Alpha's Daughter and Her Mafia Mate

4: Near Death Scare

LEONARD

Henry emerged from the basement looking like he was about to kill someone. He was seething in anger as his hands shook, badly; implying he needed to hit something or someone.

“That b*tch has fire in her,” he grumbled. “I have to give her that.” Behind all the anger, he was actually impressed. I have known him for so long, not to notice.

“I take it you haven't been able to break her,” I surmised with a taunting smirk. Henry grumbled under his breath, forming a fist. “That will be the first time you have failed to deliver in all of your years of service to me,” I added more seriously. “Is it because she is a girl?”

“No, sir.” He responded tightly. “She is enjoying the pain, and I am finding it hard to break someone who wants to be broken.” Leo didn't say anything for a while as he studied his loyal employee. If he says, she is a tough one, she must be.

“I will break her myself.” Leo decided, folding the sleeves of his white shirt. “Keep an eye on Max.” Henry nodded shamefacedly, feeling like he had not just failed his Leo, but Melissa as well. The daunting images of Camilla mocking him bombarded his thoughts.

*******

“Are you stupid?” He bellowed, offended by my simple request. “I am not your errand boy, and you can't summon Leo the way you do your many babysitters.”

“Perhaps, but aren't you Leo's errand boy?” She smirked, watching his hand fly and landed on her cheek. She darted her tongue and licked the blood off the lips, savoring the taste, and grinned. “What does a girl have to do to get broken?” She laughed out loud like a maniac, riling her mate's right hand man up. It was a part of her plan. She was sure he would be forced to tell his boss that he couldn't break her, which would make the fine species bless her with his presence. And she wasn't wrong. After taking a considerable beating, the man left in search of her mate, she hoped.

*****

I grimaced watching her bloodied face, wondering how come Henry was saying he was unable to break her. She looked already broken to me.

“So you've finally grown a pair and decided to do the dirty work yourself?” She spat with a challenging grin when her eyes found mine. And I was wrong! That feisty spirit of hers was nowhere close to being bent, leave alone broken. No wonder Henry was so frustrated. “Your toy boy hightailed out of here, tail tucked between his legs.” She laughed. “Are you sure you want to pick up where he left?”

I swung my hand, connecting it to her cheek forcefully, it made her head fall to the side. “There is definitely a difference there,” she mocked, groaning as she flexed her jaw. “I feel like I am being handled by an Alpha male now.” She smiled. The woman was intriguing. Many, including men, would have been begging for a merciful death by now. But not her. If anything, she goaded for more.

I got to a point where I ended up gagging her with water, but the damn woman wouldn't relent. I was about to dangle her face down on the ceiling, when Henry burst in, followed by a crying Lenah. He was carrying a wheezing Max in his hands.

“He is choking Leo!” Henry screamed. My heart dropped. I turned and rushed to meet him halfway and took my almost unconscious son in my arms. He wasn't breathing well. “Let's go.” I barked, hurrying out to rush him to the hospital when Camilla spoke.

“He is turning blue, he won't make it to the hospital.” Her words cut deeper than a blade would, in my heart.

“What the f*ck did you say?” I growled venomously, gritting my teeth.

“Now is not the time, lady!” Henry snarled, urging me towards the stairs.

“Bring him,” she declared calmly. “If you want to save your son, bring him.” I hesitated, wondering what kind of games she was playing. “I am a certified pediatric.” She added, almost in a plea, making me stop and rush back to her.

“You can't be serious, Leo!” Henry bellowed in panic. But for some reason I couldn't even explain myself, I felt I could trust Camilla.

“Free her hands,” I demanded, and Henry didn't waste time. She quickly took Max from my shaky hands and demanded I lay my shirt on her wet lap. I did so without an objection. She laid Max along her forearm facing down, and used her thigh for support. Her hand was placed on Max's chest and her fingers on his jaw. She then used her free hand to give forceful, quick blows between his shoulder blades. I counted five in total. Henry, Lenah, and I watched with bated breaths as she turned him expertly, supporting his head. She placed two fingers in the middle of the breastbone and began thrusting down quickly. Max began coughing strongly, and she halted her actions, turning him once again to face down, and as if on cue the damn bread pushed out.

We all let out loud relieved sighs, including Camilla. She lifted him in her arms. “You are okay, buddy.” She whispered shakily and repeatedly like she was trying to convince her brain that he was actually okay. Max cackled heartily, not knowing the scare he had put me through just a few moments ago. I took him from her arms, and perhaps it's my muddled brain talking, but I could have sworn I saw a sad and longing look in her eyes as I walked away with my son.

I hugged him tightly to my chest and kissed his head. “I am sorry, baby.” I moaned, realizing just how close I had come to losing him. And that's when a thought occurred.

“Your father took his mother from us.” I addressed Camilla, making Henry's eyes widen in realization. “And you have saved my son's life, so your death is out of the equation.” She narrowed her eyes at me, anticipating my next words. “You have a choice, take up a job as his nanny, or stay a prisoner down here indefinitely."

“What's the difference?” She growled. “I am sure even as a nanny, I will be a prisoner.” I chuckled.

“True, but at least you will be sleeping in a bed and eat good food, with servants at your beck and call. Think about it.” Without waiting for her answer, I walked out, clutching my son tightly. I don't recall ever feeling that kind of fear. Not even when a bullet pierced through Melissa's skull.