Page 16 of The Nanny and the Don
I swallowed down the walnut-sized lump in my throat as I stood from the bed. With every step I took toward the kitchen my heart broke a little more. I could believe I had been yanked into Brendan’s bullshit. I shook my head, slamming my back against the wall and sliding down to the floor. Dropping my head I cried into my hands. This could not be happening. Where the hell was Brendan, and why was I the only one being punished for something he did?
“Get up!” Mr. Evil barked, almost making me jump out of my skin.
I looked up to find him standing there nonchalantly with his hands clasped in front of him.
“You scared me,” I mumbled.
“I told you I was coming up in twenty-five minutes.”
“I know it hasn’t been twenty-five minutes already.”
“Obviously, you had time to get ready anyway. I know you’re upset, but you’re going to have to suck it up and act like you’re happy to be here before I take you downstairs.”
“How am I supposed to pretend like I haven’t been kidnapped and held hostage?” I quizzed, staring up at him and waiting for a response.
“That’s not up for me to decide. Stand up,” he said, reaching down to take my hand.
With an exasperated sigh, I took his hand and let him help me to stand. His musky cologne pissed me off. How could he worry about smelling good while he had a freaking hostage? He looked devilishly good in dark gray slacks and a matching vest. The white shirt contrasted perfectly with his umber skin.
“Am I supposed to be a high-priced hooker or something in these expensive behind clothes? These shoes cost more than my rent.”
“You’ll wear what I want to see you in. Where is that watch?” he quizzed.
“It’s on the bathroom sink. You can have it. I did not have anything to do with whatever happened with your money. Just let me go home. I won’t even tell anybody what happened. I don’t even know your name,” I explained.
He brushed past me as if I wasn’t speaking as he proceeded to the bathroom. The need to stay close to him had me falling in line with his steps and following him to the bathroom. He walked out of the bathroom with the watch in his hand before stuffing it in his pocket. Glancing up at me, he began to speak.
“We are approximately five miles away from the next house on either side and ten miles out from the next city. I like it that way. I like privacy and space. I can see how that might not work in your favor right now. You can try to run if you can figure out how to get out of this house, but I’m sure you’ll find it difficult to navigate your way around here.
“There are also two security guards outside who will ensure that you don’t leave unless I say so. I won’t say so. I suggest you cooperate with me until I can locate Brendan or get my money out of him. Until he materializes or my money magically reappears in my accounts, you work for me. Once you walk out that door downstairs, I’m going to need you to look like you’re happy to be here. The people out there don’t need to know the details of our arrangement. Just like you, they work for me. No one here can help you. They have jobs to do of their own. It’s your job to do what the hell I tell you to do and look like you’re having fun doing it.”
“Why?” I asked genuinely curious.
“Seems like you would have learned to stop asking so many questions. You are not in control here. Do what’s expected of you, and we won’t have any problems. I’m a busy man. I don’t have time to go back and forth with you or try to pacify your every request. We won’t have to have this discussion again. Since you are having a hard time wrapping your mind around the way things are going to go, I’ll give you an extra ten minutes. When you get your head together, join us downstairs.”
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 Rideby 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.
