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2025-02-02 12:13:08
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The Mafia's Nanny 164
164Matteo’s POVI’d just sunk into my chair after back-to-back meetings when Gianna’s voice sliced through the air, sharp and commanding.“Matteo, in my office. Now.”No preamble, no softening. Just an order. I frowned, wondering what the hell she wanted that couldn’t wait. God. I almost cursed as I sat up straight.The room went quiet as heads turned toward me. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at the spectacle and instead stood, smoothing my tie as I made my way to her door.Gianna was already behind her desk when I walked in, her focus razor-sharp on the documents scattered across the polished wood. She didn’t look up immediately, but I could see the way her shoulders were stiff and I could have sworn there was an electric charge in the air.“Close the door,” she said curtly, still not meeting my gaze.I complied, folding my arms as I leaned against the frame. “What’s the emergency?”She finally looked up, her eyes blazing with equal parts determination and frustration. “There’s a
Last Updated : 2025-02-02The Mafia's Nanny 165
165Matteo’s POVI wasn’t sure why she’d said yes to dinner this time.We’d been circling each other for weeks now, an unspoken tension and awareness building every time we were in the same room. When I’d asked if she wanted to grab a drink after work, I half-expected her to shut me down, sharp and decisive, like she always did when things got too personal.But this time, she surprised me. She had hesitated for a moment before nodding, her eyes guarded.Now, we were sitting in the corner of a dimly lit bar, far enough from the rest of the after-work crowd that it felt like our own little world. Gianna nursed her glass of red wine, her fingers tracing the rim absently, while I sipped a whiskey neat, watching her.She was quiet tonight. Not the composed, commanding quiet she carried at work, but a softer kind—almost vulnerable.“You’re not regretting this already, are you?” I asked, breaking the silence.Her lips twitched, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Not yet. But give it
Last Updated : 2025-02-03The Mafia's Nanny 166
166Gianna’s POVI thought space would help. I really really thought it would.When I noticed Matteo was keeping his distance again, I told myself it was what I needed. Time to clear my head, to focus on work, to push aside the ridiculous feelings that had been creeping in no matter how much I fought them. It was easier to breathe when he wasn’t hovering nearby, his presence a constant reminder of everything I wasn’t ready to deal with.But space didn’t help.Instead, it felt like something vital had been ripped away.I didn’t notice it right away. The first day, I told myself it was a relief when he didn’t come by my office with his usual wry remarks about my overpacked schedule. The second day, I convinced myself it was just coincidence that he hadn’t found a reason to stop by my desk.By the end of the week, I couldn’t deny it anymore. Matteo was pulling back.And I hated it.It wasn’t obvious, not to anyone else. He was still professional, still efficient, still the Matteo who cou
Last Updated : 2025-02-03The Mafia's Nanny 167
167Gianna’s POVI wasn’t sure when the shift began—when Matteo’s steady presence stopped feeling like a burden I had to bear and started to feel like something I relied on. But as I sat in my office, staring at the flowers someone had sent over after a successful deal, the thought hit me like a punch to the chest.He’d been patient. Too patient, if I were honest.I pushed back my chair and stood, pacing the length of the office. The blooms on my desk taunted me, bright and celebratory. They were from a client, a token of gratitude for all the work I’d done to close a deal. But the truth was, Matteo had done just as much.More, maybe. Truth be told, he was the one who closed the deal. I was just the figurehead.A knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, straightening my blazer as though that would help.Matteo stepped inside, a folder in his hand. His sleeves were rolled up, and his tie was just slightly askew, the kind of imperfection that felt deliberate.“B
Last Updated : 2025-02-04The Mafia's Nanny 168
168Gianna’s POVWorkplace events were always a mix of formal pleasantries and carefully managed chaos. I wasn’t a fan, but as the CEO, my presence was expected—necessary even. Tonight was no different. The annual awards gala was in full swing, and the ballroom buzzed with polite laughter, the clinking of glasses, and a low hum of music.I stood near the bar, a glass of champagne in my hand, scanning the room. My employees were mingling, laughing, and probably discussing things they thought I wouldn’t approve of. It was fine. They’d earned it anyways. If I was still working with them, I’d be doing the same.“Enjoying yourself?”The voice came from behind me, and I didn’t need to turn around to know it was Matteo. His voice always carried a certain calm confidence, like he belonged wherever he chose to stand. I rolled my eyes but smiled still. I was really getting comfortable with him appearing wherever I was these days.“Is anyone ever really enjoying themselves at these things?” I re
Last Updated : 2025-02-04The Mafia's Nanny 169
169 Gianna’s POV The noise of my heels echoed softly in the quiet hallway outside my office. It was late, past the time any sane person would still be at work, but here I was, clutching a folder like it was some kind of shield against what I was about to do. It was obvious I wasn’t a sane person, or I’d be at home right now, sleeping like I should. Good lord. It wasn’t like I wasn’t exhausted.I stopped in front of Matteo’s office door, staring at it like it might suddenly grow teeth and bite me. The soft glow of light seeped through the crack under the door, proof that he was still inside. Of course he was. Matteo was nothing if not relentless when it came to his work—or, as I was beginning to admit, when it came to me.I raised my hand to knock but hesitated. What was I even going to say? How did you casually admit to someone that they’d somehow taken up residence in your thoughts, dismantling all your carefully built defenses without permission?How do I admit to him that sometim
Last Updated : 2025-02-05The Mafia's Nanny 170
170Emilia’s POVThe early morning sunlight streamed through the bedroom windows, giving the room a beautiful golden hue. I blinked awake slowly, my eyes adjusting to the light, and for a moment, I forgot where I was. Then I turned my head and saw him. Alaric was still asleep, his face relaxed and peaceful in a way I didn’t often see.His hand rested just inches away from mine on the rumpled sheets, and I couldn’t resist the small smile tugging at my lips. I shifted slightly, trying not to disturb him, but the movement must have been enough because his eyes fluttered open.“Good morning,” he said, his voice husky and still thick with sleep.“Morning,” I replied softly, suddenly aware of how close we were.This felt different. Easier. There wasn’t the usual tension or hesitance that seemed to hover around us after nights like this. Now, lying here beside him, it felt natural, as though we belonged in this quiet moment.He propped himself up on one elbow, his gaze lingering on me like h
Last Updated : 2025-02-05The Mafia's Nanny 171
171Emilia’s POVThe soft crunch of gravel beneath our shoes seemed to be the only sound as we strolled through the quiet park. It was one of those rare, clear nights where the stars seemed to spill endlessly across the sky, their light reflecting in the calm water of the small lake nearby. Alaric walked beside me, his hands tucked casually into his pockets, his posture relaxed in a way I wasn’t used to seeing.He wasn’t barking orders or strategizing with his men. There was no tension in his jaw, no furrow in his brow. Tonight, he wasn’t the commanding, calculating man I’d come to know. He was just Alaric.The realization made me smile softly to myself, though I quickly glanced away when he caught me looking at him.“What’s so amusing?” he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.“Nothing,” I said quickly, though I could feel the heat creeping up my neck.He raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a smirk. “You’re a terrible liar.”I laughed despite myself, shaking my head. “Fine. I
Last Updated : 2025-02-06
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The Mafia's Nanny 184
184Emilia’s POVThe villa was unnervingly quiet as I cracked the door open and peered into the hallway. The steady hum of distant conversation and the occasional shuffle of feet were the only indicators that the guards were still in position. My heart pounded in my chest, every thud echoing in my ears as if trying to betray me.I had spent the past few days carefully observing the guards’ movements, piecing together their patrol schedule and noting the blind spots in the villa’s security. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. If I didn’t take this chance tonight, I might never get another. Alonso had softened slightly toward me, but his determination to keep me under his watch was unwavering.Barefoot, I stepped into the hall, the cold marble floor sending a chill up my spine. My dress, loose and plain, clung to me as I crouched low and moved toward the staircase. The grand chandelier above cast sprawling enough brightness in some parts of the room, and I pressed myself into the dark
The Mafia's Nanny 183
183Emilia’s POVAlonso sat across from me in the small study, a room filled with old, leather-bound books and the lingering scent of cigars. The air was tense, but there was something different about his demeanor tonight—less authoritative, more… human. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, hands clasped as if searching for the right words.“I owe you an explanation,” he began, his voice uncharacteristically soft.I crossed my arms, not ready to let my guard down. “You owe me more than that.”His lips pressed into a thin line, but he nodded. “You’re right. I’ve kept too much from you, and I see now that it was a mistake. But I need you to understand… everything I’ve done has been to protect you.”“Protect me from what?” I asked, my tone sharper than I intended. “From Alaric? From the world? From yourself?”He didn’t flinch at my accusation, which somehow irritated me more. “From the same people that took your mother from me,” he said quietly.The room fell silent, the w
The Mafia's Nanny 182
18Emilia’s POVThe door to my room swung open, and Alonso stepped in, his presence as commanding as ever. I stood near the window, arms crossed, glaring at him. My heart hammered in my chest, but I refused to let him see how much he intimidated me.“Alessandra,” he started, his tone too calm for my liking, “we need to talk.”“Oh, now we need to talk?” I snapped, spinning to face him fully. “You’ve kept me locked up like a prisoner for days, and suddenly you’re interested in having a conversation?”His jaw tightened, but he didn’t raise his voice. “I’m protecting you. This is for your own safety.”I scoffed, the sound bitter even to my own ears. “Safety? You call this safety? Trapping me here, refusing to let me leave, keeping me in the dark about everything?” I took a step closer, my voice rising with every word. “You’re no better than the men who kidnapped me!”The flash of anger in his eyes was immediate, but he masked it quickly, folding his arms across his chest. “That’s a dangero
The Mafia's Nanny 181
181Alaric’s POVThe office was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of the monitors and the occasional shuffle of papers as Allesio sorted through reports. I stood by the window, staring out at the dark city. Its usual pulse of life felt muted tonight, like it was holding its breath alongside me.Emilia was out there. Alone. Possibly hurt.My grip on the glass of whiskey in my hand tightened until my knuckles went white. I hadn’t slept more than three days—not since she was taken. Every lead had been a dead end, every second wasted felt like an eternity, and every beat of my heart reminded me of what was missing.Her.“Alaric.” Allesio’s voice broke through my thoughts. He stood near the door, holding a stack of papers. His face was drawn, the lines of stress deepening. “We might have something.”I turned, placing the glass on the desk. “What is it?”He hesitated, a telltale sign that whatever he had to say wasn’t good. “Our men tracked a vehicle matching the kidnappers’ description.
The Mafia's Nanny 180
180Emilia’s POVThe heavy, ornate doors of Alonso Cruz’s villa loomed ahead as I marched toward them, every step fueled by a mix of defiance and desperation. My chest heaved, not from exertion, but from the rage simmering beneath my skin. Alonso’s words still rang in my ears: “You’re not going anywhere, Emilia. This is your home now.” Home? The absurdity of it made me want to scream.I wasn’t staying here.“Open the door!” I yelled, my voice reverberating through the marble hall. Two guards exchanged a look but didn’t budge.“Let me out!” My fists pounded against the wood, the sound echoing like a gavel in a courtroom. The verdict was clear: I was trapped.When it became apparent they weren’t going to comply, I turned, pacing like a caged animal. My thoughts spiraled. How could I have let this happen? One moment, I was enduring hell in a dank hideout, and the next, Alonso Cruz was calling me his daughter and dragging me into a gilded prison.My real father.A bitter laugh bubbled up,
The Mafia's Nanny 179
179Emilia’s POVThe maid, Rosetta, moved around the room like a ghost, her steps light and deliberate. She set down a tray on the table near the bed—a steaming bowl of soup, a glass of water, and a neatly folded napkin. I stayed perched on the edge of the armchair by the window, as far from her and the bed as I could manage without leaving the room entirely.“You should eat something,” she said gently, her voice thick with an accent I couldn’t place.“I’m not hungry,” I muttered, keeping my arms crossed over my chest.She hesitated, her dark eyes flicking to me with a mixture of pity and concern. “You’ve been through a lot, signorina. It will help.”I didn’t respond, staring out at the sprawling villa grounds instead. Perfectly trimmed hedges, a fountain bubbling softly in the center of the courtyard, and beyond that, a stone wall that loomed like a fortress. It was beautiful in a way that made my skin crawl.The maid left without another word, and the silence in the room settled ove
The Mafia's Nanny 178
178Emilia’s POVThe world around me felt like it had dissolved into static. My body moved because Alonso’s men pulled me forward, their grips firm but not cruel. I stumbled over my own feet, too stunned to resist, too dazed to speak.The blood-streaked room was now behind us, but its horrors stayed lodged in my mind: the gunshots, the bodies, Alonso’s fury. And then there was the name. Alessandra. My name. According to him.“This way,” one of the men grunted, guiding me toward a sleek black SUV parked just outside the warehouse.I yanked my arm out of his grasp, finding a shred of my voice through the haze of confusion and fear. “Don’t touch me!”He raised his hands in surrender, glancing at Alonso, who stood a few feet away, watching me. “It’s for your safety,” the man muttered, stepping back.“Safety?” I snapped, my voice trembling. “You just killed three people in front of me. How the hell is this safe?”Alonso approached then, his expression unreadable. His tailored suit, still i
The Mafia's Nanny 177
177Emilia’s POVThe stench of the room was suffocating—sweat, alcohol, and something metallic that I couldn’t quite place. My head hung low, my body too weak to sit upright for long. Days had passed—how many, I didn’t know—and the ache in my bones felt permanent now. I’d been left alone most of the time, which, as degrading as this situation was, had become a small mercy.Until tonight.The sound of boots scraping against the concrete floor reached my ears before the door groaned open. I flinched involuntarily, my hands curling into weak fists as three of them entered the room. I recognized them immediately: the smug one with the crooked nose and greasy hair, the one who had smacked me in the van, and a wiry man who always seemed to watch me a little too closely.“Look at her,” Crooked Nose said, his tone laced with mockery. “She’s barely got any fight left.”“Bet she squeals just the same,” the wiry one replied, his words making bile rise in my throat.“Shut up,” I hissed, though my
The Mafia's Nanny 175
176Emilia’s POVThe room was dark, and the air reeked of mildew and stale sweat. My entire body ached, and every movement sent sharp stabs of pain rippling through me. My cheek still throbbed where that bastard had hit me, and the coppery taste of blood lingered on my tongue. I didn’t dare try to stand; the last time I did, I’d nearly passed out from the dizziness.Instead, I stayed curled up in the corner, my knees pulled to my chest, trying to make myself as small as possible. The dirty concrete floor was unforgiving, but at least it was cool against my feverish skin.Voices filtered in from outside the room, low and muffled. I strained to hear, desperate for any scrap of information that might make sense of this nightmare.“Alonso won’t like this.”The name cut through the haze of my exhaustion. Alonso. Cruz. The don of their syndicate. The one who has had scores to settle with the Castillo family for as long as he could breathe. The one who Alaric hated more than anything else. T
