Chapter 5 They tried to take Alessandro.

The mansion was unusually quiet the next morning, an oppressive silence hanging over it like a storm cloud. Emma couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She kept Alessandro close, her nerves on edge as she went about their usual routine.

Sofia had taken the day off, leaving Emma alone in the nursery with Alessandro. Elio had been called away, and though the guards were stationed throughout the house, their presence didn't comfort her.

The baby monitor crackled again, this time with static so loud that it startled her. She grabbed it, frowning as she adjusted the volume.

"Hello?" she said, knowing it was pointless.

The static stopped abruptly, replaced by silence.

Emma's stomach churned. Something wasn't right.

She decided to stay in the nursery, locking the door behind her. Alessandro played on the floor, blissfully unaware of the growing tension in the air. Emma paced, glancing out the window at the garden below. The guards were still patrolling, but their movements seemed hurried, almost frantic.

A sharp knock on the nursery door made her jump.

"Who is it?" she called out, her voice trembling.

"It's Marco," a familiar voice replied. Marco was one of Leo's more approachable guards, often stationed near the nursery.

Emma hesitated. "What's the password?"

There was a pause.

"I-"

Emma didn't wait for him to finish. She scooped Alessandro into her arms and backed away from the door.

"Marco always knows the password," she whispered to herself, her heart pounding.

The door handle jiggled violently, and then came the unmistakable sound of someone trying to force it open.

Emma's mind raced. She needed to get Alessandro out of here. She hurried to the adjoining bathroom, locking the door behind her, and placed Alessandro into the empty tub.

"Stay quiet, baby," she whispered, her voice shaking. She grabbed a towel and draped it over the tub, hoping it would help hide him if things went south.

The sound of the nursery door crashing open echoed through the bathroom.

Emma pressed herself against the wall, her breathing shallow. She could hear heavy footsteps and muffled voices.

"Find the kid," a man growled.

Terror surged through her, but she refused to let it paralyze her. She needed to think. She grabbed the first thing within reach-a bottle of baby powder-and held it tightly, knowing it wouldn't do much but refusing to go down without a fight.

The footsteps grew louder, and then the bathroom door rattled.

"She's in here," the man said.

The door burst open, and two men stepped inside. One was tall and lanky, with a scar running down his cheek. The other was stockier, his dark eyes cold and calculating.

Emma raised the bottle, her hands trembling.

"Stay back," she warned, her voice shaking.

The scarred man smirked. "Put that down, lady. You're not going to do anything with it."

Emma didn't hesitate. She threw the bottle as hard as she could, the powder exploding in a white cloud that filled the small bathroom. The men coughed and cursed, momentarily blinded.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Emma grabbed a ceramic soap dish from the sink and swung it at the stockier man, hitting him square in the head. He stumbled, and she shoved past him, grabbing Alessandro from the tub and bolting out of the bathroom.

Her heart pounded as she sprinted down the hallway, clutching Alessandro tightly. She could hear the men chasing after her, their shouts echoing through the mansion.

"Stop her!" one of them yelled.

Emma turned a corner and nearly ran into Elio, who had just returned.

"What the-Emma?" His eyes widened as he took in the sight of her tear-streaked face and Alessandro's frightened cries.

"They're after Alessandro!" she gasped.

Elio didn't need more information. He pulled his gun from its holster and turned toward the approaching footsteps.

"Go to Leo's office," he barked. "Now!"

Emma didn't argue. She ran as fast as she could, Alessandro clinging to her neck. The office was at the end of the hall, its heavy oak door slightly ajar. She burst inside and locked the door behind her.

Leo was already there, his expression dark as he stood behind his desk.

"What's going on?" he demanded.

"They tried to take Alessandro," Emma said, her voice breaking.

Leo's eyes flashed with fury. He strode toward her, gently taking Alessandro from her arms. The baby whimpered, his tiny hands reaching for Emma even as Leo held him close.

"You're safe now," Leo said, his voice low but steady. It wasn't clear if he was talking to Emma, Alessandro, or himself.

The sound of gunfire erupted somewhere in the mansion, and Emma flinched. Leo didn't.

"Elio will handle it," he said, his tone icy.

Emma sank into a chair, her whole body trembling. "What if he doesn't? What if they come back?"

"They won't," Leo said firmly. "Not after tonight."

He placed Alessandro in her arms and crouched in front of her, his intense gaze locking onto hers.

"You were brave," he said quietly. "Braver than most. But I'm not going to let this happen again. From now on, Alessandro doesn't leave my sight. And neither do you."

Emma's breath hitched. The protectiveness in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"It means you and Alessandro are moving to my wing of the house," he said. "You'll be safer there."

Emma wanted to argue, but the fear from earlier still gripped her. She nodded, holding Alessandro close as Leo stood and issued orders to the guards pouring into the office.

As the chaos of the night began to settle, one thing became clear: Emma's life had just become even more intertwined with Leo's dangerous world.