Nanny for the Don: Chapter 34

I’m still stuck in this dingy office with Jack, trying hard to hide my fear. It feels like I’ve been here for hours, but it’s probably only been one. Still no sign of Nico. My heart’s pounding, but my expression is calm.

Jack leans back in his chair, smirking like he’s already won. “Maybe you were right,” he says, his voice dripping with arrogance.. “ Maybe he really doesn’t care about you.”

I glare at him, refusing to let him see me sweat. “You don’t know anything about Nico,” I snap, though my heart clenches with worry.

He’ll come for me. But what if he gets hurt?

I turn to Jack, my voice sharper than I feel. “Why the hell are you doing this? What’s your plan here, huh?”

Jack grins at me like he’s been waiting for that question all night. “Ah, finally,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “You wanna know why?”

I narrow my eyes, not liking the way he’s enjoying this. “Yeah, why?”

“There’s been a war brewing between the Rossis and the Contis for a long, long time,” he starts, his grin widening. “Even before I took out Nico’s old man. But frankly, it’s been too quiet. Too peaceful. This city needs a good war. And so do I.”

I raise an eyebrow, trying to hide my confusion. “Need a war? Why the hell would you need one?”

Jack chuckles, clearly loving the sound of his own voice. “Because, sweetheart, I’m a free agent. A guy who gets people things—whatever they need. And when there’s peace between the families, business is slow. Not as profitable as it could be.” He leans in closer, his eyes gleaming with greed. “Just like with wars between countries, there’s tons of money to be made when the bullets start flying. Both sides need weapons, supplies, and they’ll pay top dollar to make sure they have the upper hand.”

I’m starting to piece it together, and it makes me sick. He’s not just some thug—he’s a war profiteer.

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “That’s it?” I ask, my voice dripping with disbelief. “All this… just for money?”

Jack chuckles, leaning back in his chair like I’m some naive kid. “What else is there?” he shoots back. “Easy for you to judge. You’re living on easy street, thanks to Nico’s dime. And Nico? His position was handed to him by his old man. Men like me? We come from nothing. We have to claw our way up.”

I shake my head, trying to make sense of his twisted logic. “So, what? That makes this okay? People are going to die because of you.”

He shrugs, completely unbothered. “The game’s been dirty long before I showed up. Drug running, trafficking, all kinds of slimy shit. Just because Nico’s pops cleaned up their image and got them out of the seedier parts doesn’t make them angels.”

I glare at him, my fists clenching at my sides. “That doesn’t mean it’s right. You’re still responsible for those deaths.”

Jack laughs again, a cold, heartless sound. “People have already died, sweetheart. What’s a few more dozen?”

The casual way he says it sends chills down my spine.

Jack leans in, a sick grin spreading across his face. ‘But there’s more to this game than just money,’ he says, his voice dripping with menace. ‘I’ve been following you, sweetheart. Tailin’ you, watching you and Nico have a little fun.’

I glare at him, disgusted.

He laughs, clearly enjoying this. “It’s just part of intel,” he says with a shrug, like creeping on people is some casual hobby. “But I know more than just what positions you like. I know you’re pregnant.”

My blood turns to ice.

Jack’s grin widens, relishing my horror. “See, there is a little more to this than just money. Nico and his old man? They pushed the families to move away from the real business—human trafficking, drugs, all the good stuff. That fucked me over. I lost money. Lots of it.” He pauses. “So yeah, I want revenge. And what better way to get it than taking out the mother of Nico’s unborn kid? That’ll hurt him in ways you can’t even imagine.”

I’m speechless. My stomach lurches. He knows I’m pregnant, and he’s planning on using it to destroy Nico. Before I can respond, there’s a knock at the door.

Jack barks, ‘Come in!’ and the door swings open.

One of his goons steps in, looking smug. “Boss, you won’t believe this—Nico Conti himself is here. Says he wants to come to an arrangement. Don’t worry – he’s alone, and we patted him down.”

Jack bursts into laughter. “Oh, does he now? Send him in.” He glances at me, his grin shifting into something darker. “But first, gag the girl.”

The goon grabs a rag and binds my mouth before tying my arms to the chair. I try to wriggle free, but he yanks the ropes tight, pulling the chair to the corner. I glare at him, but it’s no use.

Jack settles behind his desk, leaning back with a smug look on his face. Moments later, Nico walks through the door. My heart practically leaps out of my chest—he’s here.

Relief floods through me, but so does fear. Jack’s smug look tells me Nico is walking straight into danger.

Even through my panic, I can’t help the way Nico’s presence stirs something in me. The sight of him—so strong, so calm, despite everything—does things to me I wasn’t prepared for.

Nico’s eyes flicker toward me, and I can tell he’s holding back his rage.

“I’m here to talk.”

Jack smirks. “Then have a seat.”

As Nico moves toward the desk, I notice something—the goon pulled my chair to a spot where I can see behind Jack’s desk. Something there catches my eye. I squint, trying to figure out what I’m seeing. My heart skips a beat when I realize what it is—a gun. Jack’s planning to kill Nico right here. Panic surges through me, but I can’t just scream or thrash around. I’ve got to be smart.

Nico’s eyes flick over to me, his expression calm, asking without words if I’m okay. I nod slowly, trying to keep my face neutral while my mind races for a way to warn him.

Jack leans back in his chair, his grin never faltering. “So, Conti, what exactly do you want?”

Nico’s voice is cold but steady. “I want Willow. That’s it. No more bloodshed.”

As they talk, my mind scrambles for a plan. Then it hits me—I can chew through the gag. It’ll take time, but if I start now and subtly, slowly chew, maybe I can get it off before it’s too late. I bite down carefully, working the fabric between my teeth, slow enough not to attract attention.

Nico keeps his eyes on Jack. “I know you’re the one who killed my father. But I’m willing to let that go, if you step back now. Let Willow go.”

I chew faster, my heart racing. I have to get this gag off before Jack pulls that trigger.

Nico doesn’t know how close he is to danger.

Jack laughs, leaning forward. “Well, alright, Conti. Let the negotiations begin.”