Chapter 4 Make them regret ever crossing me.

The next morning began quietly enough. Emma fed Alessandro his breakfast and played peekaboo with him while Sofia bustled around the kitchen. Elio lingered nearby, leaning against the counter with a casual air that didn't fool her. He was always watching.

The peace shattered when Leo stormed into the kitchen, his expression thunderous. His dark eyes locked onto Elio.

"We need to talk. Now."

Elio straightened, his joking demeanor gone. "Got it."

Leo glanced at Emma, his gaze briefly softening when it landed on Alessandro. "Stay in the nursery today. Keep the doors locked."

"Why? What's going on?" Emma asked, her stomach twisting.

"Just do as I say." His tone left no room for argument.

Without another word, he and Elio disappeared into the hallway.

Hours later, Emma was pacing the nursery. Alessandro napped peacefully in his crib, but the unease simmering in her chest wouldn't let her rest.

The baby monitor crackled again, just like before. This time, there were voices-low and tense, but clear enough for her to make out.

"...boss isn't going to like this."

"He'll deal with it. We don't have a choice."

Emma's heart raced. She glanced at Alessandro, then at the door. Against her better judgment, she grabbed the monitor and crept out of the nursery.

The voices grew louder as she approached the study. She pressed herself against the wall, straining to hear.

"You're telling me they have a mole inside the house?" Leo's voice was sharp, laced with anger.

"We don't know for sure," Elio replied. "But the timing is too convenient. They knew when to strike, and they knew where to look."

A heavy silence followed, broken only by the sound of something being slammed onto the desk.

"Find them," Leo growled. "And when you do, make them regret ever crossing me."

Emma's breath caught in her throat. She knew she shouldn't be here, shouldn't be listening, but the weight of their conversation rooted her in place.

"Leo," Elio said, his tone cautious. "You need to keep Emma and the kid out of this."

"Do you think I don't know that?" Leo snapped. "That's why I hired her. Alessandro needs someone who doesn't belong to this world."

"And what about you?" Elio asked. "How long do you think you can keep her out of it?"

Before Leo could respond, the door creaked open, and Emma froze.

"Miss Harper."

She turned slowly to find one of Leo's guards staring at her, his expression unreadable.

"You shouldn't be here."

"I-I got lost," Emma lied, clutching the monitor behind her back.

The guard didn't look convinced but nodded toward the hallway. "Back to the nursery."

Emma hurried away, her heart hammering in her chest.

That evening, Leo found her in the nursery, sitting on the floor with Alessandro. The baby was giggling, clutching a stuffed lion in his chubby hands.

"You disobeyed me," Leo said, his voice low and dangerous.

Emma stiffened but didn't look up. "I wasn't trying to cause trouble. I just-"

"You just what? Thought you'd eavesdrop on a conversation that could get you killed?"

His words stung, but Emma forced herself to meet his gaze. "If I'm supposed to protect Alessandro, I need to know what's going on."

Leo's jaw tightened. He stepped closer, his imposing figure casting a shadow over her. "This isn't a game, Emma. The less you know, the safer you are."

"But I'm not safe, am I?" she shot back. "Not when someone in this house is feeding information to your enemies. Not when you won't tell me what to look out for."

For a moment, she thought he might explode, but then his shoulders sagged, and he ran a hand through his hair.

"You're right," he admitted quietly. "You're not safe. None of us are."

Emma's breath hitched at the vulnerability in his voice.

"But I promise you this," he continued, his eyes locking onto hers. "I will keep you and Alessandro safe. No matter what it takes."

His words hung in the air, heavy with an unspoken resolve.

Emma nodded, her heart pounding. "Then let me help."

Leo studied her for a long moment before finally nodding. "Fine. But if you're going to stay, you follow my rules. No more sneaking around. And no more lies."

"Deal," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.

Leo lingered for a moment, his gaze softening as he looked at Alessandro, now dozing in her lap. Then he turned and left, his presence leaving the room colder in his absence.

Emma leaned back against the crib, her mind racing. She had stepped into Leo's world, and there was no turning back now.