Alpha's Daughter and Her Mafia Mate

6: Heated Argument

LEONARD

I don't know what this woman is doing to me. I constantly find myself craving to be in her presence and I swear her smile does strange things to my cold heart, and surprisingly, I am not as scared as I should be. Looking at her face right now, all I want is to see her smile. Odd, I know. Perhaps it's because she saved my son, and I want to repay her kindness with kindness. A part of me knows that is just bullshit because gratitude has nothing to do with the jerk in my pants every time she challenges me. I must admit that I am intrigued by her feisty nature. Not only is she not afraid to rile me up, but she is also refreshingly courageous. Even Henry had to bow down to that.

“So?” She is glaring at me expectantly, and I am sure she is daring me.

“I already told you that I want you to take up the role of Max's nanny,” I answered smoothly, expecting her to counter. And she didn't disappoint.

“To what end?” She raised her brows and her beautiful eyes popped. 'Leo, get a grip!' A voice at the back of my mind growled. I was losing control of the situation. And fast. Why do I suddenly feel like the prisoner? She should be the one worried. Not me. Yet here I am thinking of ways to make her situation easier. “Leonard,” she prompts.

'F*ck!' I groaned internally. This was a losing battle. Did my c*ck just jerk as my name rolled out of her lips?

“Your performance will determine,” it's the only response I could formulate, considering. Obviously, I can't tell her that I have thought that far ahead or that I am having second thoughts. It's clear she is nothing like her bastard of her father. If she hadn't volunteered to save my son, I shudder to think of the outcome.

“You have got to be sh*tting me.” She facepalmed with a sigh. “Is this your nice way of telling me that you won't ever let me go?” I could see that wheels had begun turning in her pretty head.

“Did you understand what I said? Your perfo….”

“I heard you loud and clear.” She interrupted, disgruntling me. I hate when someone interrupts me, and she is no exception. “Do you expect me to believe that you will be fair in your judgment?” She narrowed those expressive eyes. “If I underperform, it's guaranteed incarceration. And if I do well, you will need me to keep doing that for as long as you please.” I couldn't help but smile. She had a brilliant point. “What's funny?”

“I admire the way your brain works,” I confessed before I could stop myself. Seems like I just paid my prisoner a compliment.

She blinked wordlessly. “…”

“Think of it this way, at least you have a shot of leaving if you do your job well.” She huffed and didn't bother to hide her disappointment. “Plus as long as you are in my care you will get anything your heart desires,” I added seriously. “Except your freedom, of course, until I am ready to grant it.” A smile that had begun blossoming on her face vanished as the last words left my mouth.

“Of course, it's your way or nothing at all.” She seethed, looking at everything but me. “Why am I not surprised.” Her scoff was accompanied by glistening eyes. I can't explain why, but at that instant, I wanted nothing more than to caress her face and assure her that it wasn't as bad as it sounded. But who am I kidding? It's just as it sounds. She will have to stay and take care of Max in place of Melissa and pay for her father's sins.

“Please leave,” she rasped, bowing her head.

Ouch, that hurt. How dare she boss me around? I am already going up and above to ensure she is comfortable, something I wouldn't have done for any other prisoner. But I left nonetheless. Or I attempted to but halted halfway. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I roared, “aren't I generous enough already?” She didn't answer and it infuriated me more. “Your pretensious father killed my wife. To avenge her, I should have killed you. But then you saved my son, and I can't reward that with death.”

“You might as well do!” Camilla screamed. I don't know how, but I suddenly found myself on her face. How I had moved across the room and grabbed her by the neck I can't explain.

“Are you deliberately goading me to kill you?” I am sure my eyes were shimmering with anger. I could feel myself losing my cool, which wasn't good for anyone. And especially her.

“You think by giving me some damn scrapes from what used to be my life, I should worship you?”

'Can't she just keep her mouth shut for a minute?' He fumed. He was trying his hardest not to snap, but she was an expert in pushing all his wrong buttons.

“If you have nothing else to say, prefer to be alone now.” She spit out venomously. Before I could retort, she went on quickly. “And I am no damn nanny.”

“What more do you want?” I couldn't mask my exasperation. “Have I not told you already that you can have everything your heart desires?”

“Anything?” She tilted her head to the side. I could see her calculating nature taking over, but I couldn't go back on my words, so I nodded. “Okay, I want you.” She blurted so casually, rendering me speechless.

“Wh… What?" I sputtered, wondering if I had heard her wrongly.

“You said I can have anything I want. Right?” She asked bored. I nodded.

“Then I want you.” She said, simply looking me straight in the eye without blinking.