Poolside Whispers

The sun bathed the Russo mansion’s private pool in a golden glow. The water shimmered under the light as Damien stood in the pool with Leo, tossing a volleyball back and forth. The little boy’s laughter rang through the air, pure and joyful.

Aria stood at a distance, arms crossed, watching them with a small smile.

Damien looked different today. Not the cold, ruthless mafia boss, but a father, relaxed and enjoying the moment with his son.

Her gaze drifted, trailing over his toned chest, the way water clung to his skin, muscles flexing effortlessly. Her throat went dry.

Damn. That man looked dangerously good.

She shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts. I need to leave.

But as she turned, a tall figure blocked her path.

As she turned to leave, hoping to escape her wandering thoughts, a tall figure suddenly blocked her path.

Luca.

With his ever-present smirk, Damien’s most trusted bodyguard folded his arms. “And where do you think you’re going?”

Aria raised an eyebrow. “Inside. Unlike some people, I have work to do.”

Luca clicked his tongue. “No, no, no. Not today.”

She sighed, already annoyed. “Luca—”

Before she could protest, Leo ran up to her, dripping wet and grinning wide. “Nanny, no work! It’s pool day!”

Aria glanced between Leo’s excited face and Luca’s mischievous grin. Then, Luca casually tossed a swimsuit toward her.

She caught it, blinking in surprise. “What—?”

Luca smirked. “I have many backups in case of stubborn nannies.”

Aria rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips.

“It Fits You Well”

Stepping out in the swimsuit, she felt a little self-conscious.

Damien’s gaze darkened for a second. He noticed.

“You clean up well, nanny,” he said, smirking.

Aria crossed her arms. “And you’re tolerable when you’re not brooding.”

Damien tossed the ball at her. “You’re playing.”

She sighed but joined the game. Laughter filled the air as the ball went from Damien to Leo, then to Aria.

For the first time, there were no threats, no secrets. Just a family moment.

After the game, Luca brought ice cream for everyone.

“Perks of having a well-prepared bodyguard,” he said with a wink.

Aria rolled her eyes but froze when she noticed Damien standing way too close.

His voice dropped, smooth and teasing. “Your ice cream is melting, nanny.”

Confused, she looked down—a drop of ice cream was on her fingers.

Damien smirked, watching her reaction.

Trying to stay unaffected, she quickly licked it off and shot him a look.

“Happy now?”

Damien chuckled, shaking his head. “Not even close.”

Her heart skipped, but before she could respond, Leo tugged her arm. “Nanny, look! I made a splash!”

She turned to him, laughing.

But Damien’s words lingered in her mind.

Not even close.

As the sun set, Damien, Aria, Leo and Luca sat by the pool, enjoying the quiet.

Luca smirked. “Our mafia king is getting soft.”

Damien simply looked at Leo and murmured, “Maybe it’s not so bad.”

None of them realized—this was a moment they would all remember.

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