Page 9 of Raphael
"Oh," she says softly. "I didn't hear you come in."
Dante's gaze slides to me, one eyebrow raised in silent question. Franco's hand has moved away from his weapon, but his posture remains alert, assessing.
"Annie," I say, forcing a casual tone into my voice. "I thought you might have gone home."
She shakes her head, seemingly unfazed by the tension radiating from my companions. "Marco had a nightmare around nine. After I got him back to sleep, I figured I should stay since you said you'd be late." Her eyes flick to Dante and Franco. "I hope that was okay."
"Of course," I say quickly. "Annie, these are my... colleagues. Dante and Franco. Guys, this is Annie Harper, Marco's new nanny."
"New nanny," Dante repeats, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp. "A pleasure to meet you, Annie."
Franco merely nods, but I can see him taking in every detail about her—her age, her appearance, the way she holds herself under scrutiny.
Annie, to her credit, doesn't flinch under their examination. "Nice to meet you both. I left some pizza warming in the oven if you're hungry. Marco insisted we save some for his dad."
"That sounds great," I manage to say. "We just have some business to discuss first. In my office."
"Of course." Annie nods, already backing toward the kitchen. "I'll just finish cleaning up and then head to the guest room. Unless you'd prefer I go home now that you're back?"
Before I can answer, Dante speaks up. "No need to leave on our account, Ms. Harper. We won't be long."
His politeness doesn't mask the calculation in his eyes. He wants to observe her, to gauge whether she's a potential risk. Franco's expression tells me he's thinking along the same lines.
"Well then," Annie says with a small smile. "Goodnight, gentlemen."
As she disappears back into the kitchen, Dante turns to me, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"A new nanny? That you forgot to mention? Tonight of all nights?"
Franco crosses his arms, his expression equally displeased. "She looks like she should still be in college."
I run a hand through my hair, knowing I've fucked up. "It happened fast. The agency sent her yesterday; she started this morning. She's good with Marco. And she’s in college, Franco. This is only part-time."
"And clearly made herself right at home," Dante observes, glancing toward the kitchen where Annie can be heard softly humming again. "How much does she know?"
"Nothing," I insist. "She knows not to ask questions. Her father was a cop, undercover work. She gets it."
Franco's eyebrows shoot up. "A cop's daughter? Are you trying to get us all arrested?"
"A dead cop," I clarify, lowering my voice further. "She needs the money to support herself and her mother. The agency vetted her thoroughly."
Dante studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he sighs. "Office. Now. We'll discuss your questionable hiring practices after we handle business."
As we move toward my home office, I glance back toward the kitchen, catching a glimpse of Annie wiping down the counter. For a moment, our eyes meet, and something passes between us—a question, maybe, or a warning.
Then she looks away, and I follow Dante and Franco into my office, closing the door firmly behind us.
I've made a mistake bringing these two worlds together, and I know it. But watching Annie move comfortably around my kitchen, caring for my son, stirred something in me I thought was long dead.
Now I just have to make sure that feeling doesn't get any of us killed.
Chapter 4 - Annie
I wait until I hear the office door click shut before I let out the breath I've been holding. My hands tremble slightly as I continue wiping down the already clean countertop.
Those men. Dear God.
When Raphael walked in with them, it took everything I had not to visibly react. The taller one radiated menace, his cold eyes assessing me like I was a potential threat. But it was the other man, Dante, who truly terrified me. Something about him spoke of absolute power, of a man accustomed to being obeyed without question.
