Page 112 of Nanny for the SEAL

“I saw your note. I just knew something was wrong. I came as fast as I could.”

Sobbing is ongoing now, harder than ever, and I grip his shirt, still shaking my head. “Xaden?"

"Yes. I’m here, baby. You’re okay.”

“He…I…” My brain is completely shutting down, and I think I might have to lay down—now.

As I wobble, Xaden catches me and leans me against the car. “Hey, hold on, baby. We’ll get you some help. I’m not leaving you. Can you?—”

But then Xaden isn’t in front of me anymore.

My eyes are seeing, but it takes a full second or two for my brain to process what’s happening. My dad has knocked Xaden to the ground, and the two of them are scrambling around each other.

They’re getting too close to traffic.

“Xaden!”

The scream is loud, and then my father’s face is popping up from punching Xaden in the face. He rushes toward me, and I’m too slow—too goddamn weak—to stop him.

Dad grips the front of my shirt and hauls me off my feet. He whirls me around, shoving me backward to where I know cars are obliviously hurrying past us.

“You fucking bitch,” he growls out. “You ruined everything for me!”

He’s so damn strong. He’s always been so strong, and I feel like a dumb little kid again. I’m useless and unable to stop him.

“Please!” I beg, my mind now circling around the life growing within me. “Please don’t do this!”

“If you ain’t going to be a payday,” my father’s eyes are wild and bloodshot, “you ain’t going to be my problem either.”

He pulls me in, and I know he’s gearing up to throw me into the path of an oncoming car.

No, no, no. Please, no. I don’t want to leave.

A car rushes up toward us. I can’t help but look at it, and I feel my father’s grip adjust. I’m going to die.

He’s just about to toss me when Xaden is suddenly there again, smashing his fist into my father’s face. I tumble to the ground, immediately crawling toward the curb.

As I look back over my shoulder, I see Xaden level another punch at my dad’s stomach, and now the sounds of police sirens are blaring closer and closer.

I need to get out of here. I can’t…I can’t do this.

Panic is everywhere, and all I can think about is how I nearly died just then, how my father is never going to stop coming after me—and the people I love.

They’re in danger with me here, and as my heartbeat screams in my ears, I tear off toward my car, running as fast as I can.

I can’t be here. It’s too dangerous for everyone.

“Ivy!” I hear Xaden shout behind me, but I don’t stop. I can’t stop.

I just need to get away—now.

THIRTY-EIGHT

Ivy

Furious terror rushes through my veins as I speed down the road toward Xaden’s house.

After all these years, my father is still trying to ruin my life. He’s nearly killed me now. The tears bleed down my face, evaporating off my skin as the air rushes past.

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