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2024-12-08 12:20:42
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The Mafia's Nanny 44
44Alaric’s POV The room was dimly lit, casting shadows over the faces of the gathered men, but that was intentional. I wanted the tension thick, the stakes apparent to everyone seated around the long, polished table. The neutral meeting location, an old mansion off the beaten path, was chosen to ensure no one could claim an advantage of home turf. Guiseppe sat near the head of the table, his expression stormy as he scanned the faces of everyone gathered. Key allies lined the sides, watching in uneasy silence as we prepared to lay bare the betrayal that had snaked its way into our circle.I caught Ferraro’s gaze briefly as I walked in, noting the way he held himself. Confident, almost smug—he didn’t know yet. The traitorous family sat closest to the door, as if they had someplace to be. Good. I wanted them thinking about exits because, by the end of this meeting, they wouldn’t have many left.“Gentlemen,” I said, taking my seat across from Guiseppe, who gave me a nod of acknowledgmen
Last Updated : 2024-12-08The Mafia's Nanny 45
45Emilia’s POV The mall was busy for a weekday morning, but I had promised myself a little bit of shopping. I needed a distraction—something to clear my head and make me feel a tad bit normal. I’d finally received my first paycheck as Francesca’s nanny, and while it wasn’t a lot, it was mine. I felt a strange sense of pride as I held the crisp bills in my wallet, like I had achieved something tangible on my own.I pushed open the glass doors of the mall and stepped inside, the cool blast of air conditioning a welcome relief from the heat outside. It felt good to be out here, on my own, away from the constant watchful eyes in Alaric’s mansion. I loved Francesca, but there was something freeing about moving through a crowd anonymously, blending in with the regular people going about their everyday lives.I headed straight for the clothing section of my favorite store, losing myself among racks of jeans and dresses. It had been a while since I’d shopped for myself without feeling guilt
Last Updated : 2024-12-09The Mafia's Nanny 46
46Alaric’s POV I leaned back in my chair, staring at the sea of spreadsheets on my laptop screen, barely paying attention as Allesio rattled off a list of last-minute details for the event. In theory, this charity gathering should be simple: a few speeches, a good meal, a little wine, and a lot of handshaking. But when you mix mafia families into the equation, even a simple charity event becomes a delicate balancing act.The irony wasn’t lost on me. Here we were, a room full of criminals, putting on our best smiles for the sake of charity. It wasn’t all smoke and mirrors, though. Despite our reputations, the money raised tonight would go straight to St. Catherine’s Orphanage, a place that had done good work for decades. I’d seen those kids before—lost, scared, desperate for a chance. Giving them that chance was something I could live with, a way to clean a bit of the blood off my hands, even if only symbolically.“Alaric?” Allesio’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Did you hear me?”
Last Updated : 2024-12-09The Mafia's Nanny 47
47Emilia’s POV I had gotten used to sorting through the endless parade of correspondence addressed to Alaric and his associates—party invitations, business proposals, invoices from expensive vendors. Since everyone was busy with Alaric’s party preparations, I had decided to do it today again.I sat in the living room, sorting all of them out. Most of them were glossy pamphlets and bills.There was a plain white envelope I was about to toss to another side but paused, turning the envelope around. There was no return address, just my name written on the front in thin, spidery handwriting.My name. Not Alaric’s. Not Francesca’s. Mine.I should’ve ignored it. I should’ve set it aside with the rest of the envelopes for the staff to sort through. But something made me pause. Maybe it was the way my name looked, spelled out in ink, as if the writer knew me, had thought carefully about what they were going to say.I took the letter and slipped it into the back pocket of my jeans, telling my
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Mafia's Nanny 48
48Alaric’s POV The morning started quietly enough, but it didn’t last. It never does. I should have known better than to hope for a quiet day in this world of mine.My phone buzzed, the vibration sharp against the mahogany. I glanced at the screen and saw Allesio’s name flashing on it.“Tell me it’s good news,” I answered, leaning back in my chair. I could hear the noise of the city in the background on his end—traffic, honking, people shouting.“Not quite,” Allesio replied, his voice tight. “We’ve got a problem. A new group stirring things up in the city.”The words hit like a punch to the gut. Problems were nothing new—we were always dealing with something—but a new group? That was different. Unpredictable. I sat up, the tension coiling in my chest like a live wire.“Who are they?” I demanded. “Which family?”“That’s the thing,” Allesio said. “The details are vague. Nobody knows who they are, but they’re making moves—pushing into our territory, hitting a few of our smaller busines
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Mafia's Nanny 49
49Emilia’s POVIt was the small things I noticed first. The subtle changes that whispered something was different, even if I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Extra men loitering by the gates, the usual staff looking a bit tenser than usual, and Allesio’s perpetual scowl seeming even deeper. Maybe it was nothing—Alaric always had a rotating roster of security, and after a while, you start to lose track of the familiar faces. But this felt different. It felt like there was a deeper reason behind the tighter security.I tried to brush it off. What did I know about Alaric’s business anyway? Maybe it was just a precaution, another one of his endless, layered defenses. Still, when I glanced out the window and caught sight of two new guards standing like statues at the end of the driveway, I couldn’t ignore the gnawing feeling in my gut. I turned away, focusing on the task at hand: preparing Francesca for the charity event happening later today.It was supposed to be a simple gathering,
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Mafia's Nanny 50
50Alaric’s POV I was shrugging off my shirt when Allesio walked into my room, his face calm but tired. “Emilia is in the study, she wants to talk.”“About what?” I asked, narrowing my eyes as I put my shirt back on and buttoned it.“I don’t know. She wouldn’t say,” he murmured with a shrug before walking out of the room, not caring if I had anything else to say. I decided to let that go. He was tired. Everyone was tired, even me. And I was supposed to be resting right now but since Emilia wanted to talk…I walked out of the room and headed straight to the study.The moment I walked into the study, I could tell something was off with Emilia. She was standing by the window, wringing her hands together. She always did that whenever she was worried. I’d seen it a few times before, but this was different—she looked almost sick with worry, like she’d been grappling with something for hours. My first instinct was to ask her what was wrong, but I held back, waiting for her to speak.I close
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Mafia's Nanny 51
51Emilia’s POV My chest felt heavy, like I couldn’t get a proper breath. I made my way to the sitting room, feeling like a stranger in this mansion that had started to feel like home. Now it felt foreign and hostile, like the walls themselves were whispering accusations.How could I have been so careless?I sank onto one of the sofas, burying my face in my hands. The letter had been a threat, a direct one, against Francesca. And I had kept it from Alaric. I’d convinced myself I was doing the right thing, protecting his little girl from unnecessary fear. But now, after our conversation, I realized I’d only made things worse.I leaned back against the sofa, staring up at the ceiling. The ornate molding blurred as tears filled my eyes. I’d been so sure of myself, so sure that I could handle this without needing to drag Alaric into it. I had underestimated the situation, and now the guilt was eating away at me.What if something had happened to Francesca? The thought sent a shiver down
Last Updated : 2024-12-11
Latest chapter
The Mafia's Nanny 208
208Emilia’s POVThe package sat on the dining table, wrapped in elegant gold paper and tied with a satin bow. Francesca bounced on her toes, her small frame radiating excitement.“Can I open it now, Emilia? Please?”I hesitated, glancing at the doorway where I knew Alaric would appear any moment. My stomach twisted at the thought of his reaction. This wasn’t just any gift—it was from Alonso.“Go ahead, sweetheart,” I said softly, smoothing down her curls. Francesca’s joy was infectious, and I couldn’t bear to ruin it for her.Her tiny fingers worked quickly to tear the paper, revealing a sleek black box. She opened it with a gasp, pulling out a beautiful, hand-carved wooden horse. The craftsmanship was impeccable, every detail perfect, from the delicate reins to the smooth finish of the wood.“It’s so pretty!” Francesca exclaimed, holding it up for me to see. “Look, Emilia! It’s like the ponies in my storybook!”I forced a smile, though my chest felt tight. “It’s beautiful, love. Do
The Mafia's Nanny 207
207Emilia’s POVAlaric paced the living room like a caged tiger, his hand raking through his hair as he muttered under his breath. I sat on the couch, my arms folded, trying to keep my own emotions in check. This had become a familiar scene since I’d returned from seeing Alonso, the air between us heavy with tension neither of us seemed willing—or able—to break.Finally, he stopped and turned to face me, his dark eyes blazing. “I don’t understand how you can even consider letting that man into your life after everything he’s done.”I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “It’s not about letting him in, Alaric. It’s about understanding where I came from, about finding some kind of peace with it.”“Peace?” he repeated, his voice sharp. “You think you’re going to find peace with a man like Alonso? He’s a manipulator, Emilia. He’ll say whatever he thinks you want to hear to worm his way into your good graces.”I stood, my frustration bubbling over. “Do you think I don’t know that? Do you t
The Mafia's Nanny 206
206Emilia’s POVI was seated across from Alonso in the dimly lit study of his villa, the journal clutched tightly in my hands. It felt strange to be here again, to look into the eyes of a man who had caused me so much pain and confusion, yet who claimed to have loved my birth mother more than life itself. He looked different today—not the powerful, untouchable mafia king, but a man weighed down by his own ghosts.“I found this,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt as I placed the journal on the polished wooden table between us. “It was my mother’s.”Alonso’s face softened, his gaze dropping to the worn leather cover. He didn’t reach for it. Instead, he leaned back, his expression shadowed with something I couldn’t quite name. Guilt? Pain? Regret?“She kept it hidden,” I continued. “But it paints a picture I’m not sure I can reconcile. She loved you, Alonso. That much is clear. But she was also afraid of you, afraid of what this life would do to her—and to me.”His shoulders sagged,
The Mafia's Nanny 205
205Emilia’s POVI sat at the edge of the couch, clutching my mother’s journal like it was my lifeline. It had this emotional weight to it that I hated, pressing against my chest like a phantom ache and making me feel suffocated. Alaric paced the room, his sharp movements punctuated by the occasional clenched fist. I’d just finished reading him the most damning entries, and the fire in his eyes made me question whether I should’ve shared them at all.“She loved him,” I said quietly, breaking the tense silence. “That much is clear. But she was scared, too. Scared of what his world meant for her—and for me.”Alaric stopped mid-step, turning to face me. His jaw tightened, and his eyes were colder than I’d seen them in a long time. “She was scared because Alonso dragged her into hell. He promised her safety, and instead, he handed her over to a life she couldn’t escape.”His words cut deep, and not because they were wrong. The journal painted a picture of a man who loved my mother but cou
The Mafia's Nanny 204
204Emilia’s POVThe late afternoon sunlight filtered through the wide windows of the library, casting golden patterns across the polished wood floor. My fingers brushed against the spine of an ancient leather-bound journal, its surface cracked and worn with time. I had found it tucked away in a small wooden chest Alonso had left in the room I was temporarily staying in—a chest I wasn’t supposed to open but couldn’t resist. I hadn’t even remembered about it until now.The name Inscribed on the cover made my breath catch. Isabella. My mother.I hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. I had spent weeks trying to piece together who she really was, struggling to separate the idyllic image I had as a child from the fragmented truth Alonso had given me. And now, here in my hands, was her voice—her thoughts, her fears, her love—all bound in a fragile relic of the past.My heart pounded as I flipped open the cover. The pages were filled with a delicate script, the ink faded b
The Mafia's Nanny 203
203Alaric’s POVThe meeting room was quiet except for the low hum of voices as my men debated logistics. Allesio stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed, the tension in his posture mirroring my own. I sat back in my chair, listening but not speaking, my fingers steepled as I processed the information.“They’ve been hitting our distribution routes near the docks,” Allesio said, his tone clipped. “Two shipments delayed this week alone. It’s not coincidence, Alaric.”My jaw tightened. “And you’re sure it’s the Santoros?”Allesio nodded. “As sure as I can be. The timing, the method—it fits their MO. They’re small-time, but they’re not stupid. They see the tension with Alonso and think it’s their chance to play kingmaker.”“Idiots,” I muttered, leaning forward. “They won’t survive stepping into this war.”“We could let them,” Allesio suggested. “Let them hit Alonso’s operations, stir up trouble on his end. It might even work in our favor.”“No,” I snapped, the finality in my voic
The Mafia's Nanny 202
202Alaric’s POVThe house was quiet, too quiet, as I sat in my office with a glass of whiskey that I hadn’t touched in over an hour. The amber liquid caught the dim light of the desk lamp, swirling lazily as if mocking my restless mind. Emilia was in the next room, probably pacing, possibly crying, but definitely not telling me everything she was thinking. That was the problem with her. She’d shoulder a world of burdens without letting anyone else carry even a fraction of the weight.And it was killing me.I heard the soft creak of the door opening, and when I looked up, there she was. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her face weary, but there was something very dull in her expression. She didn’t wait for me to invite her in—she rarely did these days. Instead, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts.“Are you going to stand there all night?” I asked, my voice rougher than I intended.She crossed the room and sat in the chair ac
The Mafia's Nanny 201
201Emilia’s POVThe house was unusually quiet when I stepped through the front door, the familiar scent of leather and polished wood greeting me like an old friend. My body ached from the stress of the day, and my mind was still reeling from everything Alonso had said. But as my gaze swept the empty entryway, I felt a pang of longing—for the comfort of this home, for Francesca’s sweet voice, and, yes, even for Alaric’s brooding presence.I hadn’t even taken a step toward the living room when I heard the unmistakable sound of Francesca’s laughter floating down the hallway. It was light and unburdened, and it felt like a balm on my frayed nerves.I followed it, my footsteps soft against the tiled floor, and found them in the sunroom. Francesca was perched on Alaric’s lap, her tiny hands clutching one of his much larger ones as she giggled at something he’d said. Alaric, for his part, looked almost relaxed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.The sight made my heart twist
The Mafia's Nanny 200
200Emilia’s POVThe air inside the car felt heavy and suffocating as though the stupidity of my decision pressed down on every passenger. The convoy surrounding us—a caravan of SUVs loaded with Alaric’s men—only heightened my anxiety. Outside the tinted windows, the world passed by in muted colors, but my focus was on the knot in my stomach that tightened with every passing second.“I still think this is a mistake,” Alaric’s voice crackled through the small earpiece I wore, his tone as sharp as the blade he always carried.“I know,” I replied quietly, glancing at the driver, who kept his eyes locked on the road. “But I need to do this.”He sighed audibly. “We’ll be right outside. If anything feels wrong, anything at all—”“I know,” I interrupted. “You’ll storm the place. Just… trust me, Alaric.”The line went quiet, but I could sense his frustration. He hated this, hated the idea of me walking into Alonso’s villa even with his men stationed at every entrance and exit. Still, he’d agr
