Page 63 of Protecting My Nanny

"So arrest him," I demand, my frustration bubbling to the surface.

Mike sighs, rubbing his temples. "It's not that easy, Shane. If I tell you we've been after him for years, just assume we've tried everything. Nothing sticks. The guy's got a silver tongue and a Rolodex full of lawyers. Half the time, we don't even know where he's gonna pop up next."

"So you know he's committed all these crimes," I say, pointing to the file in front of me, "and you can't do anything?"

"Yeah, that's how it works," Mike says, leaning forward. "We need something solid—something that sticks. If we grab him now on suspicion or whatever, he'll see it coming. He'll adapt, go underground, learn our patterns. The last thing we wanna do is make him an even better criminal. We need something undeniable, something he can't talk his way out of. Once we have that, maybe his connections will turn their backs on him, too."

I look over the file, feeling its weight sinking into my chest. He doesn't look like Nicole's type. At least, not from what I know of her. But then again, I'm starting to realize just how little I've ever really known her at all.

Mike's description of Raffaele sends my mind spinning. This isn't just some thug trying to make a quick buck. This guy isdangerous and deeply connected. I can't help but think about what it must've been like for Nicole to be involved with him. The fear, the control. How long has she lived in his shadow, constantly watching her back? Maybe that's why she couldn't let her guard down around me, why she seemed distant, never willing to get too close. She must have been terrified, traumatized, even. And here I was, thinking it was something I did wrong.

As if reading my mind, Mike clears his throat. "You know, Shane… it's possible Raffaele's got a personal vendetta against you."

"What do you mean?"

Mike taps the file again. "You remember that deal you busted up ten years ago? The one with Robert?"

I nod, the memory flooding back like a bad dream.

"Well, Raffaele was tied up in that, too. We didn't know it at the time, but his fingerprints were all over it. He lost big when you pulled out of that deal. It's not impossible he's been waiting to make his move ever since."

I stare at Mike, the pieces slowly clicking into place. "You think he's using Nicole to get to me?"

Mike leans back in his chair, arms crossed. "It's a possibility. He knows your connection to her, knows she's been close to youand Jaime. That's a lot of leverage. And if he's as desperate as it seems… yeah, I'd say you're a target."

A cold chill runs through me.Jaime. My heartbeat races as I think about my nephew and how vulnerable he is. "What about Jaime? What if Raffaele comes after him?"

Mike's face softens. "Don't worry, Shane. We'll make sure Jaime's protected. He'll be under our watch. But you—" Mike pauses, choosing his words carefully. "You need to be smart about this. We'll handle Raffaele, but Nicole… we might not be able to do anything about her."

Anger flares inside me, a heat I can't suppress. "That's not good enough, Mike. I can't just sit here and let you handle it. I'm not leaving Nicole to fend for herself."

Mike raises his hands in a calming gesture. "Shane, I get it. But you need to think this through. If you go after Raffaele yourself, you're walking into a war zone. I'm telling you, we're working on it. But we need time."

"I don't have time!" I snap, slamming my fist onto the desk. "I'm not going to sit around while Raffaele threatens my family. I'll handle it myself if you won't do anything."

Mike gives me a long, hard look, his face unreadable. "You're making a mistake," he says quietly. "Don't do anything rash. I'll have eyes on Jaime, but you… you're on your own if you go down this road."

"I've been on my own before," I reply coldly. "I'll figure it out." Without waiting for Mike's response, I grab my coat and storm out of the office.

As I step out into the street, the reality of the situation hits me hard. Nicole is out there somewhere, trapped in Raffaele's world. Jaime's safety depends on me making the right decisions. But I can't sit back and do nothing.

Chapter 28

Nicole

Raffaele comes downstairs and orders one of his men to unchain me. Fear tightens my chest as I remember what he said about me being useless now.I haven't given him anything,I think to myself, my mind racing. There are the people who escape or are saved, and then there are the ones who don't. The thought chills me, but I refuse to let it consume me.I won't go out like that,I tell myself, forcing calm over the panic threatening to rise.

"I've done what I can," I murmur under my breath, a wave of quiet dignity washing over me as I steel myself for whatever comes next. As we reach the top of the stairs, I brace for the worst. But instead of whatever dark scenario I'd imagined, they lead me to my room. Raffaele and his goon stay outside, watching as I step in.

"Shower. Get dressed. Come out when you're done," Raffaele says, shutting the door firmly behind me.

My room is trashed, just as I expected. My bags are overturned, and my clothes and belongings are scattered everywhere. They've gone through everything. Of course they have. I take a deep breath and head straight to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. The sight of the shower makes me pause; the thought of hot water hitting my skin feels almost foreign.Has it been a week?It must've been at least that long since I felt something warm and cleansing. I strip off my dirty clothes and step in, letting the water run over me, feeling the grime and stress melt away for a moment.

Afterward, I dress quickly, not wanting to give them any reason to think I'm stalling. The guy waiting outside the door is new—I've never seen him before. He leads me downstairs without a word. When we reach the dining room, I see Raffaele seated at the head of the table, a spread of food laid out before him: crepes, Italian sausage, fresh baguettes, eggs, and a few other dishes I can't even identify right away.

I sit. Another man is working in the kitchen, also unfamiliar.

I can't help but notice Fredo's absence. The temptation to ask where he is gnaws at me, but I stop myself.You can't save everyone,I remind myself.Gio, Jaime, Shane—focus.

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