Babysitting The Ruthless Mafia's Son

Emma adjusted her scarf against the biting winter wind, her cheeks stinging as she trudged through the snow-covered streets of the city. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking her focus on the job boards she'd been scrolling through for hours.

"Emma," her best friend Kara's voice chirped, "I found something perfect for you!"

Emma rolled her eyes, stepping into a small café to escape the cold. "If it's another retail gig that barely pays, I'm not interested."

"Not retail. Babysitting. High-paying babysitting," Kara emphasized.

Emma snorted, blowing on her frozen fingers. "Let me guess. Someone's kid who's the devil reincarnated?"

"Actually, it's a baby. Eight months old. And the pay is...well, insane."

Emma's interest piqued despite herself. "Insane how?"

"Ten grand a month."

Emma nearly dropped her coffee. "What? Are you joking?"

"Nope. I found the ad on an exclusive job site. It's super secretive, though. They won't tell you who the employer is until you're selected."

Emma frowned. "That sounds sketchy."

"Look, you need the money, right? What's the worst that could happen?"

Emma hesitated. Her rent was overdue, her tuition was piling up, and her part-time café job wasn't cutting it. She sighed, giving in to her curiosity. "Fine. Send me the details."

---

The next day, Emma found herself in an upscale office building downtown. The waiting room smelled of leather and faint cologne, and the receptionist eyed her with a mix of amusement and disinterest.

"Miss Harper?" A deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

Emma turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man in a sharp black suit. His dark eyes scanned her briefly, making her shift uncomfortably.

"Yes?"

"Come with me."

The man led her into a lavish office with floor-to-ceiling windows and minimalist décor. Behind a massive mahogany desk sat a man who could only be described as intimidatingly handsome. Sharp cheekbones, piercing eyes, and an air of authority made her pulse quicken.

"You must be Emma Harper," he said, his voice smooth but cold.

"And you are?" Emma asked, trying to mask her nerves.

"Leonardo De Luca." His gaze pinned her in place. "You'll be caring for my son, Alessandro."

Emma blinked, the name ringing a bell. It hit her like a freight train. Leonardo De Luca. The De Luca. Mafia kingpin, ruthless leader, and one of the most feared men in the country.

"I-I think there's been a mistake," she stammered, inching toward the door.

"There's no mistake," Leo said calmly. "You were recommended. I trust my sources."

Emma's stomach churned. "Mr. De Luca, I'm not sure I'm qualified for-"

"Your qualifications are not in question," he interrupted. "What matters is that you follow my rules and keep Alessandro safe. In return, you'll be compensated generously."

Before Emma could respond, a soft gurgle filled the room. She turned to see a nanny wheeling in a bassinet. Inside was the tiniest baby she'd ever seen, with bright hazel eyes and a mop of dark curls. The baby cooed and reached out a chubby hand.

"That's Alessandro," Leo said, his voice softening just slightly.

Emma's heart clenched. Against her better judgment, she reached out and let the baby grab her finger. Alessandro giggled, a sound so pure it made her forget, for just a moment, where she was.

"I'll do it," she blurted before she could stop herself.

Leo's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. "Good. You start tomorrow."

Emma stood in front of the De Luca mansion the next morning, her breath fogging in the crisp winter air. The sprawling estate was intimidating-gated, surrounded by tall hedges, and guarded by men who didn't even try to hide their firearms. She clutched her bag tighter, wondering for the hundredth time if she'd made a terrible mistake.

The front door swung open before she could knock, and the same sharp-suited man from the day before gestured for her to enter.

"This way," he said curtly, leading her through a grand marble foyer that felt more like a museum than a home.

They stopped in a sunlit sitting room, where Leonardo De Luca waited, his presence as commanding as ever. He was dressed impeccably in a dark suit, leaning casually against the armrest of a sleek leather couch. In his arms, Alessandro babbled happily, oblivious to the tension radiating from the room.

Leo didn't waste time. "There are rules, Miss Harper. You will follow them without question."

Emma nodded, her throat dry.

He handed Alessandro to the nanny, who disappeared down a hallway. Then, fixing Emma with an unrelenting stare, he began.

"Rule one: Alessandro's safety is your top priority. You will never leave him unattended."

"Of course," Emma said quickly, her voice cracking.

"Rule two: You do not ask questions about my business or my associates." His tone darkened.

Emma swallowed hard. "Understood."

"Rule three: You stay out of rooms that are locked. Those are not your concern."

Her curiosity flared, but she nodded again.

"Rule four: If anything feels off-anything at all-you notify me or one of my men immediately. Is that clear?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Good." His eyes softened just a fraction. "Alessandro means everything to me. If you do your job, you'll have no issues here. Betray my trust..." He let the unspoken threat hang in the air, chilling her to the bone.

Before Emma could respond, Alessandro's cries echoed down the hall. Leo's cold exterior cracked slightly as he straightened, his jaw tightening. He nodded to Emma. "Go to him. Sofia will show you the nursery."

---

Sofia, the older woman who had wheeled Alessandro in the day before, led Emma to a nursery that looked like it belonged in a luxury magazine. Pale blue walls, plush carpets, and shelves lined with designer baby toys.

"There you go, little one," Sofia cooed as she placed Alessandro in a high-tech bouncer. "Emma will take good care of you."

Emma crouched down to Alessandro's level, offering a hesitant smile. "Hi, buddy."

Alessandro studied her for a moment, then giggled, reaching for her hair. She laughed despite herself, letting him tug gently at a strand.

"He likes you," Sofia observed with a smile.

Emma glanced up at her. "Has he had many nannies?"

Sofia's expression darkened slightly. "A few. But none stayed long."

"Why not?"

Sofia hesitated. "The De Luca household isn't... easy. But Alessandro is a sweet boy. Focus on him, and you'll be fine."

Emma wasn't sure what to make of that, but she pushed the thought aside as Alessandro began to fuss. She picked him up, marveling at how small he felt in her arms. He settled against her chest, his tiny hand gripping her sweater.

For the first time in days, Emma felt a flicker of calm.

Later that evening, as Emma rocked Alessandro to sleep, she heard low voices outside the nursery. Curiosity got the better of her, and she quietly cracked the door open.

Leo stood in the hallway, speaking with one of his men.

"They've made their move," the man said. "We intercepted the shipment."

Leo's jaw tightened. "Double security. No one gets near this house without clearance."

"Yes, boss."

Emma shut the door, her heart racing. It was a stark reminder of the world she'd stepped into-a world where even an innocent baby wasn't safe.

She looked down at Alessandro, now peacefully asleep in her arms. "Don't worry, little one," she whispered. "I've got you."

But as the shadows lengthened outside the mansion, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that she'd made a promise she might not be able to keep.

The next morning, Emma woke to the soft sounds of Alessandro babbling in his crib. The nursery was warm, bathed in the golden light of early dawn. For a brief moment, everything felt normal, almost peaceful.

She stretched and glanced at the baby monitor, noting the green light blinking steadily. It was her lifeline in this massive, guarded mansion, and she hadn't dared turn it off even once during the night.

"Good morning, little guy," she whispered, lifting Alessandro from his crib. He gurgled happily, his tiny hands reaching for her face.

Her phone buzzed on the changing table. She balanced Alessandro on her hip and swiped the screen. It was a text from Kara.

{ Kara: How's your new "mafia boss" boss? 😏 Still alive? }

Emma rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. She typed a quick reply.

{ Emma: Barely. The baby's cute, though. Makes it worth it. }

She hit send, but before she could set the phone down, a sharp knock at the door made her jump.

"Come in?"

The door opened, and Leo stepped inside, his expression unreadable. He looked impeccable as always, his tailored suit a stark contrast to her oversized sweater and leggings.

"Good morning," he said, his voice low but firm.

"Morning," Emma replied, trying to keep her tone steady.

Leo's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Alessandro, who squealed and reached for him. For a fleeting moment, Leo's hard exterior cracked, and he smiled-a real, genuine smile. He took Alessandro from her arms and cradled him effortlessly.

"I have to step out today," Leo said, his voice back to business. "You'll stay in the house. Security has been doubled, but you're not to leave the property under any circumstances."

Emma frowned. "Is something wrong?"

Leo's jaw tightened. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with. Just follow the rules."

Before she could press further, Alessandro tugged at his tie, earning a small chuckle. "Be good for Emma, little man." He kissed Alessandro's forehead, handed him back to her, and left without another word.

---

By midday, Emma was starting to feel the weight of Leo's warning. The house was eerily quiet, the silence broken only by Alessandro's occasional giggles. She tried to focus on him, playing with blocks and feeding him his lunch, but she couldn't shake the unease creeping up her spine.

Her unease turned to alarm when the baby monitor crackled to life. A faint noise-a door creaking open-came through the speaker.

Emma froze, her heart pounding. She glanced at Alessandro, who was contentedly gnawing on a teething ring, then back at the monitor.

The sound came again.

Someone was in the house.

She scooped Alessandro into her arms and pressed the panic button on the monitor, which Leo had insisted she keep within reach at all times. A high-pitched alarm blared through the mansion, and within seconds, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway.

The door burst open, and two armed guards rushed in.

"Stay here," one of them barked, his weapon drawn.

Emma clutched Alessandro tightly, her pulse racing as the guards disappeared down the hall. She could hear shouting, the sound of doors being slammed open, and then...silence.

Moments later, Leo appeared in the doorway, his expression thunderous.

"What happened?" he demanded.

"I-I don't know," Emma stammered. "I heard something on the monitor. Like a door opening."

Leo's gaze darkened. He turned to the guards. "Find out how they got in. Now."

The men nodded and hurried off.

Emma sank into the rocking chair, her legs trembling. "Is Alessandro okay?" Leo asked, his voice softer now.

She nodded, unable to speak.

Leo crouched in front of her, his intense eyes locking onto hers. "You did the right thing. The alarm likely scared them off. But this..." He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. "This shouldn't have happened."

"Who are they?" Emma asked before she could stop herself.

Leo's jaw tightened. "No one you need to worry about."

"Leo," she said, surprising herself by using his first name. "I can't protect Alessandro if I don't know what's going on."

For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, with a heavy sigh, he rose to his feet.

"They're after me, Emma. But they'll use anyone-anything-to hurt me. That includes my son."

His words sent a chill down her spine.

Leo's gaze softened slightly as he looked at her. "That's why I need you here. I need someone I can trust."

Emma swallowed hard, her grip on Alessandro tightening. "You can trust me."

"I hope so," Leo said, his voice laced with an emotion she couldn't quite place.

As he left the room, Emma looked down at Alessandro, who was now dozing peacefully in her arms.

"I'll keep you safe," she whispered. But deep down, she wondered if she'd made a promise she could keep.

That night, Emma barely slept. Every creak of the old mansion, every whisper of the wind against the windows, set her nerves on edge. Alessandro, blissfully unaware, slept soundly in his crib. She sat in the rocking chair beside him, the baby monitor in one hand and her phone in the other, texting Kara.

{ Emma: Something's going on here. Someone broke into the house today. }

{ Kara: WHAT?! Are you okay? }

{ Emma: I'm fine, but it's not just a "babysitting" job. There's danger everywhere. }

{ Kara: Emma, get out of there. No amount of money is worth this. }

Emma looked at Alessandro, who sighed in his sleep, his tiny hand clutching the edge of his blanket.

{ Emma: I can't. }

She locked her phone, tossed it onto the side table, and leaned back. The truth was, she couldn't leave. Not just because of the money, but because of Alessandro. Something about his innocent vulnerability called to her in a way she couldn't explain.

The next morning, Emma was feeding Alessandro in the kitchen when Leo entered, his presence filling the room. He wore a dark sweater instead of his usual suit, but the casual clothing did nothing to soften his commanding aura.

"How did you sleep?" he asked.

Emma glanced up, startled. "Fine," she lied.

His eyes narrowed slightly, as though he could see right through her. "I'm assigning you additional protection. You'll have someone with you whenever you're with Alessandro."

Emma frowned. "Is that really necessary? I don't think having a bodyguard hovering over us will make Alessandro feel safe."

"It's not up for debate," Leo said firmly.

She wanted to argue but held her tongue. Instead, she focused on Alessandro, who was happily smearing applesauce across his face.

Leo watched them for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You're good with him," he said quietly.

Emma looked up, surprised. "Thank you."

He hesitated, then added, "I don't trust easily, Emma. But you've done well so far. I need you to keep it that way."

Before she could respond, one of Leo's men entered the kitchen. "Boss, we need you in the study."

Leo's demeanor shifted instantly, the warmth vanishing from his face. He nodded and left without another word.

Later that afternoon, Emma took Alessandro for a walk in the sprawling garden behind the mansion. It was a crisp, sunny day, and the fresh air seemed to lighten her mood. She pushed his stroller along the stone path, pointing out the birds and flowers to him as he babbled in response.

Her moment of peace was interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned to see a tall man in a leather jacket, his sharp features softened by a friendly smile.

"You must be Emma," he said.

Emma tightened her grip on the stroller handle. "Who are you?"

"Elio," he said, holding up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Leo sent me. I'm your new shadow."

"Shadow?"

"Your bodyguard," he clarified.

Emma studied him for a moment, unsure whether to trust him. But he seemed harmless enough, and the fact that Leo had sent him was reassuring-at least slightly.

"Fine," she said, turning back to the stroller. "Just stay out of our way."

Elio chuckled. "I'll try."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the garden, Emma felt a strange unease creeping over her. She glanced back at Elio, who was scanning the area with sharp, practiced eyes.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Not yet," he said. "But stay close to the house. It's safer."

Emma nodded, her heart pounding as she hurried back toward the mansion. She couldn't shake the feeling that someone-or something-was watching them.

That night, after Alessandro was asleep, Emma sat in the living room with a cup of tea, trying to unwind. The house was quiet, but the silence felt oppressive.

Elio entered, his presence as casual as it was commanding. "You should rest," he said, sitting across from her.

"I'm fine," she replied, though her exhaustion was evident.

He leaned back, studying her. "You're tougher than I thought."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Most people wouldn't last a day in this house, knowing who Leo is and what he does."

"I'm not most people," she said firmly.

Elio smirked. "No, you're not. But don't let your guard down. Things are about to get dangerous."

Her stomach twisted at his words. "What do you mean?"

"Leo has enemies. A lot of them. And they'll stop at nothing to take him down-even if it means going through you."

Emma's grip on her teacup tightened. She thought of Alessandro, sleeping peacefully upstairs, and a surge of determination rose within her.

"Let them try," she said quietly.

Elio's smirk faded, replaced by something resembling respect. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Just be careful, Emma. This world isn't kind to people like you."