Page 146 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride

“So Ernie killed my mother?” My brow furrows. “And made it look like the Calebresis did it.”

He shrugs. “Why not sow seeds of discord?”

“Did you kill Ernie?”

Salvatore’s scowl darkens. “I’d never kill my own blood. No, that was your father. I’m sure of it.”

Maybe it’s all the hits to my head, but that story isn’t making sense. “Why? If my father knew what my mother planned or knew Ernie killed her, he’d have told the other Dons.”

He leans in close. “Drug OD is your father’s MO.”

“Ernie killed my mother using someone else’s MO. Isn’t it possible someone killed your brother and framed my father?”

Salvatore pauses as if he’s considering. His face contorts. “Mother fucker.”

I don’t know what he’s thinking, and based on his expression, I’m too afraid to ask.

He sniffs and tilts his head from side to side until his neck cracks. Then he turns his deadly gaze on me. “Whether your father killed Ernie or not, La Corona has to go. Once I'm done with you, Leo is next. Or maybe Roman. Should I let you choose?"

Cold fear runs through my veins. I have to be strong. My mother died protecting La Corona from him. She was brave, just as I need to be now. "La Corona won't let you get away with this.”

"La Corona is already falling apart," he replies with chilling confidence. "And you, Isabella, have helped."

"You won't win. Roman will figure it out. He's been putting the pieces together already."

A flicker of doubt crosses Salvatore's face before hardening into rage. "Roman is loyal to Marco. He won't risk everything for you."

But I know better. Roman may be loyal to Marco, but he's also a man who protects what's his. And whether he loves me or not, I am his wife.

Salvatore checks his watch impatiently. "I'm done with this conversation."

He gestures sharply to his henchman who's been standing silently in the corner. The man steps forward, and I notice he's holding a syringe filled with clear liquid.

My heart lurches violently against my ribs. "What is that?" I demand, unable to keep the tremor from my voice.

"Just something to make you more cooperative," Salvatore says with chilling casualness.

Panic surges through me as the henchman approaches. I try to scramble away, but my bound hands make it impossible to move. My back hits the wall. There's nowhere to go.

"Please," I gasp, hating the weakness in my voice but unable to stop it. "I'm pregnant."

Salvatore's eyes widen slightly, then he laughs. “Of course you are. Deep down, Roman is a pussy.”

He nods to his henchman who grabs my arm, pushing up my sleeve.

I struggle with every ounce of strength I have left, kicking and twisting, but my body feels increasingly heavy, my movements sluggish from the earlier beating.

"Roman will kill you for this," I manage to say.

“He can try.”

The needle hovers over my skin. The cold sting of the needle pierces my skin. My muscles tense, then begin to relax against my will as whatever drug Salvatore injected spreads through my veins.

"No," I try to say, but my mouth feels stuffed with cotton, my tongue heavy and uncooperative. The concrete room begins to swim, walls melting into floors.

Salvatore's face looms over me, then doubles, then triples.

My thoughts scatter. I try to hold onto them, to stay present.