CHAPTER 5

SERENIA POV

Matteo flipped open the black leather folder, sliding a crisp, multi-page document across the smooth surface of the desk. A heavy, silver fountain pen followed right after it, rolling to a stop right by my coffee cup.

"That is your employment contract," Matteo said, his voice dropping into a formal, strictly professional tone. "Read it carefully."

I pulled the papers toward me, scanning the neat print. "Let's see. Ten thousand dollars a month. Paid in cash every Friday evening. Free room and board. Premium medical coverage." I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. "Wow. You guys really don't skimp on benefits."

"There are conditions, Serenia," Matteo said, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the desk. "Strict ones. First, you will live here full-time. You are on call whenever Leo is awake. Second, you are responsible for his safety, his diet, and his emotional well-being."

"Fair enough. He's a kid, he needs structure," I said, flipping to the next page. "What's this clause about confidentiality?"

"You are to never ask about my business," Matteo said, his eyes darkening, turning cold and completely unreadable. "You do not ask about the men outside, you do not ask about the guests I bring to this house, and you do not go into the basement or the east wing. You see nothing, you hear nothing. Understood?"

I shrugged, uncapping the silver pen. "Honestly, Mr. Alcantara, as long as the cash clears every week, you could be running an underground fight club for all I care. I'm just here to make sure the kid doesn't choke on a chicken nugget."

"I am serious, Serenia," he insisted, his voice low and dangerous. "Breaking any of these rules won't just get you fired. It will have severe consequences."

"Got it. Mind my own business," I said. I flipped to the final page, signing my name with a quick, decisive scribble on the dotted line. "There. Officially your nanny."

Matteo reached out to take the folder back, but before his fingers could touch the leather, the quiet of the mansion was completely shattered.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of loud, metallic cracks echoed from the front of the estate. It sounded like fireworks, but much heavier, sharper, and terrifyingly close.

The three bodyguards by the door moved instantly, their movements fluid and practiced. In a fraction of a second, all three of them drew matte-black handguns from beneath their suits, their faces twisting into grim, deadly expressions.

"Boss, we have a breach at the main gate," the guard in the center barked, pressing a hand to his earpiece. "Multiple shooters."

My heart hammered violently against my ribs. I froze in my chair, the silver pen slipping from my fingers and dropping onto the desk with a sharp clack.

Those aren't fireworks, I realized, the cold reality hitting me like a slap in the face. Those are actual gunshots.

Matteo didn't panic. He moved with a terrifyingly calm speed. He slammed his desk drawer open, pulling out a heavy, dark pistol of his own. He stood up, kicking his leather chair backward, and rounded the desk in two strides.

Before I could even process what was happening, the study door flew open.

A breathless maid ran in, carrying a terrified Leo in her arms. The little boy was crying again, his small hands clutching her uniform.

"Mr. Alcantara! They're in the courtyard!" she screamed.

Matteo snatched Leo from her arms, tucking the boy securely against his broad chest. With his other hand, he grabbed my upper arm in a tight, vice-like grip, pulling me out of my chair so fast my knees almost buckled.

"Move," Matteo commanded, dragging me toward the far corner of the room, away from the windows.

Another loud blast shattered the glass of the living room down the hall. Alarms began to blare throughout the house—a deep, rhythmic wailing sound that made my ears ring. The smell of smoke and gunpowder slowly drifted into the hallway.

Matteo pushed me down into the narrow space behind his heavy mahogany desk, immediately shielding both me and a sobbing Leo with his own body. He crouched over us, his broad shoulders completely blocking my view of the rest of the room. The cold metal of his gun brushed against my arm.

The ruthless, exhausted uncle from ten minutes ago was gone. The man hovering over me looked like a monster ready to tear someone apart. His eyes were wide, alert, and burning with a lethal fury.

I squeezed my eyes shut, holding onto the hem of my damp hoodie, my entire body trembling as the sounds of shouting and gunfire grew louder outside the door.

Matteo looked down at me, his sharp jaw clenched tight. He pressed his hand firmly against the back of my head, forcing me lower against the floor.

"Welcome to the job, Nanny," Matteo growled over the sound of the blaring alarms, his voice raw and deadly serious. "Rule number one: stay down."

The heavy wooden doors of the study suddenly splintered open.