Page 133 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

“Call him!”

My mind races.

If I refuse, Frank will accuse me of being on Marco’s side and might shoot me right now.

If I call Marco and he actually comes…

With trembling fingers, I pull out my phone. Marco's contact is still open from my earlier text. I hitDial.

One ring. Two rings. Three.

Voicemail.

I look up at Frank. “He’s not answering.” I need someone to know I’m here. “Let me try his other number.”

He studies me for a moment, then nods.

I scroll to my father's contact and press dial.

"Gabriella?" My father's voice comes through. “Where are you? I thought we could?—"

I take a deep breath and launch into my performance. "Marco, it's me. I need to meet with you." I glance at Frank, who watches me intently. "I'm at the east warehouse. Frank and I know what you’re doing?—”

Frank shakes his head as if he doesn’t like me outing him.

"Gabriella, what are you—" my father begins, sounding bewildered.

I hate that making him confused might trigger another episode.

“I mean it, Marco, you need to come down here and explain this to me.”

Frank nods approvingly at my performance.

"I'll be waiting," I continue.

Frank makes a motion to cut the call, so I hang up before my father can respond.

I pray my father will understand something is wrong and call Marco.

"He'll come," I tell Frank, trying to sound confident. “He hates to be accused by me.”

Frank's expression shifts, something dark and dangerous crossing his features. “I think you must be a good actress.”

I tilt my head, looking at him in confusion, while deep down, I’m afraid he’s figured me out.

“If Marco comes and I kill him, no harm, no foul, right? You’re still in a good position with the family. But if he lives, you can spread your legs for Marco?—”

“Watch yourself, Frank.”

“Or what?” He shakes his head. “I should have seen it sooner.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Marco always pawns off all his dirty work. He forced Don Ferraza’s daughter to marry that brute, Roman, so he didn’t have to. Why would he agree to take you in his home… to guard you? That’s not his style. No. This is all an elaborateplan. The two of you are working together, including giving false information to the FBI. Am I right?”

“I’m the one who forced my way into Marco’s home.” It’s the truth, although I’m afraid Frank won’t believe me. “He wanted to send me to Italy. I can’t protect my father from Italy.”

But he’s not listening to me. “I can't believe you're working against your own father," he continues, his voice rising. "The man who gave you everything. Who let you go to law school when other Dons would have married you off at eighteen."