Page 102 of Nanny for the Bodyguard
“Jade!” I rush forward on instinct but slam to a halt when Neil steps in front of her, shoving Jade down onto a peeling leather couch.
Jade doesn't look harmed. Aside from the fact that she's messy and disheveled, she seems okay. Still, I know that the duct tape around her mouth can't possibly feel good.
But I don't see any blood or scrapes, and there’s no swelling. My heart still breaks to see Jade like this.
She's still in her pajamas. She was wearing her hair in braids last night because she wanted waves in the morning.
I take a single step forward, not trying to upset Neil. “Please, please let her go. I'm here, I'm here, just like you asked. Can you please let her go?”
There's a look in his eyes—calculation, manipulation. He's trying to work this situation, to see what's going on, but I have nothing up my sleeves.
I didn't call the police. I didn't wake up the man that I love. I came here alone, just like he asked me to.
The brief sense of relief that I felt when I saw her comes crashing down around me as I stare at the man who tried to traffic me two years ago.
“All right, Hazel, here's how this is going to go. Obviously, I want some things out of this situation. You were a very,verybad girl, and you treated meverybadly. I deserve some recompense for how you've behaved.”
Neil starts pacing back and forth across the office floor. It makes a terrible sticking sound. It's like walking inside a dingymovie theater in here. I have no idea what could’ve made the floor sticky, but the possibilities make my skin crawl.
I don't know what to do right now, how to help Jade. All I can do is listen to Neil as he goes on and on about his fantastic plans, just like he used to love doing.
“We had an arrangement, you and I. And you didn't uphold your end of the bargain. Here's how this is going to work. I'm going to bind your hands, and I'm going to cover that pretty mouth, but just for now. Before you sat on that stand and testified against me,ruiningmy life and my business, you were supposed to go to a very wealthy customer.”
My heart is beating furiously, and I remember the terror I felt two years ago. I can see the dark, cramped van we were transported in. I can see the dank room where we were corralled to wait.
I remember running for my life.
“He's interested in purchasing you again, so that's where you're going. You're going to be going right where you belong, right into the hands of one of the most affluent customers I deal with. And you're going to do everything he says. Everything he wants to do to you, he's going to do to you. And then I'm going to disappear to a place where no one can find me, somewhere across the globe where the United States jurisdiction comes to a complete stop.”
I'm trembling. I know I am. As much as I hate it, I can't stop myself from shaking everywhere.
This is exactly what he was going to do to me last time, and I only just pulled out of that by the skin of my teeth.
I have no one coming for me this time, and I have no intention of trying to escape, which is even worse.
No, I intend to let all of this play out exactly as he wants, as long as it means that Jade is safe.
I know that Easton will be furious that I've done this, that I've put myself in harm's way to protect them. I just hope that once I'm gone and out of his life, he can shove memories of me into the back of his brain in some dark drawer and never think of them again.
I hope that he finds someone who loves him, who will be a parent alongside him to Jade. I hope he finds someone who makes him feel worthy and cared about because he deserves that.
He's had such a hard time with his parents, his strained relationship with his sister, and then her death.
Easton is a good man, and he never lets himself feel that way for long, but he deserves to. He deserves to be loved and looked after.
He deserves to go on adventures and feel light and carefree. Not constantly plagued by worry and doubt.
If I can do anything, I hope that it’s to give Jade and Easton the lives they deserve.
If giving up my life for theirs is what is required, I will give it gladly.
Neil is suddenly in front of my face, snapping his fingers. “Are you fucking listening to me, you stupid bitch, or are you still too good for me?”
I flinch backward. I know Neil is completely capable of using his fists if he wants to. I know his words sting just as badly.
I don't want Jade to see any of that.
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Yes, you can do all of that. That's fine. I will go with you, and I won't fight. I just need you to let Jade go. Please let Jade go. You promised me that you would let her go.”
