Captive Vow E-Book

Willow Fox

• Herausgeber: Slow Burn Publishing
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

When you're accused of stealing jewelry from the grumpy single dad who you nanny for but...

---

Grumpy single dad seeks Nanny...
Her father tells me she’s mute. Except I catch her humming a lullaby.
He’s a liar. Or she has everyone deceived.
What possibly could a four-year-old be hiding?
I really should have done a background check on him. Imagine my surprise when I discover my grumpy boss works for the mafia.
I want to leave but he won’t let me. I’m his captive, forced to follow his rules and do as he demands.
This slow burn mafia romance is the second book in the Mafia Marriages series. Captive Vow can be read as a standalone and features a happily ever after. It also includes cameo appearances from the Eagle Tactical series.

Leseprobe

CAPTIVE VOW

MAFIA MARRIAGES BOOK TWO

WILLOW FOX

Captive Vow

Mafia Marriages Book Two

Willow Fox

Published by Slow Burn Publishing

Cover design by MiblArt

V2

© 2021

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

CONTENTS

About this Book

Chapter 1

Paige

Chapter 2

Paige

Chapter 3

Moreno

Chapter 4

Paige

Chapter 5

Moreno

Chapter 6

Paige

Chapter 7

Moreno

Chapter 8

Paige

Chapter 9

Paige

Chapter 10

Moreno

Chapter 11

Paige

Chapter 12

Moreno

Chapter 13

Paige

Chapter 14

Moreno

Chapter 15

Paige

Chapter 16

Moreno

Chapter 17

Paige

Chapter 18

Moreno

Chapter 19

Paige

Chapter 20

Moreno

Chapter 21

Paige

Chapter 22

Moreno

Chapter 23

Paige

Chapter 24

Moreno

Chapter 25

Paige

Chapter 26

Moreno

Chapter 27

Paige

Chapter 28

Moreno

Chapter 29

Paige

Chapter 30

Moreno

Chapter 31

Paige

Chapter 32

Moreno

Chapter 33

Paige

Chapter 34

Moreno

Chapter 35

Paige

Chapter 36

Moreno

Chapter 37

Paige

Chapter 38

Moreno

Chapter 39

Paige

Chapter 40

Moreno

Chapter 41

Paige

Chapter 42

Moreno

Chapter 43

Paige

Epilogue

Moreno

Giveaways, Free Books, and More Goodies

About the Author

Also by Willow Fox

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Captive Vow

(Mafia Marriages Book Two)

Grumpy single dad seeks Nanny...

Her father tells me she’s mute. Except I catch her humming a lullaby.

He’s a liar. Or she has everyone deceived.

What possibly could a four-year-old be hiding?

I really should have done a background check on him. Imagine my surprise when I discover my grumpy boss works for the mafia.

I want to leave but he won’t let me. I’m his captive, forced to follow his rules and do as he demands.

This slow burn mafia romance is the second book in the Mafia Marriages series. Captive Vow can be read as a standalone and features a happily ever after. It also includes cameo appearances from the Eagle Tactical series.

1

PAIGE

I ought to walk out before I end up murdered.

Everything feels off.

The smell of stale cigarette smoke lingers in the air and burns my nostrils. The floral wallpaper is a dirty old yellow.

The hairs on my arm stand on end.

I should turn around.

Run.

But I need a job and the wooden sign hanging outside, squeaking in the wind with the words Nanny Agency, Inc., caught my interest.

“Hello?” I call down an empty hallway.

I step farther into the single-story brick building. The place looks new from the outside, but the appearance inside tells another story.

A rough Italian accent, male, catches me off guard as he comes up from a back stairwell.

Abruptly, he shuts the door behind himself.

“Can I help you?” he asks. He glances at me thoroughly, over, up, and down.

Is he ogling me?

Gross!

He’s not the least bit attractive, with his bushy eyebrows and a thick, raised red scar across his cheek and arms. It looks like Hook left his mark after he fought with a crocodile.

While I realize that I’m not dressed in a suit or blazer, I have on a nice pair of jeans and a blouse. I wasn’t planning on stopping in for an interview, just an application.

“I saw your sign when I was driving by,” I say.

He steps closer and reaches for the speaker, turning the radio louder, though I don’t have the slightest idea as to why.

There are only the two of us in the building.

It’s a rather rude gesture, and I have half a mind to run before I end up chopped up in his cellar, but I also need a job. And I’m good with kids.

Aside from Mr. Ogling Scar Face, there’s no one else who I notice in the office.

I start again, deciding maybe I need to be more direct in my approach. “I’m Paige Stone. I have previous experience as a preschool director and owner of a preschool facility in Spring Valley. I’d like to find out if you have any nanny openings available.”

“We have an opening that we haven’t been able to fill yet,” the gentleman says. He glances me up and down again.

Is it something about my appearance? I glance down to make sure there isn’t a stain on my shirt or a hole in my jeans that I missed.

“You’re a little older than our usual girls who come in.”

“I don’t know what kind of nanny operation you’re running here, but I have plenty of experience, and as far as I’m concerned, if you’re discriminating based on age or body type, I’ll contact an attorney.”

His brow tightens.

“That isn’t necessary,” he seethes. His hands clench into fists.

My threat seems to have intimidated him.

Good!

I reach for a business card on the nearby desk, prepared to file a complaint if he doesn’t at least give me an application to fill out.

“Are you Vance DeLuca?” I ask, reading the name on the card.

“I am,” he says.

There’s no hint of a smile, and the whole place wreaks of trouble, but I’m not intending to nanny for him or his family. He’s just the middleman, the broker, and I need a job.

2

PAIGE

The doorbell jingles as I step foot inside the small café. I’m early for my job interview and don’t want to show up before my appointment.

Thankfully, I only had to wait a day for the interview.

Sleeping in my car sucks.

I grab an overpriced coffee and then a seat at a table, keeping an eye on the time.

My focus is primarily on my phone. The coffee shop at two in the afternoon is pretty quiet, except for the hiss and whirl of the machines as the barista prepares a coffee for another customer.

I glance up briefly from my phone and offer a weak smile.

I grew up in Breckenridge, but it feels like a lifetime ago. The last time I was here, I helped pack up Mom’s house and had her move in with me. Now that she’s gone, coming home just feels right.

Maybe it’s because the town holds fond memories.

Who says you can’t go home again?

At least, I want to believe that to be the case.

Another glance at my phone and the position that the nanny agency suggested might be a good fit.

Businessman seeks full-time nanny to special needs girl. Includes room & board along with a modest stipend.

The gentleman at the counter grabs his drink and pauses, giving me the once over. “Paige?”

He’s tall, handsome, and has a plethora of ink that covers his skin. He’s easy on the eyes, and my gaze falls quickly to the wedding band that he’s wearing.

Damn.

“Yes?” I don’t recognize him.

But he knows me.

“Wow, you don’t remember me. Do you?” he asks.

I smile sheepishly and tuck an errant strand of hair behind my ear. I doubt he was covered in ink the last time I saw him.

His grin is wide and bright. He looks genuinely happy.

That’s how I want to feel. I hope living here, moving here, can bring me that same type of joy.

“Jaxson Monroe,” he says and holds out his hand.

I smile and nod, pretending to recognize him. “Right.”

I could never be an actress. In all honesty, I have no clue who he is, but he’s drop-dead gorgeous. Like he just walked right off the cover of a romance book.

“You don’t remember me,” he says.

Well, he knows who I am. My name isn’t that common. “I guess I haven’t changed that much,” I say with a laugh. “I’m betting you didn’t have those tattoos the last time we saw each other.”

Jaxson smiles warmly and laughs. He shakes his head. “I’d say not. High school was the last time we saw each other, but I’d say we went to junior high and elementary school together. I won’t take any offense. Promise.” He gives a scout’s honor gesture.

He doesn’t quite look like a boy scout, but I smile politely. I’ve plastered a grin on my face to not seem so out of sorts.

He doesn’t grasp I’m uncomfortable, or maybe he’s just one of those super friendly and outgoing guys who doesn’t realize that other people aren’t great at making conversation.

He’s lucky.

I’m not.

“Are you visiting family?” Jaxson asks.

My lips tighten for a brief second. “No. I decided to move back here for a job.” I glance at my watch. “I have an interview to get to.”

I stand and take the remnants of my coffee with me, dropping it into the trash.

“Good luck.”

“Thank you. It was nice seeing you again, Jaxson,” I say over my shoulder.

* * *

The café shop was bright, sunny, and felt friendly, probably because I ran into Jaxson.

I pull up outside the address for my interview. It’s a dive bar.

“Seriously?”

What kind of businessman interviews for a nanny at a bar? I need the job, and being pretentious isn’t going to help me land the gig.

I’m only about five minutes early. I turn my phone on silent, grab my resume from the front seat and step out of my sedan.

I slam the car door and head inside wearing an A-line skirt, blouse, a short-sleeved sweater, and high heels.

Dress for the job you want.

What does a nanny wear, exactly?

I’m no Mary Poppins. And let’s face it, I need the job more than she ever did.

If I don’t get the job, I’ll be sleeping in my car indefinitely.

Every cent was spent on hospital bills, the funeral, and taking care of my mother before her passing.

The door is heavy and squeaks on its hinges as I yank it open.

It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dimness, and I glance around, looking for a gentleman in a business suit.

There aren’t too many people in the bar. Two men are playing pool in leather jackets. They probably belong in a motorcycle club.

The bartender nods toward the back of the bar.

There’s a booth in the corner. The table has a placard marked reserved.

I saunter up to the gentleman seated in the booth. The hairs on my arms stand on end. Something feels not quite right, but I push all my fears and anxiety aside.

It’s probably me being nervous.

“Hi, I’m Paige Stone,” I say and hold out my hand to introduce myself.

“Moreno Ricci,” he introduces. “Please, have a seat.”

The booth is curved, and I do my best to sit as far from him as possible. This isn’t a date. I don’t want it to feel cozy.

Why didn’t he pick a table or a booth where we were seated across from one another? Hell, why didn’t he choose another place to meet?

He’s dressed sharply, in a suit, his white shirt crisp, his tie without a single flaw. “Tell me about yourself, Paige.”

His question almost comes off as sounding a little too personal, like a date. But I know I’m reading into it. This is a job interview.

He will be my boss if I’m hired.

“Yes, of course.” I slide over a copy of my resume. I also keep a second copy for myself to glance down at every so often. It helps me focus on what I want to say and keeps me from leaving out something important.

“I owned and operated a preschool in Spring Valley until late last fall when a buyer offered to purchase the establishment.”

I don’t want to elaborate on why I sold the business.

Not unless he asks.

His eyes tighten and he gives a weak nod. “Owning a preschool isn’t the same as working with children.”

“I have a degree in early education, and I spent a decade teaching preschool-aged children and writing a curriculum that other teachers used for my private preschool. You mentioned in your listing that your daughter is special needs. I have lots of experience working with a variety of children with unique requirements.”

“That’s all well and good,” Moreno says, “however, you need to understand that since this job includes room and board, you may see things that I can’t have you asking questions about or speaking of to anyone.”

“I don’t know anyone here,” I say. Well, that’s not true. I almost don’t know anyone. I ran into Jaxson earlier this morning, but he hardly counts. It’s not like we’re friends and sharing secrets. I don’t know where he lives or his phone number. He’s also married, from what I could tell, the ring a dead giveaway.

I haven’t exactly kept in touch with any of my childhood friends. Most of them moved away, I assume.

Moreno tightens his lips. “Secrecy is expected and seen as highly regarded above all else.”

He retrieves a briefcase and removes a series of papers and a pen.

“If you are interested, my employer and I require that you sign these papers to assure us that you understand your responsibilities and will keep everything you witness or overhear confidential.”

“That’s it. I sign the papers and the job is mine?” I ask.

I haven’t even met the little girl I’m supposed to be a nanny for yet, but I can’t imagine a four-year-old is that much of a terror. Even if she is, I need this job, and Moreno seems to need me.

“You will need to meet with my daughter, Nova, but that cannot happen until after you’ve signed the papers,” Moreno says.

I can’t imagine he brought Nova with him. “Do you own this place?” I ask, glancing around the bar. I can’t fathom why else he suggested that we meet here.

“My boss owns the place,” Moreno says and clears his throat.

Does he notice my discomfort?

“I appreciate the discretion that I’m offered here,” he says.

“I see.”

“Do you?” Moreno asks.

No, not really. I reach for the pages of documentation that he has requested I review and sign. “The agency had me already fill out a bunch of paperwork,” I say.

“Yes, I’m sure they did, but we require anyone coming into our home to understand and abide by our rules. Besides, the contract for hire is with us. We pay the agency for bringing you to us.”

My attention returns to the packet of documents that he wants me to sign. There’s an entire page on discretion, secrecy, and that I am to always follow his instructions.

He’s got a bit of a complex. That’s for sure.

But this job is better than sleeping in my car. And while I could apply at the coffee shop where I stopped this morning, I doubt it would pay enough for me to rent an apartment locally.

The fact that I’m offered room and board makes it worthwhile.

I scribble my name on the line and initial the individual pages he taps one at a time.

I skim over the specifics of the contract. It’s ninety-fricking pages. I would be here all day if I read every line, but I get the gist. Don’t disclose anything I witness, overhear, or find.

Satisfied with my signature, he places the pages back into his briefcase and slides out of the booth. “If you’d like to follow me, I can lead you to the property.”

I slip out of the booth and stand, smoothing down my skirt.

Moreno takes long, quick strides, and I practically have to run in my high heels to catch up with him.

He throws open the heavy wooden door, and the bright afternoon light forces me to squint.

“Where’s your vehicle?”

I point to the two-door sedan. It’s not much, but I haven’t needed anything extravagant.

He snorts under his breath. “That’s not going to get you up and around the mountain in winter. I’ll go slow since I’m betting you don’t have all-wheel drive on that thing.”

“Do you want to give me the address and I can put it into my phone?”

“GPS is spotty out here,” Moreno says. “Especially when we head farther off the beaten path.”

“Oh, okay.” I climb into my car and follow behind Moreno in his shiny black SUV. It looks brand new—even the wheels sparkle.

I’m driving a stick shift, and I downshift as I follow him up the mountain and then off the main road. We drive for a while with the forest at both sides, and then to the left is a clearing, open fields and haystacks abound.

It’s beautiful.

Moreno turns on his signal, and we head down a narrow driveway. Trees canopy above the road, making it feel like a bridge as we near the property.

Wrought-iron gates tower above and stretch on as far as I can see. We pull to a halt, and there’s a guard tower with a man inside the booth.

The forest is in the distance, but a clearing stretches on for two properties, with one giant log cabin. It’s remote but beautiful. The cabin is freshly stained, the wood bright with the sun shining against it, and huge. It very well could be described as a mansion, but from the outside, it’s rustic, not the least bit frilly.

What exactly does Moreno do for a living?

The gates part and I drive through slowly behind Moreno, giving the guard a brief nod of thanks as I enter the premises.

Private security?

I hit the jackpot getting room and board at a place like this.

It beats sleeping in my car.

Who does Moreno work for?

The C.I.A.?

3

MORENO

I park the SUV in front of the house and wait for Paige to park behind me.

“Ready?” It’s not really a question. I escort her inside, the front door locked, and the security system armed. I disarm it upon entering. There’s also a guard on duty at the main entrance to the foyer.

Leone isn’t usually on duty at the front entrance. Most of the time, we don’t require a guard to watch the door since we have a guard gate at the main entrance.

But today is different.

Bringing a stranger into the compound requires extra precautions. Leone has been assigned to watch over the new nanny when she’s unaccompanied by Don Ricci or me.

Paige is quiet and follows with soft footsteps. Her heels click against the wooden floorboards as she follows me through the foyer and around the hallway to the playroom downstairs.

“You decided to wear that to an interview for a nanny position?” I glance at Paige. By the time we’re done, she’s likely to have ruined her nice clothes.

Her brow furrows and she fixes her jacket and skirt.

I undoubtedly insulted her, but she has worked with kids before. She owned a preschool. Paige should have expected to wear something a bit more practical.

“You have a lovely home.” She ignores my remark.

“Thank you.” I don’t correct her to tell her it’s not my home. Dante has afforded me the privilege of living under his roof. It is an honor, and because he has eight bedrooms, there’s no issue regarding space.

Besides, Luca and Nova are practically inseparable, minus the time that Luca is in kindergarten.

I head into the playroom and discover Luca painting on the canvas and Nova enjoying a tea party with her stuffed animals.

Dante’s attention is on his phone, his back to the wall, leaning against it. “Oh good, you’re here with the new nanny.” He barely glances up. “Nikki had a doctor’s appointment. I need to check on a shipment coming in. Do you have this?”

“Yes, boss.”

Dante jets out of the playroom.

It’s always business. I’m honestly shocked he didn’t have Leone or Rhys watch Nova and Luca, although the last time Rhys was asked to sit in, the walls were covered in permanent marker.

“Hi, Moreno,” Luca says. His back is to me as he continues to paint a picture of our home.

I clear my throat. “Nova, we have a visitor.”

She glances up from her tea party and bats her bright blue eyes. She has her mother’s baby blues and strawberry-blonde hair. Some days I wonder if she’s even mine, but I know she is. Serene had only been with one man, ever.

“Nova, come over here.”

She hesitates, like always.

“Nova,” I say again. I am trying to remain calm. I need this to work with the new nanny. I can’t keep an eye on Nova and continue my role as Dante’s second in command.

Being an underboss to the don of the family is no easy task. It’s not a nine-to-five job. Whatever Dante needs, I do for him.

Wordlessly, Nova pushes back the chair. It squeaks against the floorboards before it topples over behind her.

She may be mute, but her actions are nothing of the sort.

Nova stands, but she doesn’t listen. She never listens to me.

With a heavy sigh, I stalk over and grab Nova’s arm, bringing her toward Paige.

“Paige, this is my daughter, Nova.”

“Hi, Nova,” Paige says, and immediately she bends down to Nova’s level. “I like your stuffed animal collection.”

Nova gnaws on her bottom lip and glances over her shoulder at her stuffed animals.

“Would it be okay for you to show me your friends?” Paige asks my daughter.

Nova glances from the nanny to me.

“Go ahead, you can show her your toys,” I say.

Folding my arms across my chest, I watch their interaction.

Paige is soft spoken with Nova and smiles warmly. She’s trying to ease my daughter’s fears. I get that.

But it’s not going to work.

Nova requires a firm hand and a strong, authoritative figure. Coddling her is the last thing to help the situation. She doesn’t listen, her mind constantly in a state of daydreaming and wandering.

“Which friend is your favorite?” Paige asks.

Nova doesn’t answer.

“She can’t answer you,” I remind Paige.

Her eyes tighten, and she smiles warmly at Nova. “I’ll be right back.”

Nova’s eyes are wide, and she drops to the floor to sit with her stuffed animals, her legs folded beneath her.

“May I have a word with you, alone?” Paige asks.

There’s a fire behind her gaze.

She’s going to bring trouble.

4

PAIGE

“May I have a word with you alone, sir?” I ask.

“Of course. Why don’t we step out into the hallway?” Moreno leads me out of the playroom, but we’re still in view of Luca and Nova.

His attention appears to be on them more than it is on me.

“If you’re hiring me to care for your daughter, then I expect you to listen to my expertise as a caregiver,” I say. I know I’m toeing the line. His stupid contract pointed out that he was in charge, and sure, he’s the boss, I get that, but I’m not okay with the way he handles his daughter.

I rattle on before he can interrupt me or toss me out the front door.

“You cannot talk to your child in such a manner. Yes, she may not speak, but she can still communicate, and you should be encouraging it in any form.”

“Excuse me?” Moreno scoffs. “You’re telling me how to raise my daughter?” He steps closer, coming into my personal space.

He forces me to take a step back. His attention is no longer on the children in the room, but entirely on me.

The heat of his stare sends a shiver down my spine.

“You think you know what’s best for Nova?” Moreno asks. “Because I can assure you that whatever you think you know, you’re mistaken.”

His nostrils flare, and I open my mouth but quickly shut it when Luca bursts out screaming at the top of his lungs.

Moreno tears into the playroom and pulls the gun from his holster on his hip.

I didn’t even know he had a gun on him. “You’re scaring him!” I scold Moreno and rush past him to check on Luca.

Nova’s eyes are wide and filled with terror, but she’s unmoving, and it seems the only danger is Moreno.

“Mommy!” Luca screams even louder than before. “I want mommy!”

I turn on my heel and point at Moreno. “You need to put that away and step out of here.” I gesture toward his gun.

I don’t like weapons. I never have. Being around them scares me, but it definitely seems like Luca wins the fear award right now.

Why the hell did Moreno draw his gun? What did he possibly think could have happened that required a weapon in the playroom?

The house is heavily guarded, with gates, guards, and a security system. It is a little overkill.

Moreno heads out of the playroom, and I’m back down on my hands and knees at Luca’s level.

“Hey, Luca, I’m Paige,” I say, trying to calm him down. “Do you want to show me your painting?” I don’t know what originally scared him, but bringing that up now seems a terrible idea.

Nova stands and joins Luca and me beside the canvas.

Luca sniffles and wipes his face with his paint-stained hands, leaving a streak of blue across his cheek.

“I was painting my house,” he says. His eyes are red and splotchy, but the tears have slowed.

I smile, genuinely pleased with his painting. “You did a fantastic job,” I say.

Nova glances up at me. A faint smile tugs at the corners of her lips. Almost like she’s trying not to smile. “Do you like to paint too?” I ask her.

She shrugs her shoulders, not giving me a clear answer.

I’ll bet she does like to paint.

“Sorry I’m late.” A woman wearing a bright yellow sundress steers into the playroom. “Luca, were you good for the new nanny?” the woman asks as she saunters right over to the little boy. “I’m Nikki,” she introduces.

“Hi, I’m Paige,” I say and hold out my hand to introduce myself properly. She seems warm, friendly, and completely out of place after meeting Moreno and Dante. “You must be Luca’s mom,” I guess.

Nikki smiles and nods. “That I am. Are you ready to hit the trails, Luca? Sorry, you got stuck watching this little tiger. I promise it won’t be a regular occurrence.”

“It was no problem at all,” I say. I don’t elaborate that I haven’t even been here an hour, and Dante had been watching him before I showed up.

“Let me know if you need anything, have any questions, or whatever,” Nikki says. “I’ve got a pretty packed schedule, but I’m happy to help when I have a free minute.”

“Thanks.”

Nikki escorts Luca out of the playroom. “Come on, Luca. Let’s get you washed up. You have paint on your cheek and in your hair. Then we’ll go hiking on the trails.”

“Okay, Mama.” He latches onto her hand and follows her out of the playroom.

It’s just Nova and me. I smile warmly and point at her tea party. “Can I play with you and your friends?”

My cell phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my purse to glance at the text message. It’s from Moreno.

I glance back at the empty doorframe. He’s nowhere in sight. Why didn’t he just come talk to me instead of texting me?