Nanny for the Don: Chapter 33

“Faster.”

I sit in the passenger seat, my jaw clenched tight, fists balled in my lap. Normally, I’d be the one driving, but I’m so fucking pissed off I know I’d end up driving us straight into a wall.

Sal’s at the wheel, keeping his eyes on the road as the sky darkens around us, the mood getting heavier by the minute. Behind us is another car with four of my best guys—my heaviest hitters. I’m ready for whatever comes next. This isn’t just about taking Jack out anymore. It’s about getting Willow back. My woman.

I know it now, with absolute certainty—I love her.

The thought of losing her, of not getting the chance to tell her how I feel, twists in my gut. It’s almost too much to bear, but I push it down. I have to stay focused. I have to get her back. I will get her back. Whatever it takes.

Just as I’m caught in that spiral of thoughts, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull my phone from my pocket, seeing an unknown number flash on the screen. Normally, I’d ignore it, but another message comes through, and then another. Something feels off, so I open them.

What I see makes my blood turn to fire. It’s Willow, her eyes full of fear. She’s pulled into a twisted selfie with Jack, that smug bastard grinning like he’s already won.

My grip tightens on the phone, and for a second, I’m ready to crush it in my hand. The rage inside me is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. My heart pounds, my mind racing with violent thoughts.

Sal glances over at me, sensing the shift. ‘What is it?’

I show him the screen, and he lets out a low curse, his knuckles going white around the steering wheel. ‘That motherfucker.’

He doesn’t need to say it, but we both know now—Jack’s behind it all. This isn’t just business. It’s personal.

Sal’s voice cuts through the anger clouding my head. ‘Look, Nico. Jack’s trying to mess with you. He’s throwing you off your game, and you can’t fall for it. He wants you to lose control.’

I grit my teeth, barely able to keep the fury in check. But I know Sal’s right. Jack’s playing his little mind games, and if I let him get to me, it’ll be exactly what he wants.

Sal glances at me, his brow furrowed in confusion. ‘Why would Jack go after the nanny like that?’

I don’t respond, just grit my teeth, the rage simmering under the surface. Sal’s no idiot, though. He looks at me, nodding slowly as it clicks.

“She’s not just the nanny, is she?”

I let out a slow, measured breath, trying to keep myself steady. “If Jack so much as touches her…” I trail off, my voice low, dangerous. “He’s going to take up permanent residence in my basement.”

The thought of what I’ll do to Jack when I get him is already flashing through my mind, but first, I need to make sure Willow’s safe. That’s all that matters right now.

“Speed up,” I bark, and Sal doesn’t hesitate, putting his foot down as we cross the Third Avenue Bridge into the Bronx. The festive Christmas lights around the city flash by, their cheery glow feeling like some twisted joke compared to what I’m going through. There’s no peace in this holiday season. Not for me.

Sal glances over again, his hands tight on the wheel. “Maybe text back? See what Jack’s planning.”

I clench my jaw. He’s right. As much as I hate playing into Jack’s sick game, I need to know what he wants. I take out my phone, my fingers hovering over the screen.

I text back. Where are you?

The reply comes almost instantly, an address lighting up my screen. My eyes narrow as I recognize it—it matches the info the stooge gave us earlier. I plug the address into the car’s GPS.

More texts come in, taunting messages meant to piss me off, to rattle me.

Bet you didn’t think I’d have the balls to take her.

She’s real cute when she’s scared, you know.

Think she’ll cry if I touch her? Or is she tougher than that?

C’mon, Nico. Say something. You’re not gonna let me have all the fun, are you?

My hand tightens around the phone. Every word’s designed to piss me off, to get under my skin. But I don’t bite. Jack wants me to lose control, to make a mistake. I won’t give him the satisfaction. Willow’s life is on the line, and I need to stay focused.

You don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into, you dumb fuck, I think to myself, but I keep my fingers off the keys.

We drive deeper into the Bronx, the streets getting rougher. Graffiti-covered walls, busted-out windows, and abandoned lots. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you don’t ask questions, and no one offers answers. The buildings loom tall and worn down, barely holding themselves together.

I look out the window, my blood boiling but my mind sharp. We’re close now. This is Jack’s territory, but soon, it’s going to be my battlefield.

Sal glances at me, sensing the shift. ‘You good?’

I nod, my voice low and cold. ‘I’m ready.’

My patience is wearing thin, every text from Jack lighting me up inside. The urge to tear him apart is damn near unbearable, but I can’t lose it—not yet. Then, a thought hits me.

‘Pull over,’ I tell Sal.

He glances at me but doesn’t hesitate, guiding the car to the side of the road. The car with our heavies behind us follows suit, pulling up just a few feet back.

Sal turns to me. ‘What’s up?’

I stare out the window for a second, piecing together the plan in my head. ‘There’s a damn good chance Jack kills Willow the second we burst through the door.’

Sal’s face tightens. He knows I’m right. “Yeah. So, what’s the move?”

I pause, then meet his eyes. “We can’t go in there guns blazing. Jack’s expecting that, probably counting on it. We need a smarter play.”

Sal nods slowly. ‘What are you thinking?’

I lean back in my seat, the anger swirling inside me but my mind locked in.

“I’ve got an idea.”