Page 19 of The Nanny and the Don

“She’s just the kids’ nanny. I didn’t want to come alone because you know damn well, I don’t want all these thirsty single women on my coattail all night, married ones either. I was glad I had somebody I could bring to keep them at bay for a change.”

I don’t know why, but hearing him refer to me as “just” the nanny stung.

It wasn’t like I didn’t know my position.

Him adding the word just to the phrase seemed to deflate some of the air in my chest from all the positivity he had been force- feeding me over the past couple of weeks.

I was crushed that the only reason he’d brought me was to keep other women out of his face.

Since my champagne glass was now empty, I picked up the one in front of his chair and tossed it back as I continued to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“I swear you’re a perpetual bachelor,” the other man joked.

“That’s some made up shit and you know it.”

“I need you to come with me down the hall. We got something for you,” the man stated.

“All right, give me a second.” I felt his hand on my shoulder before he addressed me. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”

With him away from the table I felt antsy.

I went ahead and dug into my steak and was glad that I did after the way it melted in my mouth.

There were people mingling and talking amongst themselves.

There were even a few of them on the dance floor swaying to the slow jazz music.

I was bored to death. Thankfully the server came along and placed two new champagne flutes on the table before retrieving the empty ones.

“What time is it?” I asked him.

“It’s a few minutes after nine.”

“Thank you,” I said, taking a swig of the first glass of champagne.

By the time I finished my food and both glasses of champagne, I’d lost track of how long Mr. Gray had been gone. We had been here for over an hour when I asked the server what time it was, so I had no idea what he was up to at this point.

It was funny that I hadn’t considered trying to get the hell out of here until I was anxious about sitting alone waiting for him to come back. That was partly because we were somewhere deep in South Georgia.

I was hours away from home at best. That didn’t mean I couldn’t get there.

I didn’t trust that the people in the room didn’t work for Mr. Gray, so asking any of them for help was out of the question.

Also, I really didn’t want to get him in trouble.

Was this the shit they called Stockholm syndrome? Yeah, I read way too many books.

Deciding that I wouldn’t wait around much longer, I stood from my seat and marched down the hall where I’d seen Mr. Gray and the big guy disappear.

As I moved down the hall one of the doors opened and someone carrying bottles of champagne barreled out almost knocking me down.

We both uttered excuse me as I moved further down the hall.

Just as I passed another door it flew open, out of instinct I looked inside. My eyes doubled in size when I saw Mr. Gray with his shirt flying behind him as he stomped the life out of a man lying on the floor covered in blood.

“Oh my God!” I screamed, immediately covering my mouth with both hands.

Mr. Gray’s eyes shot to me before he stormed toward the door where the man who pulled him away from the table still stood in front of the door partially blocking my view.

“Fuck is you doing? Four get her the fuck out of here!” Mr. Gray ordered.

The man he referred to as Four grabbed my arm in an attempt to escort me away from the door. Resisting his gentle tug of my arm, I kept my attention on Mr. Gray.

“Is that?—”

“Go, Dev!” he roared, cutting me off. “Have Hank take her the fuck home.”

“All right, boss,” Four said with a tighter grip on my arm this time.

Continuing down the hall instead of going back into the ballroom, Four practically carried me until we were outside on the side of the building where the car we’d ridden here in was surprisingly waiting. After opening the backwards ass door, he ushered me inside the car.

“Take her straight home. No stops and no fucking talking,” Four instructed before stepping back and slamming the door.

I was fuming as we made the journey back to Mr. Gray’s house, but more than anything I was confused.

I wanted to know what the hell was going on in that room.

Was that Brendan lying on the floor hanging on to life by a thread?

If it was him did that mean that Mr. Gray would let me go or would I meet a similar fate? What the hell was going on?

When we made it to Mr. Gray’s house, I jumped out of the car not bothering to wait for the driver to open my door.

That didn’t stop him from following me to the front door and making sure I got inside.

Then again, he was probably just making sure I actually went inside instead of bailing.

Not that it was necessary with Mr. Gray’s goons standing guard out front.

They made sure no one came or went without his permission.

I stalked into the house and as soon as I saw Sicily I tried to temper my mood.

I didn’t want her asking me what was wrong because I just might tell her.

“You look beautiful, mama,” Sicily said, greeting me from her seat on the couch as soon as I walked through the door.

“Thank you,” I answered, hoping she didn’t pick up on my dejected tone of voice.

“Where’s papa?” she asked.

“Don’t ask.” I shook my head.

“Did you two have a fight?”

“No, nothing like that. He started getting busy with work stuff. I was bored, so he had the driver bring me home,” I told her, only partially lying.

“Oh OK. I know how he hates those things. He’ll probably be extra grumpy when he gets home.”

I wasn’t sure he could get any angrier than he was while stomping a hole in a man’s head, but she was probably right.

“I’m sure.”

“On that note, I’m getting the heck out of here.

The kids are down for the night. I don’t know what in the world you did with them, mama, but little Mr. King gave me their whole bedtime routine.

I gave them a bath, read them one bedtime story, and let them listen to that soothing mix he showed me, and they were down for the count. ”

“Thank you for covering for me tonight.”

“Seeing you all dolled up makes it more than worth it. Knowing that you went with the boss man makes it even better. I’m praying that he admits his feelings for you. A blind man can see how much he likes you. He’s not even the same man he was before you came.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” I cautioned.

“Never say never, mama. He’s rough around the edges, but I know he’s a great catch.”

“It’s not like that. I promise.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I love a good love story,” she said, clasping her hands together.

I laughed. “So do I, but I’m not really into fantasy.”

“Whatever, girl.” Sicily laughed. “I’m gone. See you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Sicily. Drive safe.”

“Good night.”

I looked in on the kids and they were sound asleep just like Sicily said. I walked over and kissed each of their cheeks and tucked them in. They were the sweetest when they were asleep so I quietly tip-toed out of their room and went upstairs.

I stripped out of my dress and put it back on the hanger before going into the bathroom and removing my makeup. I jumped in the shower and changed into an oversized T-shirt and a pair of leggings.

Curiosity tugged at me leading me to go back downstairs to see if Mr. Gray had made it home.

The door being unlocked was the first indication that he was still out.

Still, I went down to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water and a bag of chips out of the pantry.

I wanted something salty to help soak up the four or five glasses of champagne that I’d drank.

As I strolled back out of the kitchen, the door swung open. Mr. Gray stood there looking as dapper as he had when we left the house. There was no sign that he’d possibly killed a man tonight.

“What are you doing up?” he quizzed.

“I have a bedtime?” I asked him.

He sighed in response to my question. “I can see that you have something on your chest, so come on. Let me have it.”

“Was that Brendan?” I asked, cutting to the chase. There was no need to beat around the bush. I needed to know if I was next.

“No,” he said, shaking his head.

“I want to go home,” I told him.

“That’s not up for discussion, Devlan. Good night.”

“Why are you even keeping me here? I’m not the only nanny in town.

I’m not even a fucking nanny. Why don’t you let me go?

I’ve never done anything to you, but you cost me my job.

Now I’m a prisoner in your fucking home.

Now I wait on you and anticipate your mood swings.

You’re cold one minute and hot the next.

Sometimes I think you might actually like having me here, then I’m left wondering when you’ll finally take me out of my misery and kill me.

If that’s what the plan is, go ahead and do it now, because I’m tired of anticipating it. ”

“Devlan, relax. You’ve had a few drinks so you’re not thinking straight. I know what you saw might have scared you but chill before you wake up the kids.”

“The only thing confusing is you. One moment I feel this undeniable chemistry between us and the next you make me feel like I’m a silly little girl with a crush on her fucking bully.

I don’t know what you want from me. You know I had nothing to do with what Brendan had going on.

I have no idea where he is. You know that.

Yet, you’re keeping me here just to make sure I know you hate me. ”

“You’re not here because I hate you, Devlan. You’re here because I need you.”

His statement didn’t clear things up. If anything, I was even more confused. He was such an anomaly.