Page 67 of The Bratva Bosses' Nanny

The sound of the kitchen door swinging open draws my attention. Emma re-enters the living room, her expression apologetic. “Sorry about that,” she says, her voice hinting at a mix of annoyance and concern, typical when dealing with unexpected or slightly troubling calls.

She heads towards her bedroom without further explanation. Her steps are quick, suggesting she might need a few minutes alone after the call.

I follow Emma into her room, feeling like something’s off. Wrapping my arms around her from behind, I plant a gentle kiss on her neck. “Everything okay?” I ask, keeping my voice low and concerned.

She leans into me, letting out a small sigh. “Zoe said Kate’s doing good. Moved to Chicago, opened her own Madden’s salon.”

Her voice has a sad tinge to it. “You should be happy about that. Why the long face?” I ask, trying to understand.

Turning to face me, Emma’s eyes are a mix of sadness and confusion. “I miss her, you know. And I’m not sure I can trust her again.”

I look at her, trying to offer some comfort. “Hey, we’ve seen worse stuff in the Bratva. You’ll get through this. And you can visit her anytime, you know.”

Her eyes brighten a bit. “Really?”

“Yeah, of course,” I say firmly. “She’s your sister. You’re not stuck here, Emma. You’re free to see her, maybe fix things up.”

Emma chuckles, a hint of humor in her eyes. “You wouldn’t let me see her without at least a dozen security guards.”

I can’t help but smirk at that. “What can I say? You’re important to me, Emma. To all of us.”

I brush a strand of hair away from her face. Leaning in, I kiss her gently. Emma smiles into the kiss, her mood visibly lightening. As we break apart, she playfully nudges me. “So, Mr. Protector, does this mean I get a personal bodyguard wherever I go? Like a shadow?”

I grin, playing along. “Only if you promise not to step on his toes. We’re still training some of the new guys.”

She laughs, a sparkle in her eyes. “I’ll try not to. But what if I need to go somewhere really boring? Like, say, the grocery store?”

“Oh, the grocery store? That’s high-risk territory. You never know when a rogue shopping cart might come your way,” I reply with mock seriousness.

Emma giggles, leaning closer. “And what about date nights? Will you be my date and bodyguard?”

I wrap an arm around her, pulling her closer. “I’ll be whatever you need me to be. Date, bodyguard, personal chef... you name it.”

Her eyes dance with amusement. “Personal chef, huh?”

“Sure. I make a mean chicken casserole.”

She plants a quick kiss on my lips. “Okay, chef, I’ll put you to the test.”

I grin, planting another kiss on her neck, more insistent this time. She purrs, leaning into me for a few seconds before pulling away.

“Easy there, chef,” she teases, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Save some of that passion for the kitchen, will you?”

I chuckle, warmth spreading through me. “Oh, trust me, there’s plenty to go around. But I have to warn you, my casserole might just sweep you off your feet.”

She laughs, the sound music to my ears. “I’ll believe it when I taste it. But if it’s as good as you say, maybe I’ll let you sweep me off my feet.”

I smile, but then remember the important moment awaiting us. “Before that,” I say gently, my tone turning a bit more serious, “there’s someone you need to say goodbye to.”

Her expression softens, understanding immediately dawning in her eyes. “Alina.”

“Yeah, Alina,” I confirm, my voice soft. “It’s her last night here, and I know she’d want to say goodbye to you.”

Emma nods, a bittersweet smile crossing her face. “I can’t believe how quickly time has passed. I’m going to miss her.”

I place my hand on her shoulder, offering silent support. “She’s going to miss you too, Emma. You’ve been like a big sister to her.”

As we walk towards Alina’s room, Emma suddenly stops, turning to face me. Her eyes hold a mix of determination and vulnerability. “I want to do this myself, okay?”

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