Killer Daddy

  Killer Daddy

  A Bad Boy Inc Story

  Eve Langlais

  Copyright © 2018, Eve Langlais

  Cover Art Razz Dazz Design © 2017

  Produced in Canada

  Published by Eve Langlais ~ www.EveLanglais.com

  eBook ISBN: 978 177 384 047 5

  Print ISBN: 978 177 384 048 2

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  This is a work of fiction and the characters, events and dialogue found within the story are of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is completely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying, file sharing, audio recording, email, photocopying, and printing without permission in writing from the author.

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Epilogue

  Introduction

  You want to know how you give a guy a heart attack? Leave a baby on his doorstep with a note saying: Congrats, you’re a daddy.

  Not that Declan believes it for a minute. However, until that paternity test proves him right, he’s in charge of changing diapers.

  Screw that. He’s hiring a nanny.

  A hot nanny.

  A woman who has no idea she’s tempting a killer.

  Just like those people trying to kidnap his baby have no idea he’s not a daddy you should mess with.

  But they’re about to learn.

  Chapter One

  “Going somewhere?”

  Stowing her luggage in the back of her minivan, Audrey held in a sigh at her nosy neighbor’s question.

  No, I’m lugging around a suitcase for the hell of it. Pasting a false smile on her lips, Audrey slammed the trunk shut and turned to the suburban snoop. “Business trip.”

  “Another one already?”

  As if Audrey’s trips were any of this woman’s business. The last one had been over a month ago and only lasted a few days. “Part of the job.”

  “Perhaps you should find a new job.”

  “This job pays my bills.” She couldn’t help the sharp retort.

  Disapproval pinched the neighbor’s features. “But the baby—”

  “Is fine.” Audrey cut her off before she could begin. Having been subjected to the preaching once before, she wasn’t in any mood to hear it again. “I’ve hired a nanny with impeccable references.” The agency she used only hired the best.

  “A child belongs with its parents. You shouldn’t be so greedy. Share her with her father.”

  Mrs. Crummb loved to give her unwarranted—and unwanted—opinion. Audrey knew of a place she could shove that opinion. She gritted her teeth. “As I’ve told you before, her father is not a part of her life.” Nor was Audrey’s life any of the woman’s business. “If you’ll excuse me, I do believe that is my nanny arriving.”

  Even if it weren’t, she needed to get away from Mrs. Crummb before she did something she’d regret.

  Without giving the neighbor any chance to reply, Audrey strode towards the car that slid to a stop at the curb. A four-door hatchback, red and generic. It lacked any kind of sign on the roof or decal on the door; however, in these days of Uber and Lyft, most taxi services went around anonymously.

  “Gnah.” The baby monitor clipped to Audrey’s waist crackled with a small wail of complaint. Harper was finally waking. The 3:00 a.m. screaming fit—a result of a stubborn tooth struggling to penetrate tough gums—had tuckered her out, and she’d slept past her usual wake-up time. However, Audrey didn’t have the luxury of sleeping in late like the baby. She had to get ready and leave shortly, or she’d miss her flight.

  Since the baby would be fine in her crib for a minute, Audrey strode down the driveway to meet the nanny. If indeed it were a nanny because the woman getting out of the car looked nothing at all like the one she’d hired.

  A frown wrinkled Audrey’s brow. “Can I help you?”

  The portly woman, her gray hair pinned in a tidy bun, possessed rounded features and crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes. Deep lines bracketed a mouth that didn’t smile.

  “You are Mrs. Marlowe, yes?” A strong eastern-European accent clipped the words.

  “I am she, but you’re not Mrs. Green.” Mrs. Green was a willowy woman in her late forties who’d been her assigned nanny on two previous trips. For Audrey’s day-to-day job, she used a local daycare.

  “Mrs. Green is sick. I replace her.” Spoken in an almost commanding bark.

  It didn’t help the pounding pain behind Audrey’s eyes. “The agency didn’t notify me of any changes.”

  “I get the call early this morning, and I go where they tell me.” The words were clipped and heavily accented. The woman hefted her suitcase, already deposited on the curb by the driver—a slim man with pockmarked skin and short, greasy hair. The car drove off, leaving Audrey with a stranger who, so far, wasn’t instilling much confidence.

  “What’s your name?” she asked. Because despite what the woman claimed, Audrey wasn’t about to just leave without doing some checking with the agency first.

  “I am Mrs. Nowicki.”

  “Where are you from?

  “Poland. Here on work visa.”

  “I’ll have to see some identification if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course.” The woman reached into her large purse and pulled out a battered wallet. Opening it, Audrey spotted several cards, including a Polish driver’s license apparent through the plastic window. The woman handed her a work visa.

  Audrey perused it and spotted nothing out of the ordinary. The full name on the document was Marja Nowicki. The date of birth matched the apparent age of the woman, as did the picture. The date of entry and expiry also seemed in order.

  She handed it back. “Looks okay, but I still want to call the agency to verify your credentials.” Because this last-minute change did not sit well with her at all.

  Mrs. Nowicki nodded. “Call. They verify.”

  Entering the house, Audrey was conscious of the woman lumbering behind her. It made the spot between her shoulder blades itch. The entrance was tight with stairs going immediately up to the second floor, while to her right was the living room. The two-story home was barely larger than a townhouse, but the price had been right when she bought it.

  The hallway led straight ahead to the kitchen. It fit the entire width of her place with enough room for a table for four with three actual seats and a high chair. The large island with the granite top had more room to sit, the three stools tucked under only rarely used. Audrey didn’t entertain often.

  Okay, she didn’t entertain at all.

  On the counter, she noted her phone, the screen lit up. She snared it and read the notifications. One missed call from the nanny agency, followed by a text message from them.

  It essentially repeated what Mrs. Nowicki had said. A sudden illness had taken Mrs. Gr
een, which meant a replacement. Still, she called the agency while the nanny looked on patiently. It was while she was talking to their switchboard operator that the monitor at her waist blared to life again. Harper finally decided that she was awake and let out a full-throated holler.

  Before Audrey could move, Mrs. Nowicki trundled off, exclaiming, “I get the baby.”

  Unpinning the monitor from her waistband, Audrey listened as the woman entered the baby’s room, crooning, “There’s the sweet misiu. No crying. Ciocia Marja is here.” Mrs. Nowicki then switched to Polish, her tone gentle.

  Harper cooed in reply. Audrey’s daughter loved being the center of attention. The fact that she took right away to the nanny soothed some of Audrey’s nerves, as did the woman she spoke to at the agency. Marja came with glowing reviews, but Audrey still asked for them to send the woman’s file over to her phone. She wanted to check it out in more detail.

  Her wristwatch beeped, the alarm on it warning that she needed to be on the road else she would get snared in traffic.

  Shoot. I am not ready to go yet. Having expected Mrs. Green, she’d not built in much time to show a new nanny around.

  Mrs. Nowicki descended from the second floor, Harper balanced on her hip. “You have beautiful daughter,” she declared, still not smiling.

  “She is a cutie pie. Aren’t you, baby girl?”

  Hearing her mother’s voice, Harper reached for Audrey. She grabbed her daughter and snuggled her close, breathing in the scent of warm baby. Mrs. Nowicki had done a quick diaper change before bringing her down, which raised her a notch in Audrey’s esteem.

  Her wristwatch beeped at her again.

  “You go,” the woman stated.

  Audrey chewed at her lower lip. “I can’t leave. I haven’t shown you around.”

  “No need for showing. Baby stuff easy to find. I call if need help.”

  The nanny had a point. There wasn’t much to show, and if she tarried any longer, she’d miss her flight. “The baby formula is on the counter, and there are freshly made pureed foods in the fridge. I’ve left instructions on her sleeping schedule, feeding schedule, as well as the playgroups she’s involved in on the activity board.” Pinned with a magnet that said Number One Mommy, which she’d bought for herself to give encouragement on the days when life overwhelmed.

  “I care for many babies,” boasted the nanny. “We be fine.”

  Once again, Audrey’s watch beeped. Last call if she wanted to speed her way to the airport. Still, she hesitated. “If you need anything, just give me a call. My flight is only three hours.”

  “No worry. Me and the misiu will be just fine.” The matron finally managed a smile.

  Audrey’s stomach tightened. She hated leaving Harper, especially with someone she’d just barely met. But the agency had reassured her that Mrs. Nowicki was a long-standing employee of theirs with rave reviews from parents. It was just mommy nerves, which was funny, considering this wasn’t the first time she’d left on a trip. Although this would be the longest. Her previous ones were never more than a few nights. This one could last up to a week. She blamed the panic on the amount of time she’d be gone mixed with guilt about leaving her daughter.

  But she didn’t have a choice. Without her job, she and Harper wouldn’t have this house, this life…anything. I have to do this. She was going to be late for her flight if she didn’t hustle.

  Audrey kissed her daughter one last time before handing her over, then grabbed her phone and purse, before heading out the door. The nanny followed with Harper and stood on the front step.

  The minivan pulled out on to the street, and Audrey did a quick sideways peek. The nanny waved, the baby on her hip.

  The knot in her stomach didn’t ease.

  Audrey pressed her lips tight. Harper will be fine. Audrey would do her job and be back in a few days.

  She made it to the corner when her phone beeped. Incoming email from the nanny agency with the file she’d requested. She ignored it. She’d read it once she got to the airport.

  Except she got caught at a stupidly long light on the way out of her neighborhood and thought, why not? She thumbed open the .pdf attachment. Stared at the picture inside.

  Checked the name above it.

  Then cursed.

  Audrey whipped the car around in a very illegal U-turn not giving a damn who honked at her. Speeding much faster than the posted limits, she raced back to her house, only to slow rather than barrel into the driveway. It wouldn’t do to startle or give warning. She parked in the neighbor’s driveway, knowing the tall hedges would hide the van from any glances out from her place.

  But she’d better move fast. It would not take long for her nosy neighbor to notice and come knocking.

  The middle console arm popped up, and she was treated to a packet of tissues, gum, and a stuffed bear, all tossed aside. Underneath, she pulled out the tray, the false bottom sticking only a little before giving. She grabbed the weapon she kept stashed inside.

  As she exited the van, she glanced up and down the street. She would feel stupid if she overreacted. It was possible the agency had attached the wrong picture to the file. Possible, but not likely.

  Gun in hand—and not easily explained if anyone saw her now—she eased up the steps and noticed the front door slightly ajar. Because of the damp spring, the wood had warped enough that it took a good yank to get it to shut. It being open meant she could quietly slip inside.

  Immediately, Audrey heard Mrs. Nowicki talking to someone in her heavily accented English. “It is safe for Klaus to return. She left. I have the child.”

  Like hell you do. No doubt anymore. This woman wasn’t here by accident.

  Slipping out of her shoes, Audrey eschewed the hallway and padded in stocking feet into the living room with its sound-muffling carpet. The baby was in here—safe. For a brief moment, she debated grabbing Harper and running. But what if she overreacted. Perhaps this was a misunderstanding. She couldn’t let paranoia control her.

  She passed by the playpen with her daughter sitting inside. Harper cooed and clapped her hands. Adorable, but she didn’t have time to play peek-a-boo. Audrey kept going, hugging the wall of the dining room, doing her best to sneak up behind the possibly fake nanny. Before she reached her, Mrs. Nowicki turned around and saw her. Her eyes widened in surprise.

  The imposter nanny played innocent. “Did you forget something?”

  “Who was that on the phone?” Audrey asked, the gun tucked behind her.

  “Just agency. I call to let them know I am here with the baby.”

  “Stop the lying. Who are you? What’s your real name?”

  “I show you visa.”

  “No, you showed me fake identification. The agency sent me the real Mrs. Nowicki’s file. So I’m going to ask you again. Who. Are. You?” For emphasis, the gun came into play, her aim steady.

  The gaze in front of her narrowed. “You no want to shoot me.”

  “Who sent you?” Audrey was no longer worried about missing her flight. Screw her trip. The situation unfolding in her kitchen was more important.

  The fake nanny’s gaze went to a place behind Audrey, and she barked something in Polish.

  Shit. They weren’t alone.

  Whirling, Audrey brought her gun to bear on an empty room. A ploy!

  Before she could whirl back, the portly woman slammed into her, her hand chopping down on Audrey’s wrist, causing her to lose her grip on the gun.

  It hit the floor with a clatter, and the heavier woman tried to wrap her thick arms around Audrey. Since that would probably be much like a hug from a bear—with rib-crushing consequences—Audrey dropped to the floor and spun her leg around, meaning to trip Nowicki. Only the woman danced out of reach, lighter on her feet than expected.

  Since she was already low, Audrey dove for the gun. She almost wrapped her fingers around it when Nowicki kicked it away.

  With the weapon out of reach, Audrey flipped her hair out of her face only to free
ze as she heard a click. Nowicki had pulled her own gun.

  Stupid. How stupid. Audrey had never even thought to frisk the woman. Then again, who would think to frisk a nanny?

  I should have. A few months ago, she would have. This suburban life had made her complacent.

  “Put your hands over your head.” The accent had disappeared.

  Audrey did as she was told. “Who are you? What do you want?”

  “I am here for the baby.”

  Words that made Audrey’s blood run cold. She didn’t have to fake the fear in her trembling voice. “Please, don’t hurt her.”

  “The child won’t come to harm, and neither will you so long as you cooperate.”

  Cooperate? Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen, but she faked compliance. “I’ll do anything you ask.” Audrey ducked her head and nodded, appearing the epitome of meek submission.

  Nowicki fell for it. “Hands behind your head. Stand up.”

  She laced her fingers behind her neck and pretended to struggle to stand, head still bowed.

  “Weak.” Fake Nowicki snorted. “I don’t know why they were so concerned.”

  “Who is they?” Audrey asked.

  “As if you don’t know.”

  Audrey could guess, and it didn’t bode well. Except for one thing. Her enemy wouldn’t want her dead. Not by someone else’s hand, which might keep her safe for a bit.

  The barrel of Nowicki’s gun drooped as she dug out her phone and used one hand to dial.

  Audrey bided her time. Listening as a male voice answered, the buzz low in timbre, too low to make out words. All she had was the matron’s one-sided conversation.

  “The baby is fine. But the mother returned.”