Page 60 of The Billionaire and the Nanny

There was a loud crash in the distance, and it seemed as if all hell had broken loose. We heard gunshots. Far too many of them. It seemed the cavalry was here. I hoped Leo knew what he was doing because these weren’t small-time thugs. They were armed to the teeth, and those weren’t Nerf guns. They were real ones, with real bullets that could poke huge holes in people.

“What if they shoot Daddy?” asked Maddie, voicing my concerns.

“He’ll duck in time,” I promised.

Please, God! Don’t let him get shot, I prayed fervently.

I pushed Maddie down behind the bed and stood guard over her. Any stray bullet coming towards her would have to pass through me. I hoped Rico would remember his promise.

Just as I was giving up hope, there was a sharp rap from outside the window. I climbed on the bed and peeked out. Rico beckoned me and I poked my head out of the window.

“Get Miss Maddie,” he ordered, keeping watch.

“Where will you take her?” I asked, wanting details. I wasn’t handing my baby over to anyone.

“To the cops. There are three squad cars covering the nearest exit. I’ll push her out of the fire door without your brother knowing, don’t worry. The cops will grab her immediately.”

“Is that what all this noise is? Are the cops here?”

“SWAT team,” he said shortly. “Hurry, Miss Tia. We’re running out of time. If your brother realizes he’s been beaten, he’s going to come straight for Miss Maddie, because she is his only chance of getting out of here alive.”

I hugged Maddie one last time and told her Rico was taking her to the police.

‘“You’ll see your Daddy soon, honey,” I promised.

“What about you?”

“Oh, me too,” I said vaguely.

I had no intention of leaving until I knew Maddie was safe.

“Rico, will you come back here and tell me she’s safe after the cops get her?”

“I will, Miss Tia,” he swore. “I’ll wait behind the door until they grab her, and don’t worry, I’ll guard her with my life.”

I didn’t know why I believed him after what he did to us, but I did. I just hoped I didn’t live to regret it. I would have gone with her if I could, but I knew I had to stay here and distract my brother when he came to get us.

I pushed Maddie out of the window and she squealed softly as she fell into Rico’s waiting arms. He took off at a run and vanished from my sight. I sat on the bed and prayed like I’d never prayed before.

Less than five minutes later, Arjun burst into the room, wild-eyed and furious.

CHAPTER 28

LEO

It took Marcus and the Commissioner to hold me down when the SWAT team stormed the warehouse.

“You said we could go in,” I yelled in North’s face.

“Well, I meantus, not you. We’re professionals. We know what we’re doing. You’re a civilian with a hero complex. At best, you’ll get killed, and at worst, you’ll blow the whole operation and get your daughter killed. Take your pick,” he said sarcastically.

At some level, I knew he was right. But on a baser level, I wanted to go in there and get my girls out before they got caught in the crossfire.

North’s phone rang and he held up a hand as he listened. Then, he clapped Marcus on the shoulder.

“We need to get to the fire exit on the left immediately,” he yelled. “Go! Go! Go!”

Marcus peeled out of there and we parked as close to the exit as possible. There were three squad cars there already, with the cops waiting with their guns aimed at the fire door.

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