Page 9 of The Nanny and the Don

With those words, he continued past me to the door. Stopping in his tracks, he looked back at me.

“What were you listening to?” he questioned.

“What?” I frowned in confusion.

“When I came in last night, you were listening to something. What were you listening to?” he asked again.

I sighed. “A book.”

“What book?”

I rolled my eyes before answering. I was used to people making fun of me for my choice in literature. I knew this asshole wouldn’t be any different. Brendan continuously gave me a hard time saying I was listening to porn and mind-numbing trash. I didn’t give a damn what he thought so I told him.

“ Say You’ll Ride by Tucora Monique,” I said, preparing for the foolishness to follow.

“Were you done?” he asked.

“Obviously not. I was about halfway through it when someone snatched me up like only a deranged person would.”

“How long does it usually take for you to finish a book?”

“Couple days, maybe a day and a half if I’m not busy,” I replied, still not sure where this was going.

He simply nodded his head before continuing on his way out of the door.

Once he was gone, I plopped down on the plush gray couch.

It was actually pretty comfortable. His mentioning the book I hoped to be able to live long enough to finish had me imagining curling up on that very couch with a good book.

I wished that I was reading one of my romantic thrillers instead of actually being holed up in some crazy man’s house like I was in one.

None of the fairy tales I had read over the years prepared me for what was happening to me right now.

It was all well and good when I was living vicariously through the characters I read about, but actually being kidnapped by a handsome and powerful man didn’t exactly feel like the beginning of a magical, heartwarming love story.

I had no idea what was in store for me, but I could only imagine. My head was spinning with thoughts of what could be waiting for me downstairs. I kept praying that I was deep in some lucid dream, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t wake up.

Swallowing hard, I hopped up from my place on the couch and stormed toward the door.

I was surprised to find that the door was no longer locked.

I rolled my eyes as I swung the door open.

I stared down the stairs before walking down to my fate.

I didn’t hear anything at all as I ventured down the stairs.

Once I was off the bottom step, I made a break for the door.

Relief washed over me when I turned the knob and opened it.

I flung it wide open, not bothering to close it behind me as I ran outside into the front yard.

Two gigantic men dressed in black stood out front talking. When one of them spotted me, he tapped the other one on the arm causing him to look my way.

“Hey, my name is?—”

“Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to go back inside or be escorted there.”

“I’m not going back inside. I need to get out of here.”

Throwing his head back, the slimmer of the two walked over to me and grabbed my arm. “I got her, G.”

“Get your hands off me,” I fussed as I fought to release my arm from his vice grip.

“I’m sorry, but I have instructions to make sure you don’t leave the premises.”

“Do you understand that you’re an accessory to a crime?” I asked him just to make sure he knew he was going down with his boss when this was all said and done.

“I just need you to understand what I have to do. You should have known there was a reason that he didn’t even get up when you came outside. We’re not letting you leave until he says it’s OK. Now relax.”

I felt defeated as we made it back to the open front door.

Imagine my surprise when I stepped across the threshold and saw Mr. Evil sitting on a couch while two small children played with a ton of toys in front of him.

I stood in the doorway taking everything in for a moment before the big guy nudged me in the center of my back.

My eyes moved from my captors’ stoic face to the little girl as she sat in the middle of the floor crying and waving a doll. She was adorable with her hair filled with pink barrettes. I didn’t have time to focus on her when I caught the boy standing on the arm of the chair out of my peripheral.

“Aht-aht, you better get down from there,” I warned him.

Suddenly every eye in the room shifted to me.

Mr. Evil’s stone-cold expression warped back to the look of disdain he took on every time I was in his presence.

He stood to his feet causing me to freeze in place.

I kept my eyes on him as he stopped next to the boy and motioned for me to come closer with his head.

When I walked over and stood in front of him, he introduced me.

“Devlan, this is King, and the little songbird is Evie.”

“Hi,” I said, giving them a nervous wave.

“King, this is Devlan. Sit down and be still while I talk to her for a minute,” he instructed the little boy.

“OK,” the kid said before doing a somersault and plopping down on the couch.

Without another word, he turned and headed into another room off from the enormous living area where the kids were.

After I followed him into the room, he closed the door behind me and walked over to sit on the corner of the desk in the middle of the room.

The entire wall behind him was covered with bookshelves filled with books.

I could tell from where I stood nothing on his shelves would interest me.

“Enjoyed your morning run?” he asked, lifting his brows slightly as he waited for my answer.

“Fuck you,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Hate me all you want. Don’t give my employees a hard time. Simon and Gerry are only doing their jobs. You should focus on doing yours. While you’re here, you are in charge of the kids,” he stated, standing from his perch on the desk.

“What do you mean I’m in charge of the kids? What am I supposed to do with two kids while I’m being held hostage?” I asked.

“You’re in school studying early childhood education, correct?”

“Yes,” I answered flatly, surprised that he’d remembered that in the first place.

“Good, this should be good practice.”

“None of this makes sense to me. First of all, I’m being held responsible for something I had nothing to do with. Now I’m supposed to act like I’m not being held against my will here and take care of some little kids. I’m not being a nanny,” I refused.

“You’ll do whatever the fuck I tell you to do.

You belong to me until I say otherwise. You work for me until I recover my money and/or your man.

Your duty is making sure those two in there are good until further notice.

You’re new around here, so I’m trying to exercise a little patience with you.

I’m not too fond of repeating myself, so don’t make a habit of questioning me about something I already explained. ”

I rolled my eyes. If he was going to kill me, he might as well get to killing. I was scared as hell of him, but something told me that he wouldn’t hurt me with his kids right in the next room. With that in mind, I pushed the envelope.

“Is this why you had me fired? You needed a nanny?” I questioned.

“What did I just tell you about asking questions?” he barked, causing me to cower under the boom of his voice.

“I’m sorry. This is just so crazy to me. Can I at least know what they call you?”

“Who?” He snapped.

“The kids? Do they call you daddy?”

“No.” He frowned as if my question was absurd, but at least he answered it.

“Why not? Do they call you by your first name? I only asked because I have no idea what your name is.”

“I’m not their daddy,” he clarified.

“Whose kids are those? Did you take them too?” I whispered the last part.

“Stop asking so many questions, Devlan.” He shook his head.

“Why? Is that it? Did you kidnap those kids too?” I quizzed.

“No!” he bellowed, causing me to jump. “Stop asking questions, because I don’t answer fucking questions. I ask them. Go out there and make sure they don’t tear my house down.”

“OK,” I replied, nodding quickly before turning to get out of there while I could.

“Steel,” he said to my back.

“What did you steal?” I asked, turning and lifting my eyebrows in anticipation.

“My name is Steel like the metal, and those children in there are my niece and nephew. King is four and Evie is two.”

I couldn’t hide the sigh of relief I let out at his revelation. Still, I wanted to know why he got me fired. Pressing my luck, I glanced back at the door before looking at his crinkled brow again.

“Did you have me fired so that I could be your nanny, or did you really hate me that much?” I questioned.

“Devlan, I don’t have time to answer a million questions.

Please just go in there and make sure that the kids are good.

If you need anything at all to help you ensure that you are able to do that, don’t hesitate to write it down and leave it on the refrigerator.

My housekeeper will take care of it. I’m going to be in meetings for the rest of the week.

I don’t have the time or energy to hold your hand while I’m taking care of business. ”

“How long do I have to stay here?” I asked him.

He sprang to his feet, taking long strides to close the space between us. Before he reached me a knock at the door gained both of our attention. I let out a sigh as he bypassed me and moved to the door.

“Remember you’re happy to be here,” he reminded me before opening the door.

“Mr. Gray, breakfast is ready. Will you be taking yours in here?” a man asked.

I couldn’t see him with Mr. Gray crowding the doorway, but I could only assume it was the chef he mentioned upstairs.

“Yes,” he said, stepping aside so the person on the other side of the door could see me. “Take her with you so she can make sure the kids eat. This is Devlan, the kids’ new nanny.”

“I know you’re glad you finally found someone. Come on, mama,” the other man said, turning his attention to me.

“OK,” I said, leaving the office and following the man out of the room.

Steel slammed the door behind me causing me to jolt.

“Don’t mind him. Mr. Gray is a big meanie to everybody, but he pays well. Maybe now that we have a pretty girl around here, he will soften up.”

“I doubt that,” I mumbled.

I wanted to tell him that my position wasn’t a paying one, but I didn’t know how much information I should trust him with.

I had already been briefed on keeping my mouth shut and pretending that I was happy to be here.

Still if someone could help me get out of here, I would be a fool to pass them up.

I just needed to figure out where he stood.

“I’m Devlan. What’s your name again?” I asked, not sure if I’d forgotten it or if no one ever told me.

“I’m Miguel. I work here four days a week preparing meals for Mr. Gray and his housekeeper Sicily.

The kids have only been here a few weeks.

They’re such picky eaters that we are having a hard time identifying things they like to eat aside from chicken nuggets and French fries.

Mr. Gray told me to just give them whatever they want, but that’s not healthy, mama.

I know better than to argue with him, but I have been trying to figure out what I can give them that they won’t throw across the room. Maybe you can help us with that part.”

“I’ll work on it.” I nodded.

“This morning, we have cinnamon pancakes, poached peaches, bacon, and eggs. Mr. Gray is going to be in his office most of the day. I think he’s scared to run you away. He wants the new nanny to think he’s nice so she will hang around. These children have been giving us a run for our money.”

“What time do you usually make lunch? I want to make sure the kids are ready.”

“Breakfast is between seven and nine depending on if Mr. Gray has meetings or a flight. Lunch is promptly at one, and dinner is on the table by six.”

“OK, perfect. I’m going to work on getting the little ones on a schedule.”

“Lord knows they need one, mama. I don’t think either of them have slept since they got here. Mr. Gray doesn’t look like he’s been getting much either. They are struggling with missing their mother. I can’t blame them.”

I recalled Mr. Gray saying that the children were his niece and nephew. I assumed that the children were his sister’s. Since he had already warned me about asking questions, I didn’t push for more. Besides, it seemed like Miguel was an open book. I wouldn’t have to push him much.

“I’m going to get them washed up and bring them back to the table. Mr. Gray should be ready by the time we get back.”

“He’s not going to eat breakfast with us,” Miguel revealed.

“Oh, OK.”

“He usually takes breakfast in his office and works through lunch. He’s been working through all three meals since the kids got here. I don’t think he likes children very much,” he expounded.

“I don’t think he likes anyone.”

Miguel laughed. “Speak for yourself. My mean ass boss is the best boss in the world.”

“I guess it’s nice to hear that he can be civil with somebody,” I said, shaking my head as I walked back to the living room.

Both of the kids were jumping on the couch and singing along with whatever song was on the TV. I walked over and stood in front of them and put my hands on my hips and one finger over my lips. King stopped first, and it was refreshing to see that his little sister followed suit.

“Hi, King. My name is Ms. Devlan. Can you say Ms. Devlan?” I asked.

“Ms. Devlan,” he eagerly repeated me.

“Very good. What about you, Evie? Can you say Ms. Devlan?”

“Say Ms. Devlan, Evie!” King encouraged her.

“Miss Debbie!” Evie shouted, making both King and I laugh.

“Good job, Evie. Are you guys ready for breakfast?”

“Yes!” they yelled in unison.

“Good. Let’s wash our hands and get ready. We have to have clean hands before we eat anything. We don’t want germs in our mouths now do we?”

“No!” King sang as he hopped down from the couch.

Evie crawled off the side, and I bent down to scoop her up.

“We’re having pancakes. Do you guys like pancakes?”

“Yes!” King answered along this time.

As much as I hated being in this big, beautiful prison, I figured the least I could do was bide my time by getting to know these innocent little babies. They didn’t have anything to do with the money their uncle kept hollering about. Neither did I actually but here I was.