Page 95 of Nanny for the Mercenaries

The man sighed. “I need to do a better job of that. In an ideal world, you would never know I’m here.” His eyes lit up. “Are Trish and the girl okay? I hated to leave my post to come here…”

Harrison lightly kicked Kadyrovic’s arm with the toe of his boot. “One of his men came to the hotel. He impersonated the escort you hired to take them to the airport. I hung back and caught him just in time.”

“You weren’t at the extraction zone?” I asked. “You never intended to be there?”

Harrison paused. “No.”

Jordy roared with laughter. “This is one time I’m glad you didn’t follow the plan, you stubborn son of a bitch.”

39

Trish

I paced the hotel all afternoon. I checked my phone, and then I re-checked it. I resisted the urge to call the guys, or to text them. Harrison had made it very clear that we were operating under radio silence, and that any contact might put their lives at risk.

Speaking of lives being at risk, Kaylee and I were holed up in the hotel room, with both deadbolts locked and all the curtains drawn. Harrison had taken a spare gun out of the leather case and put it on the top of a bookshelf where Kaylee couldn’t reach it, and told me to use it if necessary. Every so often, my eyes drifted up to it and I shivered. I had never fired a gun before, and hoped I wouldn’t have to change that today.

It was late afternoon when I heard a keycard beep against the lock. But the door hit one of the deadbolts. I froze, wondering if I should speak or remain silent.

“Why won’t my key work?” I heard Jordy say.

“I told her to lock it behind me,” Harrison replied. “Trish, you can open up.”

I hastily unlocked the door and threw it wide. The guys stood before me, smiling wearily. Harrison was in front, so I threw myself into his arms.

“I was so scared,” I whispered.

“We’re here, now,” Jordy said.

“No! I was scared foryou.” I hugged him next, squeezing so tightly that my arms ached. Then I pushed him out of the way and did the same to Archer.

“Oof,” he grunted, resisting my embrace. “Not so strong. I’m a bit wounded, I’m afraid.”

“Wounded!”

“He took a bullet in the shoulder blade,” replied a fourth man that I hadn’t seen. “All taken care of now, but it’ll be tender for a while.”

I gawked at the man. It was the friendly bellhop who had been delivering our meals every day. His entire demeanor was different—he was wearing the same hotel uniform, but he carried himself differently. More confident and in charge.

“I’m really confused,” I said.

“He was our guardian angel in Baku,” Jordy said. “A backup sent by Mathos Company. We owe him our lives.”

The man shrugged and handed Jordy a stack of envelopes. “Your flight information is all there. Plus a bonus for the mission. Consider it an apology from Mathos for not properly vetting the contract.”

“Bonus?” Jordy said, opening the envelope. “You mean we’re still getting paid?”

“Novak and Kadyrovic deposited the contract fee in escrow,” he replied. “It had to look legitimate to lure you guys here. That money is yours. Congratulations.”

He crouched down and pulled out a stuffed teddy bear from his pocket. “This is for you, Kaylee.”

She looked to her daddies for confirmation that it was okay, then accepted the bear. “Does he have a name?”

“You can call him Patrick. Pat for short.” He switched to a whisper. “That’s my name, too.”

“Thank you, Patrick!” she said, clutching the bear to her chest.

The bellhop rose, gave me a little smile, and then clasped hands with the other men. Then he was gone, and the rest of us were all alone.

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