03

~JADE~

We were quiet on the drive back home, probably because Marcel, Vincenzo’s right-hand man, was behind the wheel and had insisted on delivering us to our dorm. But I knew he didn’t give a fuck about us and was only keeping an eye on us for Vincenzo.

Pearl retched the instant we got in and Ruby followed after her to calm her down. When they returned, Pearl was hysterical and sweating heavily.

“I can’t do this anymore.” She announced and kept pacing about the room. “I can’t keep pretending that everything and everyone around here is sane!.”

“Did you see what they did to Crystal tonight? For fuck sake that could have been any of us!.”

I shut my eyes tightly as Pearl’s voice rose, and then I waited until her words melted into the background.

“I’m going to bed first,” I said and stood up. Ruby nodded, but Pearl scoffed.

“Yeah.. run away, Jade. Run away and pretend that everything is fucking fine like you always do!.”

I ignored Pearl and walked away.

As I got to my room, I rushed to the toilet and retched, letting out all the vomit. Then I got into the shower and let the water calm my rage. Crystal’s death had gotten to me.

But when you grow up with a man like Lazarus Russo, witnessing death was expected to become an everyday thing.

Not to me.

The image of mother’s open, lifeless eyes on her wedding anniversary night still haunted me. My father’s dying words remained fresh in my mind as if they had only been spoken yesterday.

I had not given up hope of finding my brother; but, I cannot face Lucas until I presented the heads of my parent’s murderers to him on a silver tray.

3:15 A.M.

A beep from my phone woke me up from a regular bloody dream. I checked and saw that it was a notification from Marcel;

“Get ready. They will pick you up.” The message read. Beneath it was a downtown address. I smiled because I knew the game was on. If taking this mission meant that I could finally get the revenge I craved, then I was one step closer to finding Lucas.

_____

Pilot. Bartender. Pole dancer.

I have been way too many things to too many people for as long as I can remember. Mixing drinks with just enough lethal doses to take out a hundred people or taking control of an airplane in full transit.

They were easy tasks. My type of tasks.

But here I was, in a tiny makeshift apartment arranged by Vincenzo to play my part as a damned nanny.

Waiting…

I glanced at the noisy wall clock in the corner which still managed to tick despite its terrible state and I frowned. What the hell was taking so long?

The anticipated rap came a minute later and I hurried to get the door. Outside, a well-bodied, suited man stood. His stern eyes swept over my outfit and he frowned with a hint of uncertainty in his gaze.

“Hello.” I greeted.

“Good day. I’m here for Miss Elena Chantel. I’d assumed that this is the right address...”

“That’d be me,” I confirmed and wheeled a box that contained my personal effects out. I smiled and looked up at him expectantly as I offered my hand. “I'm Elena Chantel, from the agency. I'm guessing you work for the Axtons? The agency sent a notice that they would send someone over to get me.”

He nodded reluctantly but didn’t take my hand. Instead, he glanced at my luggage. “And your phone?.”

“Kept behind as instructed,” I confirmed and the bodyguard finally relaxed.

“Great. Please come with me.” He said and turned away.

I studied the roads as we moved and let my eyes have their fill while my senses worked. Growing up in Rotana had made me map-wise and I knew every area in the city like I knew the lines on my palm… except this road.

It was separate from town and would be a dead end on the map; but it went on and on, past the rows of trees that provided both shade and fresh air until we drove past a security checkpoint filled with military men, and soon enough, the car pulled up in front of a huge white-walled mansion.

Even though the bodyguard had been too strict to accept my handshake, he was polite enough to hold the door as I stepped out.

“Thank you.” I appreciated his gesture and my eyes took in my environment with interest.

We were standing on a large expanse of land, and the style of the building before me appeared almost obsolete, yet it screamed luxury, like a modern Georgian-style mansion.

It was obvious the Axtons were rich.

The opening of the entrance door interrupted my thoughts and an elderly woman walked out with two male servants behind her. There was no exchange shared apart from a bow, then they reached for my bags to take them in.

“You must be Miss Chantel. I’m Mrs. Lopez, the family’s housekeeper.” The woman who appeared to be in her mid-fifties declared with a bright smile. She offered her hand for a shake. I accepted it with a smile and allowed her to lead me in.

“Please. Elena’s just fine.”

“First names are for the maids and servants maybe. You would be in charge of looking after the young miss. I’m afraid this doesn’t apply to you, Miss Chantel.”

“Oh. I see.”

“A very interesting choice of fit for a nanny.”

“I’m sorry?.” I said, slightly confused at her sudden declaration.

“I meant your outfit.”

“Oh..” Mrs. Lopez’s words made me recall the expression on the bodyguard’s face when he had picked me up. And as we walked, the servants stared, but I knew they were looking at me. At least now I understood why. Instead of the usual outfits of jeans and casuals for the job, I had chosen to dress up in a business suit.

“I would work on having that changed…”

“I’m afraid I would love to keep it this way.” I disagreed and two of the maids nearby gasped.

Mrs. Lopez instantly stopped to walk and studied me with interest. “There have been twenty-one nannies before you, Miss. Chantel. The young miss is not an easy one to please. I know your resume says you have handled eight kids in the past, triplets included, but between the two of us…” the housekeeper moved closer to me and lowered her voice. “I hope you get to stay.”

Her words struck a stubborn nerve within me and suddenly my mission as a nanny didn’t look so gloomy any longer. I was eager to meet this kid, who had made the jobs of the nannies before me a difficult one.

“I will stay, Mrs. Lopez,” I assured the housekeeper and looked around the hallway while wondering when I would get to meet any main member of the family. “Where’s this young miss if I may ask?.”

Mrs. Lopez was slightly taken aback as she stared at me with interest. I resisted the urge to chuckle. Perhaps, she’d expected that I would bolt through the door with my bags on my head after listening to her subtle threat.

“I’m afraid Miss Eva is uhm.. unavailable at the moment. Your bags have been delivered to your appointed room and I will have one of the maids lead you there…” She signaled for one of the maids who had been listening in our conversation, then turned back to me. “Settle in, Miss. Chantel. I’ll have someone get you when the young Miss arrives.”

I followed behind the Asian maid carefully. As we walked I learned her name was Kim and she worked in the laundry room. But my mind had already wandered; We had made several turns yet we only passed by the household staff, no family members were in sight…

“Ahh!” Kim abruptly exclaimed as we made another turn. Her black and white uniform was thoroughly soaked. She had bumped into a servant carrying a bowl of water.

“So sorry.”

“Nah. It’s fine. Accidents like that happen all the time. Achoo!.” Kim sneezed and I frowned.

“I’m so sorry.” The servant hastily apologized. Kim's cheeks flushed and she turned to me with a nervous chuckle.

“I think you should get changed, you don’t want to catch a cold.” I proposed but I could see that she was still a bit reluctant about my suggestion.

I insisted with a smile. “I’m good with directions. How about you just tell me what way to go and check up on me later after you get changed?.”

“Alright.” She finally agreed with a sigh and pointed down the hallway. “Once you get to the end of this hall, you break out into two wings. The left-wing is closed to staff, but your room is the third on the right wing. Thank you and I’m sorry. This shouldn't take long.”

I nodded, telling her I understood, but while the other servant cleaned up and left, the maid continued to stare until I turned towards the right wing, and then she left.

I know. I lied. I never was good with instructions. You don't become the best at what you do by missing opportunities. I checked for hidden cameras and made my way to the left wing. I counted six doors and tried to open most; they were locked.

I almost gave up on the last, but my instincts kicked against it so I went ahead. The door opened freely.

“Strip.”

“Come closer to me.”

I froze.