Page 78 of Nanny for the Bodyguard

My words falter when I look over at Hazel. The blood has drained from her face, and my stomach drops.

Hazel looks scared,terrified.

I turn to my niece, forcing a smile so that she doesn’t worry. “Jade, why don’t you pick out a board game from downstairs. We’ll be down in a second.”

“Okay.”

She scampers off, and when she’s gone, I set my beer down and scoot in front of Hazel just as she hangs up. Her hands are shaking, and the cell tumbles to the bed.

“What just happened?”

It takes her a second to look at me, and then Hazel blinks, her eyes welling up with tears.

“I…I heard a voice. It was all distorted and weird.”

“What did he say, Haze?” I grab her hand, squeezing it as my heart thunders against my ribs.

“He…he said, ‘I’m coming for you, Hazel. You…you think you saw the last of me at the trial? Think again.’”

When she finally looks at me head-on, a tear slips down Hazel’s cheek.

“It was him.”

TWENTY-FIVE

Hazel

I think I played a board game with Easton and Hazel. I think I ate dinner. But the truth is I’m not sure about either. Everything felt like I was just running on autopilot, and now Easton is putting Jade down for bed.

My bed is soft beneath me, but I find no comfort in the way it supports me.

Neil is coming.

I don’t understand how he found me. It’s not like I made my move to Red Lodge super public, but still…he did send that thug after me.

He must have hired someone to track me down. They exist, right? Ugh, I’m losing my mind.

What upsets me most of all is that he can totally get to me. Sure, Neil would have to get past all the security Easton hooked up, but I’m sure he would.

The cops haven’t found him. They have no idea where he’s hiding out, and neither do I.

“Hey, Jade is asleep. How are you holding up?”

I look up at Easton in my doorway, and I can’t fake it anymore. I don’t have any tears left, but all I can do is look at him, exhausted from the terror.

“Not great.”

Easton walks over to the bed and sits down, taking my hands and offering me that patented reassuring squeeze of his.

“I’m right here, Haze. You’re safe.”

A sarcastic laugh leaves me, and I roll my eyes. “Right. I feel super safe right now.”

Wincing, Easton pulls back, and I shake my head, the guilt washing over me as I pull him back, keeping him near me.

“I’m sorry. I just feel so out of control and lost. I’m terrified, and there are too many questions, too many unknowns.”

“I get it.” He smiles softly, nodding. “What can I do?”