Page 106 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

She glares at me.

“But she’s right, Dom. I understand you feel like we’ve withheld important information, but that’s why we’re here today. As you know, we’ve long thought La Corona has been targeted. Don Monti’s business has been the focus of attacks, attacks that have been escalating.” I pass around photographs fromthe warehouse ambush. "What started as small disruptions—shipment delays, inventory discrepancies—has graduated to coordinated violence."

Roman nods, picking up where I leave off. "The ambush was military-grade. Eight men with tactical training and equipment. They knew exactly when we'd be there and what our security protocols were."

The photos make their way around the table. Leo studies them with a careful eye.

"Two of my men died," I continue. "This wasn’t about product or territory. This was a hit designed to take me out. Whoever it is knew I’d respond, knew I’m helping Antonio. Maybe they don’t like it.”

Dom’s eyes narrow. “You’re not suggesting that Leo or I was behind this?”

“No. But I wouldn’t be surprised if whoever is behind all this would like me to think that. Just like they want me to think Antonio was behind it. Just like they wanted Ms. Monti to believe I was after Antonio’s business. Just like they wanted Isabella to believe I’d ordered her mother’s hit.”

Dominic examines the photo again. "Someone has inside information."

"Precisely. Someone who knows our movements, our businesses, our vulnerabilities. We’ve suspected this all along, but whoever they are, they’ve upped the ante."

Leo’s eyes narrow. “You think one person is orchestrating all this?”

“There has to be a ringleader,” Roman chimes in. “But we believe there’s help.”

“Who are these fuckers?” Dom asks, pointing to the dead assassins in the photo.

“Don’t know. I’ve got Falcone on it, but they were military trained. I lost two men.”

“And this is related to that business with Salvatore last year?” Leo asks.

“We believe so, but we’re uncertain how or who. We have several theories. We know there is someone inside La Corona. Someone who knows about Antonio’s condition and is exploiting it. We also believe they’re using or working with the FBI.”

“Mother fucker.” Dom shakes his head. I don’t blame him, as he’s had his own issues with FBI investigations. “Are they still trying to talk to Isabella?”

“No,” Roman says from where he stands near the door.

“They’ve reached out to Ms. Monti,” I say.

All eyes turn to Gabriella, who lifts her chin, even though she must feel uncomfortable to have four Dons watching her.

“But we’re now in a position to turn the tables.” I bring their attention back to me.

“I’m not sure I’m going to like hearing this.” Dom crosses his arms over his chest.

“Blackwood approached me directly.” Gabriella speaks with confidence, not at all intimated by the powerful men in this room. “He knows about my father's condition and about Don Calabresi’s involvement in our business.”

“Hence why you believe someone on the inside is sharing information,” Dom states.

“Yes.” Gabriella nods.

“Blackwood’s endgame would be to arrest us, not ambush us.” Dom pushes the photos back toward me.

“I believe our traitor is working multiple plans that all end in La Corona’s destruction, either through prosecution or infighting. Or perhaps he thinks the infighting will weaken La Corona and make it easier for Blackwood.”

“Or he seeks power. Salvatore wanted to end La Corona and take over all the businesses,” Roman minds us. “It’s likely Sal was working with whoever is still manipulating things behind the scenes.”

“So why involve the agent at all?” Leo asks. “They can’t take over a business if the government?—”

“Our businesses don’t necessarily end because one of us is in jail,” I say. “My belief is that the FBI is just a tool for our traitor.”

“So who is this fucker?” Dom looks over toward Roman. “I know you purged the business of anyone working with Sal.”