Page 89 of Nanny's Baby for the Italian Mafia Boss

She isn’t there.

“Sophie?” I growl. “I won’t leave until I find you. You can hide, but I will find you. I’ll search every inch of these gardens.”

Yet, she doesn’t make a sound.

I love her, I do, but damn it, she is infuriating when she’s stubborn.

Now that I’ve introduced her as my fiancé to others, I want more. I’ve given Sophie too much space for her to accept that this thing between us is fake. It’s very real. The moment she walked in the door, I knew she was meant to be mine.

I hear small sobs coming from up ahead, so I slow my pace. My heart aches when I hear her sadness. Lifting my hand, I pull down another wayward branch, reminding myself to tell the gardener to trim the dead weight.

This path leads to a circular dead end, surrounded by weeping willow trees. In the middle of the stone pathway is a weeping angel fountain, the water trickling from the angel’s eyes. Such a perfect place to be when sadness overcomes the soul.

“Sophie?” I whisper her name, wanting to ease her out of the wreckage consuming her soul.

She sniffles. “Matias, I need a minute. I need… I need some space. Please, leave me alone.”

“No.” I state simply.

“No?” she whips around, stunning me to stillness with her bright blue eyes dripping with tears.

I nod, then shrug, tucking my hands in my pocket. “No,” I confirm with the same tone. “I won’t leave you alone. I’m done leaving you alone. I’m done giving you what you want. I’m done with you pushing me away. I’m done with you finding excuses to hide from us. I’m done with you not accepting the reality of what is right in front of you. I’m here.” I hit my chest with the palm of my hand. “I am not going anywhere. I am your family. You are mine. You are not alone anymore, so stop acting like you are. My daughter loves you. She called you mom—”

“—And I’m so sorry. I know we haven’t talked about what would happen if she said that. If you’re upset—”

“—Good god, Sophie. Have you heard anything I said? You’re driving me insane.” I step in front of her, cupping her face as I stare into her eyes. “Listen to me, you maddening woman.” I wipe her tears with my thumb, but she continues to cry. “I am not upset. Hearing Ella call you her mom was a dream come true. It is a fantasy I have longed for since the day you walked through my doors. I always want her to call you mom. I always want you as mine. You are my family too, Sophie. You and I both know you were never a nanny to Ella. You were always so much more.”

She leans into my touch, closing her eyes, and the sunlight gleams against the thick, wet lashes shadowing her cheeks.

“But what if it doesn’t last? What if we do not work? Ella will be devastated.”

“I would never bring you into my life as my own if I didn’t think this would work. You are mine, Sophie. When shit gets hard, you can’t run. You won’t be able to. I won’t allow it. You will be my wife. You’ll wear my ring. I’ll draw up a new contract, one that you won’t be able to refuse. I’ll make sure you’re protected because I know you,” I whisper. “You’ll need to feel safe, and you’ll need to be reassured that you could leave on your own pretenses, but I’ll make damn sure you won’t ever want to leave. I’ll give you everything, Sophie. Everything.” I press my forehead against hers, our hands locked and pressed to our chests. “I’ll protect you in all the ways. I’ll ease your mind and your pain. I’ll always avenge you. I’ll always kill for you. And I’ll always love you.”

She inhales, breaking the connection between us by leaning back. Her sharp blue eyes meet mine, and a happy smile graces her face. “You love me?”

“Is that not obvious? Have I not shown you how enthralled I am with you? If I haven’t, I need to love you better.”

She chuckles, wrapping a hand around the back of my neck. “I love you, too,” she whispers, pulling me in to kiss, but then, just as quick, she stops and pulls away.

She loves me.

That’s all that matters. I heard her say it. She can’t take it back now.

My heart bumps against my chest with happiness. There’s nothing she could say that would ruin it.

Silence passes. Seconds turn to minutes and curiosity gnaws at my stomach. “Did something happen between you and another man when you went out?” Asking the question has jumpstarted the urge to find the man who touched what was mine and kill him. Jealousy and possession take over, and I pull her closer. “Who was he?” I growl, my fingers gripping her shirt while I try to take calming breaths.

“What?” she rears back, looking at me incredulously. “No, Matias. Nothing like that. I would never,” she shakes her head, brows dipping. “I would never do that to you. I went out to make you jealous, but I wouldn’t haveeverdanced with another or went home with another man or slept with someone else—”

I press my finger against her lips to stop her rambling. I can’t help but laugh in relief. “You just saved a man’s life. I was ready to burn the city down.”

“You’d do that over a little touch?” she quips, a teasing pinch to her lips.

I grip her chin and stare into her eyes. “I’d do it over a simple look. Don’t underestimate how deep my feelings go for you.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows with nerves. She glances away, not wanting to look at me.

“What is it, Sophie? You can tell me. I won’t be upset.” As long as no one else touched her, everything will be fine.

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