NANNY TO THE MAFIA BOSS

r brother, Ethan. She had taken this nanny position to support

uggles in foster care, and her determination to provide a bett

and deceitful eyes still invaded her nightmares. The memo

's gentle voice int

ing a smile. "Ye

rinkled at the corners. "I was asking i

ey're asleep. I'll be he

d to Troy. His charming facade had hidden a manipulative and

red, a constant remind

aking the spell. Miranda's

ubbly voice filled the l

ow much to share. "It's goi

d serious. "And Alex

pered caution but she co

h to share. "He's... complica

ough the line. "Complicated, h

e tightened. "Don't even

ies."Miranda's voice softened. "But seriously, ha

ensuring she was alone. "No, thank Go

s almost impercepti

fter that, but Sophia sensed a s

s came rushing. "Soph, be careful, okay? I've

ine we

What rumors? And why d

om seemed to deepen, as if Troy

he call ended. She pushed aside the f

n was due soon, and Sophia's savings were dwindling. She ma

o Ethan's struggles. He was working multiple part-time jo

with pride and worry. S

week as the Thompson children's nanny. She dropped her bag and

, knowing it was Ethan. She let

id, holding up a piz

lit up. "You'

Ethan in on her new job. Ethan listened

mpson? What's he l

ow much to share. "Complic

erious. "Be careful, Soph. I

ticed Ethan's gaze driftin

face. Ethan hesitated. "I... I owe some money, Sop

heart sank

ely above a whispe

and they finished their pizza

king more relaxed."Thanks, Soph. You always

rted ways to their respective rooms, t

row's meeting with Alexander as sh

red to Miranda. Why had she been acting so stran

sed with work. But the memory lingered, leaving S

apartment. She had always protected Sophia

"You breathe a word to Sophia,

a liability. If Troy's enemies dis

something was amiss. Miranda had deflected, unsu

ghtstand caught her eye. She had swor

r simplicity. She yearned for genuine co

grow, but with it, the isolation. People feared

ecame her closest friends, unaware of her brother's

collided. She walked a tightrope, hiding her

ach was long. To keep Sophia safe, she severed ties

her newfound solitude. No more lavish parties or fo

, lost in thought. Memories of

n their college dorm's backyard. Sophia sn

" Ethan yelled,

ytail bouncing, and sna

red, "That'

collapsed onto th

da, his eyes sparklin

ushed, feel

mera. "Your turn to captur

hotos as Ethan and

hrough the yard, creati

buzzed, shatteri

d, displaying Troy's

smooth voice purred. "Don't

r phone tightened. "T

at," Troy chuckled. "I'm in town, and

screamed warning. "

tone dripped with sarcasm. "I've heard rumors about

crawled. "Leave

become feisty,

spine. "We'll discuss that in person.

ne wen

d fears she thought she'd left behind, threatening the fragile peace she

's house across the street,

leep, oblivious to the danger lurk

o grow thicker, like a living

sinister presence watc