SWNOVELS Nanny for the Don: Chapter 15
Twenty minutes later, we’re standing in the pregnancy test aisle at CVS, and Kendall’s going through every single box like she’s studying for an exam.
“Wow, they’re all digital now,” she says, flipping a box over to read the back.
I’m standing behind her, feeling totally disconnected from my body, like this isn’t really happening.
Kendall notices, of course. She’s been my rock since I blurted everything out back at the coffee shop. She comes over and puts a hand on my shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “It’s gonna be okay, Will. No matter what, we’ve got this.”
I nod, but I can barely find my voice to respond. My mind’s spinning, a thousand thoughts racing through it, none of them sticking long enough to make any sense.
Kendall finally picks out a test she’s confident about. “This one looks good,” she says, then zips over to the freezer section like she’s on a mission. She comes back with a pint of Cherry Garcia, our go-to whenever shit hits the fan. “Figured we could use this too.”
Her hands full, she leads us to the register, her arm around my shoulders the whole way. I’m barely able to utter a word, but I’m grateful she’s here. I don’t know what I’d do without her right now.
My insides are in full-on panic mode. I check my phone—still got a couple of hours before I need to get back. Plenty of time to figure out if my whole life is about to change.
“Let’s head over to my place,” Kendall says, already steering us in that direction. “We can take the test there, assuming my roommates aren’t hogging the bathroom.”
We reach her building—a three-story walk-up that’s seen better days—and I’m silently grateful none of her roommates are around. The place is small and kind of cramped, the typical Brooklyn apartment, and it hits me how lucky I am to be able to stay at Nico’s spacious townhouse.
Kendall leads me straight to the bathroom, where we both just stand there for a second, staring at the pregnancy test box like it’s some kind of alien artifact. Finally, she rips it open and holds up the test, her eyes meeting mine with a reassuring smile. “Alright, Will—do your thing.”
I take the test from her, my hands shaking slightly. This is it. No turning back now.
Kendall gives me a reassuring squeeze on the arm before stepping back. “I’ll give you some privacy. Gonna get the ice cream ready. Remember, whatever happens, you’ve got this.”
I manage a small smile. “Thanks.”
Then I thank her, appreciating how she’s holding it together when I feel like I’m about to fall apart. I follow the directions and hold my breath for what feels like the whole two-minute wait. The timer on my phone goes off and I look down.
Positive.
I’m pregnant.
Holy. Freaking. Shit.
I stand there for a moment, staring at the word like it’s written in a language I don’t understand. Then, in a daze, I walk out of the bathroom, clutching the test in my hand. Kendall’s in the kitchen, scooping the Cherry Garcia into two bowls. She looks up as I come in, concern flashing in her eyes.
“What does it say?” she asks, her voice gentle.
All I can do is nod, my throat too tight to speak.
Kendall’s eyes widen, and she’s by my side in an instant, pulling me into a hug. “Oh, Will.”
And just like that, the reality of it all starts to sink in. The tears come out of nowhere, and before I can even say a word, I’m full-on ugly crying. Kendall guides me to the couch with that no-nonsense, big-sis energy she’s so good at. She opens Spotify on her phone with a few quick swipes, connecting to her speaker system, the strains of Lullaby by Lorde drifting out.
She wraps her arms around me as we sit, letting me cry it out. After a few minutes, she asks softly, “What’s going on in that head of yours? Are you crying because you’re happy, or sad, or… what?”
I wipe my eyes, trying to pull myself together. “I don’t know,” I admit, taking a deep breath. Kendall hands me some tissues, and I blow my nose, feeling a little more like myself. “I think I’m happy. But I’m also scared.”
“Scared about being pregnant?” she asks, concern written all over her face.
I hesitate, knowing I’ve got to spill the truth now.. “Not just that. I didn’t tell you who the father is. Who I’ve been hooking up with.”
She raises an eyebrow, immediately jumping to the worst conclusion. “Please don’t tell me it’s some random from Hinge or something.”
I shake my head, but the truth is just as heavy. “No. It’s my boss.”
Kendall’s jaw drops, and for a moment, she’s completely speechless. I can see the wheels turning in her head, trying to process what I just dropped on her. This was not what she expected to hear. She blinks hard, shaking her head like she’s trying to clear it. “You’re serious? You’ve been screwing your boss?”
More tears well up in my eyes, and I sniffle. “Well, when you put it like that, it sounds so slutty.”
Kendall’s expression softens instantly. “No, no, that’s not what I meant. I just—wow, Will. This is a lot.” She pauses, curiosity lighting up her face. “So, this guy… he’s rich, right?”
I nod, wiping my eyes. “Yeah.”
“That’s good,” Kendall says, nodding like she’s trying to find a silver lining. “Not that I’m a gold digger or anything, but, you know, at least he can take care of expenses and stuff.”
“Or,” I counter, “just cut me a check and send me on my way.”
Kendall’s eyes widen, and she’s suddenly full of even more questions. “Wait, you were a virgin, right? Holy shit, that means you got pregnant by the first guy you slept with?”
I can’t help but give a little laugh through the tears. “I know, right? Only me.”
Kendall sighs, pulling me in for another hug. “Okay, we’re going to figure this out. No matter what happens, we’ll handle it. You’re not alone in this, okay?” Then her eyes light up with curiosity. “Okay, spill. I need deets on this guy.”
I roll my eyes and smile. “Well, he’s older—like, definitely not in our age range. He’s kind of a dick sometimes, but he’s also sweet when he wants to be. And he really loves his little girls.”
Kendall’s expression softens. “A good dad? That’s a great sign, Will. Shows he’s got a heart.” She grins, leaning in a little closer. “But l what about the sex?”
I gasp, playfully scandalized. “Kendall! Oh my God, you’re such a perv.”
She laughs, shrugging. “I’m just curious! Sorry, not sorry.”
I purse my lips, trying to find the right words. “Well, he’s very in control, you know? Like, he knows exactly what he’s doing. And honestly? He practically worships my body. I mean, it’s intense.”
Kendall raises an eyebrow. “That sounds kinda hot.”
I sigh, feeling the weight of it all. “Yeah, it is, but he’s made it super clear that we’re just a physical thing—nothing more serious. He’s got these walls up, like, sky-high.”
Kendall glances down at my belly, her grin fading slightly. “Well, whether he likes it or not, things just got pretty freaking serious.”
“Yeah, no kidding.”
Without missing a beat, she whips out her laptop, flipping it open with a determined look. “Alright, what’s this guy’s full name?”
“Nico Conti.”
She starts typing and a few moments later, she pauses, her eyes narrowing at the screen. “Uh, Will… did you know he might be connected to the, uh, Conti Crime Family? As in, the Mob?”
I swallow hard, feeling my heart skip a beat. “Yeah, I did my research too. But he’s never talked about it directly.”
Kendall keeps scrolling, her expression serious. “Hold up. There’s something else here. Looks like there was an article about the death of an Alessandro Conti. It says Nico’s his son.”
I blink, feeling a chill run down my spine. ““What does it say happened?”
“Looks like it was a Mob hit. Will, this is some serious stuff.”
My stomach twists, the reality of everything sinking deeper than before.
Kendall keeps reading, her eyes scanning the screen with laser focus. “It says it was a suspected Mob hit at some restaurant in Astoria. Classic setup—broad daylight, no witnesses willing to talk. This is wild, Will.”
With every word she reads, my nerves ratchet up another notch. My heart’s pounding so hard I can barely hear anything else.
Kendall continues, “And get this—there’s talk about Nico possibly taking over the entire Conti operation after his father’s death. Some rumors even suggest he might’ve been the one to order the hit.”
“No way,” I blurt out, shaking my head in disbelief. “There’s no way Nico’s the type of guy who’d kill his own father.” But as the words leave my mouth, I ask myself how well I really know this man.
Kendall gives me a serious look. “Will, this is huge. Like, world-altering huge. A guy like this…” She trails off, the implication hanging heavy between us.
I don’t even know how to respond. My mind’s spinning, trying to reconcile the man who’s been so sweet and protective of his girls with the one I’m reading about in these articles. How could someone be both? And what the hell am I supposed to do now?
Kendall snaps her laptop shut, letting out a long breath. “Well, damn. This whole thing’s taken more twists and turns than an episode of Love Is Blind. And I’m starting to get really worried that you’re going to get wrapped up in all of this Mob nonsense.”
I try to calm myself down, taking a deep breath. “Yeah, but Nico’s good about keeping his family and his business separate. He doesn’t mix that stuff. I’ve never seen him bring it home.”
“It’s great that he keeps his little girls out of it, but we both know it’s impossible to say what might happen down the line. I mean, look at what happened to his dad.”
I know she’s right, and the thought just sits heavy in my chest. I can’t predict what’s coming, but it’s clear this situation is more than just a casual fling gone complicated.
Kendall softens her tone. “Look, take this one day at a time, okay? But keep in the back of your head that you need to be ready for anything.” Then, as if flipping a switch, she grins and stands up. “But you know what? We still gotta celebrate! You’re going to be a mom! That’s huge!”
She hops up and grabs the bowls of Cherry Garcia, bringing them over with a little wiggle in her step. We sit back down, and Kendall holds up her bowl. “To whatever the hell comes next!”
I can’t help but laugh, clinking my bowl against hers.
“To whatever the hell comes next.”