Page 54 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride

I’d married her, for Christ’s sake. And this is how she repays us?

"That's not how this works. Blackwood needs you right where you are,” the woman had said.

Then she disappeared, but not before I snapped a photo of her. It sits in a secure folder on my phone.

Another piece in the puzzle of whatever game Blackwood is playing with Isabella, with all of us.

I considered confiscating Isabella’s new phone right then. And later, when she wasn’t paying attention, I took it and cloned it.

But I decided to see what she’d do.

She didn’t tell me about the phone, but she did share the evidence she had against Marco.

For a moment, I consider that Marco could be involved in Isabella's mother's death.

The thought sickens me.

Marco has been my brother in all but blood since we were kids. I've killed for him, bled for him, trusted him with everything, including my life and Angelica's future.

But I'm not blind to how this world works.

La Corona maintains peace through strength. Through fear. Through swift, merciless action against those who threaten the balance.

If Isabella's mother discovered something she shouldn't have, if she threatened to go to authorities…

And yet, Isabella was caught talking to the Feds and instead of killing her, they married her off to me.

So no, Marco wouldn't have killed a member of La Corona’s wife.

Besides, I've handled every significant hit for the Calabresi family since I became his right hand.

If he’d wanted Isabella’s mother dead, he’d have asked me to do it.

Unless he knew I'd object.

The Mafia code is clear.

Family above all else.

La Corona above individual families.

The greater good above personal feelings.

If Marco did this, he had his reasons. If I discover those reasons, my loyalty demands that I protect him, even from Isabella's quest for justice.

But if Marco betrayed the Ferraza family by killing one of their own without La Corona’s approval, it would shatter the foundation of La Corona.

And if I help Isabella expose this truth, if it is the truth, I become a traitor to my own family.

There are no good choices here. Only bloody ones.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to check the alert. It's a notification from Isabella’s burner phone. My gut tightens as I realize she's using it. Right now.

My fingers move quickly across my phone screen, activating the recording feature I'd connected to the burner.

"…need more than that, Isabella." A man's voice, Blackwood, I assume, says. "The Calabresi financial records would be ideal. Roman must have access to them."

"I told you, I'm not sure I want to do this anymore." Isabella's voice is low, uncertain.