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2024-11-09 16:23:05Emilia’s POV
I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, relief washing over me even as a new wave of anxiety took its place. I’d just agreed to work for a man who practically oozed power, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
“Good,” I said, trying to sound confident. “When do I start?”
“Immediately,” he replied, his voice as decisive as ever. “Francesca is waiting for you.”
The suddenness of it left me stunned. “Now?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do you have a pressing engagement?”
I shot him a look, and he merely smirked, clearly unfazed by my reaction. “Fine,” I muttered. “But this doesn’t mean I’m at your beck and call.”
A flicker of amusement crossed his face. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Somehow, I didn’t believe him.
With a sigh, I turned around, feeling his gaze follow me as I moved. I turned back to look at him, my heart racing despite my best efforts to stay calm.
“One more thing,” I said. “I’ll be honest with Francesca. I won’t lie to her or make promises I can’t keep.”
He inclined his head. “Fair enough. But you’ll protect her, put her well-being above everything.”
I nodded. “I can do that.”
With a final nod, he pressed a button on his desk, and Allesio reappeared, standing at attention.
“Take her to Francesca,” Alaric ordered. “She starts now.”
Without another word, Allesio led me back through the hallways. I kept my face composed, but my mind was racing. I had no idea what to expect, or how I was going to explain this to Francesca. A nanny. How had I ended up here?
When we reached Francesca’s room, Allesio opened the door and gestured for me to enter. I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and stepped inside.
Francesca looked up from her toys, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. “Mommy!”
The way she called me, with such joy, it caught me off guard. She ran toward me, and I knelt down to catch her, feeling her tiny arms wrap around my neck.
“Are you staying?” she asked, her voice hopeful.
I glanced back at Allesio, who stood by the door, arms crossed, watching us with an inscrutable expression. The warmth radiating from Francesca’s embrace stirred something in my chest, making it hard to remember that I had been brought here against my will.
“Yes,” I said, pulling back to look into her bright eyes. “I’m going to be here for you, Francesca.”
Her smile widened, and my heart melted a little. “Yay! Can we play now?”
“Absolutely,” I replied, feeling a mixture of warmth and apprehension. Allesio stepped out of the room and I got lost in Francesca’s world.
The door swung open again, and Alaric stepped inside, his presence commanding as he surveyed the scene before him. I stiffened slightly, instinctively aware of his aura.
“Francesca, how are you doing?” he asked, his tone warm, almost fatherly, as he glanced between us.
“I’m showing Emilia my drawings!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with pride.
Alaric’s gaze flicked to me, and I felt his scrutiny. “I see that.”
“Dad, look!” Francesca hopped off her stool and ran to show him her artwork.
Alaric knelt down, genuinely interested as he examined the drawings. A smile crept onto his lips, and I felt a strange sense of relief that he appreciated his daughter’s creativity.
“That’s amazing, sweetheart,” he said, and I watched as Francesca beamed under his praise.
As they shared this moment, I felt a pang of realization hit me. This was a man who could be both terrifying and loving. There was a duality in him that left me unsettled.
“Emilia,” he said suddenly, pulling my attention back to him. “Can you stay a little longer? I have some matters to discuss regarding your new role.”
My stomach dropped at the thought of facing him alone, but I forced myself to nod. “Of course.”
Alaric motioned for me to follow him, and I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever conversation he wanted. Francesca watched us, her curiosity piqued, but I hoped she would stay occupied with her drawings.
As we stepped back into the office, Alaric leaned against the desk, arms crossed as he regarded me. “I trust everything is going well so far?”
I nodded, trying to keep my voice steady. “Yes, Francesca is wonderful. She’s so creative and sweet.”
“Good. I want to make sure she feels safe and comfortable with you,” he replied, his tone serious.
“Of course. That’s my priority,” I assured him.
He studied me for a moment, his eyes calculating. “I know this is a lot to take in. But I need you to understand something: I’m not just looking for a nanny. I need someone who can protect her, who can be there for her. My world isn’t easy, and I want you to know the gravity of this role.”
His words sent a chill down my spine, reminding me how stupid I was to agree to this.
“What do you do?” I asked quietly, although I already had an inclination.
“I think you already know,” he replied just as quietly as I did.
I gulped. He was in the mafia. And with the looks of it, he was most likely a don. “I understand,” I replied, my voice steady. “I’ll do my best to ensure Francesca feels safe.”
He nodded, a flicker of approval crossing his features. “And if you ever feel overwhelmed or unsure, I expect you to communicate that. I don’t want you to feel trapped.”
A strange sense of relief washed over me. “Thank you. That’s important.”
Alaric stepped closer, his gaze intense. “You’re in this with me now, Emilia. I expect commitment. And in return, I will provide for you and your brother.”
My heart raced, my shoulders slumping. “I understand the stakes,” I said quietly.
He studied me for a long moment before finally stepping back, allowing a hint of a smile. “Good. Then let’s make this work.”
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The Mafia's Nanny 285
286Emilia’s POVI didn’t speak to him.Not when we left Alonso’s house. Not in the car. Not when we got home.I walked straight past him, up the stairs, and into our bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me. I wasn’t even sure why I was so angry. Maybe it was the betrayal. Maybe it was the exhaustion. Maybe it was the fact that every time I thought I finally knew everything about the man I loved, another secret came crawling out of the dark.I paced the room, my thoughts tangled in knots.Francesca.Not his daughter. Not biologically, at least.Dominic’s.And I had saved her. Me. Three years ago, without even realizing it.A knock sounded at the door. “Emilia.”I ignored him.The handle turned, and he stepped inside cautiously, as if he thought I might throw something at his head. A tempting idea.“Emilia, please.” His voice was quiet, tired. “Can we talk?”I folded my arms. “Oh, now you want to talk?”His jaw tensed. “I always wanted to tell you.”“Then why didn’t you?” I shot back
The Mafia's Nanny 285
285Alaric’s POVI was going to kill Emilia.Slowly. Painfully. And with great satisfaction.“You’re overreacting,” she said, not even looking at me as she fixed her earrings in the mirror.I let out a humorless laugh, crossing my arms. “You’re dragging me to have dinner with Alonso. That’s not overreacting. That’s a death wish.”Emilia sighed, finally turning to face me. “He agreed to the wedding, didn’t he?”I scowled. “Begrudgingly. There’s a difference.”She gave me a pointed look. “Alaric, he’s trying. And if you don’t at least pretend to try too, I swear to God—”I held up a hand. “Yeah, yeah. You’ll cut me out of your life, blah blah.” I let my head fall back. “Jesus. You’re really enjoying making me suffer, aren’t you?”Emilia smirked. “You have no idea.”I regretted everything the second we stepped into Alonso’s house.He barely spared me a glance as he gestured for us to sit at the long dining table, his expression set in that usual unreadable scowl of his. The man had two m
The Mafia's Nanny 284
284Emilia’s POVI exhaled, slow and steady, forcing my heartbeat to settle. My hands were still curled into fists at my sides, but the sharp edges of my anger had dulled, leaving me very exhausted.Alonso had gone quiet. Alaric, too.They were both thinking of the ultimatum, I was sure of it.I wasn’t going to repeat myself. I had laid it all out—either they figured out a way to tolerate each other, or they lost me. I meant every word.I wrapped my arms around my stomach, my body still thrumming from the adrenaline. My child’s future was at stake. I refused to let them grow up trapped between two men who refused to let go of the past.Finally, Alonso inhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. “So that’s it? You’re threatening to cut me out of your life unless I… what? Accept this marriage? Accept him?” His voice was rough, tinged with something I couldn’t quite place.I held his gaze, unwavering. “Yes.”Alonso let out a bitter, humorless laugh. “You expect me to suddenly be okay
The Mafia's Nanny 283
283Emilia’s POV“Well,” I said, exhaling slowly, “at least now the marriage can finally go through without worrying about all this hatred between you and Alaric.” I looked at Alonso, expecting—no, hoping—for some sign that he agreed. That this war, this endless, exhausting war, has really ended.But he just sat there, stiff as a statue, arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable.Then he said, “I still don’t support this marriage.”I blinked. Laughed, even. Because surely, after everything, he was joking.“You’re serious?” I asked, the laughter dying in my throat.I thought we were finally past this.For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to breathe, to believe that maybe I could live normally without worrying that they hated each other.But apparently, I had been a little too optimistic.“You’re joking,” I said flatly, staring at my father. “Tell me you’re joking.”Alonso met my gaze, unmoved. “I’m not.”I blinked. “You just spent hours unraveling
The Mafia's Nanny 282
282Emilia’s POV The drive to Alonso’s house was tense. Alaric sat beside me, silent and brooding, his fingers tapping against his thigh. I knew he didn’t want to be here. He thought this was pointless. But I didn’t care.We needed answers. All the puzzle pieces were scattered, and I was tired of trying to put them together blindly.When we arrived, Alonso was already waiting for us outside, arms crossed, expression unreadable.“This is unexpected,” he said, glancing between us. “What’s going on?”I didn’t waste time. “We need to talk. Inside.”He studied me for a moment, then nodded, stepping aside to let us in.Alaric followed reluctantly, his entire body radiating frustration. He had made it clear that he didn’t trust Alonso, even after everything. And honestly, I couldn’t blame him. Their history was drenched in too much blood.We sat in the living room, the tension a little bit too thick between us. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees.“We know Jonas was the one who
The Mafia's Nanny 281
281Emilia’s POV I was done.Done pleading.Done begging.Done trying to make two grown men see reason when all they cared about was their pride and revenge.They weren’t listening.They refused to listen.So I was going to make them.I took a slow, deep breath, my hands trembling as I slid them into my coat pocket. My fingers curled around the cool, hard metal of the small gun I always carried, the one Alaric had given me for protection.Funny.Right now, I needed protection from them.I pulled it out in one swift motion, flicking the safety off and pressing the barrel against my own temple.Alaric froze.Alonso’s eyes went wide.The entire room went deathly silent.“If you don’t stop,” I said, my voice steady, “I will.”Alaric’s gun lowered immediately, his face twisting in sheer panic. “Emilia—put the gun down.”Alonso took a sharp step forward. “This isn’t funny. Give it to me.”I didn’t move.Didn’t blink.Didn’t waver.I let them see it.I wasn’t bluffing, not this time.“You’r
The Mafia's Nanny 280
280Emilia’s POV I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. I just ran.My heart pounded in my chest as I shoved open the door to Alonso’s house, my breath coming in short, panicked bursts. I barely registered the grand hallway, the expensive furniture, the tension in the air thick enough to choke me.All I saw was them.Alaric.Alonso.Standing in the middle of the room, guns raised, pure hatred burning in their eyes.And then—Alonso’s finger twitched on the trigger.“NO!” I screamed, my voice cracking as I threw myself between them.It was instinct, reckless and stupid, but I didn’t care. I didn’t even think about it, I just moved. My arms spread wide, my body the only thing standing between them.“Are you both insane?” I shouted, my voice shaking.Alaric’s eyes snapped to me, wild with rage and something else something darker.“Get out of the way, Emilia,” he said, his voice low, deadly.“No,” I shot back. “You get out of the way.”His jaw clenched. “This isn’t your fight.”“The hell it
The Mafia's Nanny 279
279Alaric’s POVAlonso leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms out like we were having a casual conversation instead of a standoff. His gun was still within reach, but he hadn’t gone for it. Neither had I.Not yet.“You’re awfully quiet,” he noted. “Did I hit a nerve?”I scoffed, keeping my gun trained on him. “You haven’t said anything worth responding to.”He smirked. “Maybe I should.”I narrowed my eyes, watching him closely. His demeanor had shifted slightly—not cocky, not smug. Something else. Something that made my instincts sharpen.Alonso exhaled slowly, tapping his fingers against the table. “You think you know everything about why our families hate each other. But you don’t, Alaric.”I let out a humorless laugh. “You killed my brother. That’s all I need to know.”He shook his head. “That was an accident.”I stiffened. “Bullshit.”His eyes darkened. “You think I wanted Dominic dead? You think I went out that night planning for this to happen?”I said nothing, but my gr
The Mafia's Nanny 278
278Alaric’s POVThe night was still, the kind of stillness that came before a storm. The kind that made your gut twist in anticipation, like the world itself was holding its breath. I barely noticed.All I could feel was the fire burning inside me.I gripped the gun in my hand, my fingers tightening around the cold metal as I stepped out of the car. I stood in the front of Alonso’s mansion, watching as his guards moved around relaxed without suspecting anything at all.Good.He wouldn’t see me coming.My footsteps were steady as I moved up the driveway, my mind sharp, focused. Every part of me was locked in, my rage simmering just beneath the surface. The guards at the front barely had time to react before I took them down quick, clean, quiet.I didn’t come here for them.I came for him.The door to his house wasn’t locked. Arrogant bastard.I pushed it open without hesitation, stepping inside. The place was dark, but I knew he was here.I could feel him.A few more steps, and then—
