ia's

ly to go and take the second route, where they wouldn't see me, and gone back to Matteo's room, though I didn't enter. He'd see through me and I didn't want him getting worried. My m

myself however I can, only to find a tall, muscular man gripping me tightly. He was dressed sha

said, his voi

Excuse me, who do you t

he replied, his tone flat

ht notice, but the hallway was empty

show he wasn't bluffing. "Don't make

alm. "Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "But if yo

ar. The door opened, and he practically pushed me inside, closing it behind him as he climbed in the fr

tone sharper this time. "An

le

had no idea where we were going. My heart was pounding against my

d me. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the car slowed to a sto

ding me down a hallway and into a dimly lit office. The room was furnished in dark woods and leather, screaming we

his eyes calculating as they

ng my voice to stay ste

replied smoothly, his

was dragged out of a hospital and brought here?

t gestured to the cha

king to a man whose men held guns to my head just because I touched his daug

most as if he were am

not to let him see my nerv

see through me. "My daughter, Francesca. She's... at

ed herself? She just met me fo

ic," he replied dryly. "All she's done since

e little girl's teary eye

She needs someone in her life. Someone steady." He

e saying you brought me here because your

e clarified, his tone as co

t a laugh before I could stop myself.

u?" His voice was calm, but

. "What's

..." He paused. "A brother in the hos

surged within me. "You did

f this sort of invasion of privacy were completely no

coldly. "The answer is

link. "I wa

off guard by his sheer

to be Francesca's nanny. She needs you, and you're mo

I have my own life, my own responsibilities. My brother needs me

htly, studying me. I could see his jaw tense, and ther

owly, "could have his hosp

d a beat. "What

he has a job when he recovers. Financial stability. Comfor

truggling for, but I knew it came at a price. I hesitated, weighing the cost. Working for a man

idering it," he sa

let him see how tempting his o

oked almost entert

er nanny, you won't just cover my brother's bills. You'll also set him

ell he hadn't expected me to push ba

onditions," I replied, crossing my arms to hide how

considering. Finally, he nodded. "V