Page 76 of Nanny for the Bodyguard

What if my baggage hurts that little girl?

“Hey,” Easton grabs my attention, kneeling in front of me again, with the phone pressed to his ear, “I mean it. As long as you’re with me, you're safe. I see you worrying. Don’t. I’ve got a network of other bodyguards to help out with the business. We got this, Haze. I promise you.”

I don’t want to be scared right now, so I choose to believe him.

Iwantto believe him.

Looking across at him, I nod, forcing a smile. “Okay.”

TWENTY-FOUR

Easton

It’s been a week. An entire fucking week and the cops haven’t found Neil yet. I don’t like it. Every day that he’s out there, he could be getting closer to Red Lodge. To Hazel.

I know I told her not to worry, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. I just wanted to do it for her.

This entire time, I’ve been watching the news like a hawk for any word about the situation. Aside from not catching Neil, there have been minimal updates.

I know the news doesn’t realize how big of a problem this is to me personally, but dammit, nothing?Ugh.

“Alright, sir, we should have those updates ready to go by this afternoon.”

Paying attention to the phone again, I clear my throat. “Thank you. And I know it’s a rush job, so I appreciate you being flexible.”

“Of course. Happy to help.”

We hang up, and I feel a little better knowing that the home security system I have installed is about to be upgraded to the most recent state-of-the-art devices.

He can’t get to her. He can’t hurt Hazel again.

My heart rate is up, and I try to focus on what I’ve done to ensure her safety. But all I can think about is the last attack.

Neil sent someone to Red Lodge to hurt Hazel, and there’s nothing stopping him from showing up and doing it himself. At least it doesn’t feel like anything, or anyone, is trying to stop him.

And, of course, it's not just Hazel I have to worry about.

I have Jade to think about in all this, too. And I know without a doubt that Hazel didn't mean to bring me or my niece into this, but it doesn't change reality.

Jade is still in jeopardy because of Neil James.

I stand a chance of losing both of them if he gets into this house. I won't let that happen.

As I walk into the kitchen, setting down my cell phone to let it charge, I look up the stairs towards where I know Hazel and Jade are hanging out.

Hazel has been trying her best to play it cool this entire week, putting on her best smile whenever Jade is around. Still, I know that she is under monumental amounts of stress.

She's cracking at her edges, and I don't know what more I can do to help keep her together.

I'm terrified that she's going to fall apart again, and the nightmares have gotten worse. I've slept in her bed with her nearly every night this week.

Goddamn it. This isn’t what I want for her.

My chest pinches as I continue to stare up the stairs.

Hazel has thrown herself into her novel these past few days, and Jade doesn't seem to mind. Right now, they're upstairs, probably reading and working together like they have been every day this week.

Sighing, I pull a couple of drinks out of the fridge and head up the stairs. As I walk down the hall, I look into Jade'sbedroom. She is in there, but she's just reading by herself. So I keep going, and I head towards Hazel's bedroom at the far end.