Semua Bab The Mafia's Nanny : Bab 241 - Bab 250

241Emilia’s POVI paced the living room, my phone clutched tightly in my hand as I stared at the screen. No new notifications. Again. This silent treatment from Matteo was deafening, and it wasn’t just the silence, it was what it meant. Every unanswered call and every ignored text felt like a slap to the face. It reminded me of how badly I’d messed things up.This wasn’t like him. Matteo didn’t hold grudges. He was the one who made jokes to diffuse tension, the one who hugged me when I didn’t even know I needed it. But now, he was the one shutting me out, and it was all my fault.“Are you going to keep pacing, or are you actually going to do something about it?” Alaric’s voice broke through my thoughts. He was lounging on the couch, a glass of bourbon in his hand, watching me like I was some sort of spectacle.“I am doing something,” I snapped, waving my phone at him. “I’ve called him at least twenty times, and I’ve sent texts—apologies, explanations—everything! He won’t respond.”Al

243Emilia’s POVI sat across from Alaric in the study, my palms damp against the smooth arms of the leather chair. His cold, calculating demeanor was as familiar as ever, but tonight, it only bothered me more than it really should. I’ve been rehearsing this conversation in my head for days, but now that I was here, all the confidence I had gathered up was gone.“I’ve been thinking,” I started, my voice quieter than I wanted it to. I cleared my throat and sat up straighter, trying to meet his sharp gaze. “About Alonso.”Alaric’s jaw tightened almost immediately, but his expression didn’t change. “What about him?” he asked, his voice low and steady, the warning clear.I swallowed hard, knowing this wasn’t going to be easy. I already knew the outcome of this conversation, but still I had to try. “I think we should try to talk to him. Maybe… mend things.”His laugh was short and humorless. It was a bitter sound that reminded me of the stone cold, bloody side of Alaric. I hated it. “Mend

245Alaric’s POVI’d spent the day running interference with business dealings, and now I was dealing with the far more personal issue of Alonso.The man who’d been a constant thorn in my side for as long as I could remember. And now, more than ever, his antics were threatening to ruin everything. I needed information—specific information—and Rosa was the one who had it. The problem was, getting it from her wasn’t going to be easy. It never was. And the man who was supposed to be getting the words out of her was slacking.“Allesio,” I called, breaking the silence as I turned my chair towards the door. I didn’t have to wait long before he entered. He didn’t have his usual smug smile on his face and I had a feeling he knew what I was about to ask. He was standing still as he looked af me.He was always cautious. Too cautious, sometimes. Maybe that’s why I kept him close even though he was slacking too much these days. Besides, if I didn’t keep him close, who would I keep close?“Boss,”

247Alaric’s POVThe moment Emilia walked my office with that innocent look she always had whenever she was about to request for something I wouldn’t like, I instantly knew what she wanted to talk about.Alonso.“We’ve been through this before Emilia. And my answer remains the same.” I said flatly, cutting her off before she could say anything at all. “No.”Her brows knit together, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You didn’t even hear me out.”“I don’t need to,” I said, pushing back from the table and standing. “Anything involving Alonso is a bad idea. The man’s a snake. End of discussion.”“Alaric, please,” Emilia said, following me as I paced toward the window. “He wants to meet for dinner. To talk. That’s all.”I turned sharply, facing her. “And you believe him? After everything he’s done?”Her gaze didn’t waver, her stubbornness shining through like it always did when she thought she was right. “I think it’s worth a try. If there’s even a chance we can stop all this fighting,

249Alaric’s POVThe moment Alonso let his smile fade, I knew the conversation was about to turn. His charm was thin, like the slick veneer on cheap furniture, cracking at the first sign of pressure. And I had no interest in giving him the satisfaction of thinking he could control the room.I knew he knew Emilia and I were engaged. Word travels fast in the mafia world. I was just waiting for when he’d mention it. But Emilia beat him to it.He swirled his glass of red wine, watching the liquid as though it held the secrets of the universe. “You know, Emilia,” he continued, his voice smooth as silk, “there are certain… expectations for someone in your position. Responsibilities.”I felt Emilia stiffen beside me, her back straightening as her fingers hovered near her glass. I knew that tone of his. The carefully crafted words designed to put her on edge.“Responsibilities?” she echoed, keeping her voice polite. Always the peacemaker. I wondered how she was able to keep up with the façade