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CHAPTER 22
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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A CURVY NANNY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 23
But it wasn't until after dinner that evening, that Nicola had the chance to thank Blake for the red roses. They had just put a sleepy Iris to bed and moved into the hallway when she turned to him. She stood there for several seconds and gazed at Blake. His hair brushed the collar of his white shirt and she had to clasp her hands tightly behind her back to keep from running them through the thick dark mass. Nicola saw in the dim hallway the lines of fatigue and stress at the corners of his eyes and wondered if he had as much trouble sleeping the night before as she had. Realizing she was gawking, Nicola averted her eyes.“I told you you’re forgiven. You didn't have to send me flowers.”“I wanted to… My behavior was despicable…”“Well… thank you for your gesture. The roses are beautiful.”“You're welcome,” Blake replied. Nervous, Nicola shifted from one foot to the other.“This morning you said you had something important to ask me. I'm here and
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The next day, Nicola and Iris entered the ‘Echols Enterprises’ building and made their way across the large lobby to the elevator. They passed Paul, the head of Security who was talking to a couple of members of the team. He nodded his head in greeting and Nicola nodded back. At the elevator, Iris insisted on pushing the button. When the doors slid open, she raced inside. Standing on her tiptoes in front of the control panel, she reached up to push all the buttons.“Not so fast, little one,” Nicola said, stepping inside the elevator. “We don't need to stop to all the floors.” She held the baby up and pointed to one with the number twenty on it.“Push only this one. That will take us to the top floor where your Daddy is.” Iris jabbed the button with her finger. Nicola put her down slowly, then the baby moved closer to Nicola as the elevator began to ascend. The doors parted a minute later and they walked out into the reception room to find Daphne
A CURVY NANNY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 25
On Fridays, the working hours were shorter. So, Blake decided to take advantage of this ‘excuse’ and go home a little earlier. It had been a long week and he was more than ready for the weekend. He was sitting at his desk, thinking about something fun to do with Iris and Nicola. Maybe go around town and do some shopping. Maybe just playing with Iris… Maybe talking with Nik… kissing her… telling her how beautiful she was, how grateful he was to her for all the help… How happy he was to have her in his life… Smiling like he never smiled before, Blake turned toward the computer to shut it off and spotted Daphne standing in the doorway.“Mr. Echols.” Blake groaned inwardly. She was still quite mad at Nik and him about the whole ‘marriage’ situation… A week had passed since Daphne had learned that he and Nicola were engaged to be married, and she was still treating him coldly. Blake remained polite despite his
A CURVY NANNY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 26
Nicola was in the kitchen fixing herself a cup of tea when her cell phone rang. She looked at the caller’s ID. It was Blake. Maybe he was calling to ask about Iris. The little one was away with Alma. Still, no matter the reason for this call, it was nice to hear his voice.“Hi,” she replied, trying not to sound too enthusiastic.“‘Hi, Nik,’” he replied. “‘Listen, I’m still with Norman. We’re still working on the right strategy to go after Claire.’”“Okay…”“‘I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be a little late.’” ‘He is acting like a real husband…’ she thought.“S-sure,” she mumbled, totally surprised. “But you’ll skip dinner… Have you already eaten?”“‘Yes, I did. Norman ordered some pizza and we ate in his office. An early dinner.’”“Oh… Okay. Good,” Nicola mumbled again. “Have you two decided the right path to follow?”“‘I think so. We have a few plans, but we are going to start everything after our wedding.’” ‘OUR wedding… It sounds so good and at
A CURVY NANNY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 27
Daphne didn’t stay long. After she left, Nicola went in search of Blake and found him in his office. He was standing at the window looking outside. Wondering what was going through his head, Nicola leaned against the doorframe and gazed at him. He looked so different from the man she saw earlier, in the kitchen. The one who kissed her was a happy Blake, a man without worries and doubts, a man happy to get married in a few days. The man who took care of her during their two flights. The man who offered to help Martin Seabrook. The man who kissed her senseless in that hotel suite in Houston. What Nicola was seeing now, the man in front of her, seemed the one who treated her so disrespectfully a few nights ago. Unbidden, an image of an angry Blake grabbing her and kissing her roughly sprang to mind and Nicola shoved the memory deep down inside. She was determined not to dwell on unhappy thoughts.“Are you goi
A CURVY NANNY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 28
On Friday morning, Blake awoke early.“My wedding day…” he said as he came awake. “Today, I’m getting married to a woman I don’t love and who’s not in love with me but willing to help me save my child… Am I doing the right thing here?” The thought was disturbing, irritating but also quite scary. After the bad experience with Claire, after their nasty divorce, Blake swore he would never enter that trap again. Not willingly. The simple thought of getting married was upsetting enough. But as they say… Never say never. He was about to do it again. Blake rolled over onto his side and his eyes landed on the picture of Iris that sat on the bedside table. A feeling of calm quickly replaced the fear, worry, and dismay.“Yes, marrying Nik is the right thing to do…” An image of the beautiful blonde-haired woman abandoned in his arms, responding so passionately to his kisses, filled his head, and emotions he had no name for rose within
A CURVY NANNY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 29
Shortly before seven, they all arrived at the airport. The luggage was loaded onto the plane as Bruce and Albert were already boarding.“Alma, could you take care of Iris? I’ll be right there with you,” Nicola said.“Of course, sweetie,” the housekeeper replied. “Take your time.” Nicola stood in front of the jet, looking around for Blake. She needed him by her side. The mild sedative the doctor had prescribed wasn’t working and she was starting to feel anxious.“Nik! Sweetie!” A voice she knew all too well made her turn. It was Daphne… with Norman Rothenstein. He was her mysterious date for the wedding? The image of Daphne and Norman talking at the reception the day she went there with Iris, returned to Nicola’s mind. Her best friend and Blake’s lawyer were… a couple. Blake was walking behind them, talking to the pilot. “Daph, you look amazing!” she said, giving her friend a huge hug.“You, too, babe!”“Hi, Nik,”
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Blake stood at the front of the chapel, smiling as he watched Iris walking up the center aisle throwing small fistfuls of red rose petals on the floor. She was almost near the white wooden pulpit when she stopped suddenly and peered into the basket.“No more roses,” she declared genuinely, waving the empty basket in the air. Quite determined to do her part well, the little girl bent down and started picking up the petals she had already thrown. Everybody started laughing and Alma came and took Iris in her arms.“You did extremely well, Miss Iris,” she said and they both sat on a chair. Daphne was coming toward him. She smiled at him, nodded, then entered the chapel. Glancing past Daphne, Blake's eyes came to rest on his soon-to-be wife, as she slowly made her way toward him. Nicola was the most beautiful bride he had ever laid eyes on. While his heart was knocking against his ribs, he took a deep breath and walked toward her.“Nik, you’re a vision,” he sai
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A CURVY NANNY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER… “Bedtime, munchkin,” Nicola said from the living room doorway. Iris, who was lying on the floor, watching cartoons, jumped up and ran toward the door.“Come on, Olaf,” she said to the dog following her religiously almost everywhere.“Did you pick out what you want to take to show and tell tomorrow?” Nicola asked as they made their way upstairs.“Yes, I did,” Iris replied. “I’m taking the seashell Aunt Daph gave me.”“That’s a wonderful idea! I believe everybody will like that. They can put it to their ear and listen to the ocean,” Nicola exclaimed and took her little hand in hers. “Let’s say goodnight to your daddy. He’s in his office.” They stopped outside Blake’s office and Iris knocked on the door.“‘Come in,’” Blake called out. Iris opened the door and entered the room.“It’s bedtime, Daddy,” she announced. Blake checked his watch.“Already? Well… you’d better give me my goodnight hug and kiss.” Nicola smiled.
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The next morning, Blake and Nicola entered together the Long Beach Police Department. Paul was waiting for them in there. He showed them the way to the interrogation room where Damien Crewe was about to be brought.“Nik, are you sure you want to be present during this?” the detective asked Nicola after she sat in front of the two-way mirror and placed the crutches near her. “You might hear some ugly things…” Blake watched his wife. Before leaving the mansion that morning, he’d asked her the same thing, afraid Nicola might have a breakdown or something. Her reply was a simple ‘yes’ followed by a soft smile.“Uglier than what I’ve been through? Yes, I’m sure, Paul,” Nicola replied in a determined tone. “I MUST be here. This man took away too much of my sanity, my energy, my time with Blake and Iris. It’s time to face the monster and put an end to this. It’s time to move on with my life.” She looked up at Blake and smiled. She didn’t look stressed or worried
A CURVY NANNY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 65
Long after Daphne had gone home for the day, Blake sat at his desk, deep in thought. He was thinking of Nicola and the words they had exchanged in anger. ‘What you’re planning to do is wrong, Blake. And you’re going to lose me. Forever!’ ‘And what about our little girl? What do you think it would do to Iris to lose her daddy?’ Those words were the ones that stood out more than anything in his mind. The idea of Nicola leaving him, walking out on their marriage, and the thought of not seeing Iris anymore, scared the hell out of Blake. More than going to jail for breaking into little pieces the son of a bitch who hurt the woman he loved. The last thing Blake wanted was to lose Nicola and the life they had together.“Echols, you look like you lost your best friend,” Norman said, strolling into the office.“Not yet, Norm, but I could,” Blake replied. Norman arched an eyebrow.“Care to explain that to me?” Blake
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A week later found Nicola sitting alone in the living room, gazing out the window. Rain was coming down and beating against the windowpane. While she watched it, Nicola thought about her life before being kidnapped and tortured.“I used to be so happy… Now I feel frightened and depressed…” she murmured. “Thank God for Blake and Iris… They are my reason to get out of the bed every morning.” The therapy was working but not as fast as everyone hoped it would. Still, she kept on attending every session, repeating herself to be patient. “Mind if I sit with you for a while? Bruce asked from the doorway. Nicola gave the cushion beside her a pat. Bruce crossed the room and sat down.“How are you doing, Nik?”“I don’t know… Okay, I guess,” Nicola replied. Bruce reached for Nicola's hand and held it between both of his.“It will get easier, dear. I promise you it will.”“You don't know what I'm going through,” Nicola said angrily. “So don't tell me
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“Daddy…” Blake glanced up from the book he was reading and gazed at Iris. She was standing in the doorway with Olaf at her feet, and she had a sad look on her face. He closed the book and placed it on the table next to him.“Come here, sunshine.”Iris ran to Blake and climbed onto his lap. She settled in the crook of his arm.“What's wrong?” he asked.“I went to your room to see Nik…” she muttered.“Okay…”“But I didn’t enter because she was crying… I didn’t want to bother her.” He took a deep breath and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.“I see…”“Daddy, why is Nik crying?”“She is sad. When you're sad, don't you cry?”“Yeah.”“Something really bad happened to her and it’s going to take a little while for her to feel better,” Blake explained, caressing her head. “But don’t worry… She is going to be alright… Everything is going to be alright.”The little girl laid her head on his shoulder.“Oh, okay… I'll paint her a picture.”“This is a great idea. Nik adores
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Nicola was released from the hospital a few days later. Before she left, she insisted on finally seeing Benjamin. Since Blake was still pretty reluctant about this painful reunion, to get her way, Nicola threatened Blake to go and stay with Norman and Daphne.“Okay, darling… But let's make this brief,” Blake said, pushing the wheelchair down the long hallway. “I want to get you home as soon as possible.”“I'll try not to take too long.” Nicola adjusted the shawl she wore around her shoulders and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the cuts on her arms throbbing as she moved. Halfway down the hall, Blake stopped and knocked on the door on his left. He heard Benjamin replying and opened the door. Careful not to bump Nicola's broken leg against the door, Blake wheeled her into the room and parked the chair next to the bed.“I was wondering if you were going to come and see me,” Benjamin said to Nicola.“I will leave you two to talk,” Blake said, then kis
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The next morning, Blake awoke with an aching back and a stiff neck. Groaning, he slowly rose from the chair beside the bed and rubbed his lower back. After kissing Nicola, who was still asleep, he slipped out of the room and made his way down the hallway to a coffee vending machine. Once the coffee was ready, he took a cautious sip of the steaming liquid, then started walking slowly toward Nicola’s room. When Blake reentered, he found a nurse redressing Nicola's burn. Not ready to face the most devastating and painful proof of her torture, Blake quietly returned to the hallway to wait for the nurse to finish. While he stood there, drinking his coffee, his thoughts turned to last night and anger sprang to life inside of him. The urge for revenge swept over him and he fought for control of his emotions. The time for payback would come soon. Claire will feel his rage… She will…“Blake.” Hearing Daphne's voice, he turned and saw her and Nor
A CURVY NANNY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 60
He opened the door and looked out at the detective March.“My wife is ready to answer your questions.” The detective moved past Blake and strolled toward the bed.“Thank you for agreeing to see me, Mrs. Echols.”“It's Nik,” she told him softly.“Oh, alright,” the detective replied. “Then, call me Paul, please.”“Okay. Have a seat,” Nicola invited him. The detective sat down on the chair next to the bed.“Before you get started,” Blake said, glancing down at Nicola, “do you need anything, darling?”“No, sweetheart, thank you. I just want to get this over with. But you should sit down.”“I'll try to make it as brief as possible, Nik.” Nicola turned her head on the pillow and gazed at the detective.“Good… Then, maybe I should tell you right away that I know the name of my aggressor…” Both of them looked at Nicola like she was half crazy. She took a deep breath and watched as Blake was slowly sitting on the side of the bed.“Nik, are you
A CURVY NANNY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 59
While waiting for the doctor to come out and speak with him, Blake was sitting in the waiting room. He was leaning forward on the chair, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Every fiber of his being was screaming for him to find the doctor and demand answers to the questions that were eating away at him but he also knew he had to keep his composure… for Nicola’s sake.“Dammit, Nik! I failed you… I promised to keep you safe and look what happened…” Blake kept whispering. “It’s all my fault… I’m so sorry, my love…” Tired of sitting on that damn chair and doing nothing, Blake stood and moved toward the window. While he glanced out into the darkness, he thought back over the past several hours, since Alma’s phone call… ‘Mr. Blake, you must come home… Ben has been shot… and Nik… Someone kidnapped her…’ Her desperate voice on the phone iced the blood in his veins. As long as he lived, he will never forget her chilling, utterly
