and put the phone to my face, watching Mrs. Rossi's eyes water, her head shaking left to right, her last hopes of discouraging me fading.

Fifteen minutes later, an all-black SUV waited for me at the end of the street. Aldo had insisted on a face-to-face meeting, assuring me that I would be safe until I arrived. I trusted him enough to believe his words, especially since he had stationed a few men to keep an eye on the Rossi house from a distance. This provided me with a mix of comfort and unease. I understood that nothing came without a price when dealing with men like Aldo. He would undoubtedly want to know how much I knew about his involvement with my parents and what information I had regarding the culprits. But most of all, he would want to assess whether I could be of any further use, as men like him tended to do.

In the back of the SUV, I was greeted by two men—one a stranger, the other quite familiar. Raffaele and I had met through his work with my parents. He often visited our house, engaging in hushed conversations with them in the back rooms. On one occasion, when they were out, he took the time to get to know me. Raffaele was a few years older, undeniably cute, and charming in a way that hinted at danger. Despite the fact thatmy parents were the ones who brought him into our lives, they would never approve of him. It was ironic—they were involved with him, yet they wouldn't want me to be. We shared a brief, clandestine romance behind their backs, a secret thrill that seemed even more exciting because of the risk.

The other man, I assumed, was Aldo, brother of Pietro and second in command of the crew. Known for his ruthlessness, he was Raffaele's senior. Aldo was calm and collected as he spoke, first offering condolences.

"We'll avenge your parents," he assured me. "It was the Serpenti, and we already have the names of those involved. Your parents were loyal, and we are loyal to them."

His eyes softened momentarily before turning serious again. "But starting a new life for you and Giovanni is more complicated. Your family still had some debts with us. We're not asking you to pay them back, but we need you to work with us for a bit. In return, we'll ensure you and Giovanni get the new start you deserve."

"I'll do it," I replied instantly. "But nothing violent or degrading, toward me or anyone else. I want a clear timeframe and a ticket out of here."

Aldo nodded. "Where would you like to go, little Nicola?"

The use of my family nickname startled me, but I decided to keep things peaceful. "America. A ticket for me and my brother."

Aldo turned to Raffaele with a smirk. "This one has fire in her. Shame you couldn't keep her." Then he faced me again. "Yes, Nicola, that can be arranged."

Chapter 1

Shane

Late and for some reason overscheduled, I only need a bit of clarity today. I'm perfect at my job; my bank account and investment rankings remind me of that daily.

However, matters of children and their care are as foreign to me as the relationships that lead to them. What I need now is an ally, someone to fill in the blanks of caring for a child. My nephew, Jaime, deserves the best, and I expect no less in a nanny.

Given all he's been through, the hardship of losing both his parents, any person willing to take him on—and receive the generous wages I'm offering to do it—should be able to stand mysimple questioning. This hasn't been the case so far; three of the candidates never responded to requests for a second interview, two walked out midway through the first, and one broke down in tears, locking herself in a bathroom after just a few questions. Kristen, my assistant, thank God, was there to talk her out.

I had cut lunch short upon hearing about the newest candidate, one Kristen has assured me is a perfect fit. Upon entering the office, I find Kristen nestled at her desk before the glass doors marked with my name.

"Mr. Matthews," she greets calmly, as she always does.

"Kristen." I take note of the shadow of a figure sitting in the chair in my office. "I take that to be the perfect girl you alerted me to."

Kristen smirks. "Nicole, yes, sir. That's her."

"Alright, hold my calls till the interview finishes."

"Sir, just a note. I scheduled the meeting with the Atlanta execs for 2:30," she adds.

"That gives me an hour," I say, making my frustration known.

"An hour and twenty, sir, yes," Kristen responds plainly. Too plainly, honestly.

"I can't quite give her a proper interview in that time, can I? I'm sure I told you to hold all meetings until after four today, did I not?"

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