Page 135 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

And I took it. I fucking took it.

Nearly twenty-five years running one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the country.

I've faced down rival families, corrupt officials, and federal agents.

I've killed men with my bare hands. But the thought of being responsible for a family paralyzes me with terror.

What terrifies me even more is the emptiness she left behind.

Roman was right. I'm an idiot.

The baby deserves better than me.

Gabriella deserves better.

But the thought of my child growing up without knowing me, of Gabriella raising our baby alone in Italy, it’s untenable.

My phone vibrates against the desk. I’ve already skipped a text message and a call in an effort to keep focus in this meeting.

I flip it over, ready to silence it, but Antonio's name appears on the screen.

“Excuse me, gentlemen.” I pick up the phone to answer. "Antonio."

"Marco." His voice sounds strained, confused. "Gabriella just called. Something about meeting you at the east warehouse? Did I miss a meeting?"

"I didn't call her. We haven't spoken in days." But every instinct in my body goes on high alert.

"She sounded… strange. She said she and Frank know what you’re doing."

My first thought is that she’s back to accusing me of something, but that kernel of worry has me rising from my chair.

She’s pissed at me, but she’s not petty.

Frank.

East warehouse.

Oh, fuck. It dawns on me. The fake meeting.

“I’m on my way.” I cut the line and head out the door with no explanation to my men. I scroll through my missed notifications.

Frank is the mole. Taking me to east warehouse. Doesn’t realize I made up the story.

Cold fury washes over me.

I dial Roman’s number as I rush out of the casino to my car. “Who is on the warehouse? The fake meeting?”

Roman is quiet for a moment. “Ah… Lorenzo. He’s supposed to call if he sees?—”

“Any chance he’s dead?”

“What’s going on, Marco?”

I’m in my car, driving like a bat out of hell to get to Antonio’s warehouse that might as well be in Timbuktu for how far I have to drive to get there.

“Apparently, Frank is there with Gabriella. I missed a text from her saying he’s the mole.” If something happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself.

I’ll kneel in front of Antonio and beg him to put a bullet in my head.