Page 139 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

But I find it odd how he seems convinced it’s me, and here I thought it was him. That means we have another player.

Blackwood?

The agent investigating Dom?

Someone else we don’t yet know?

"You know what I think, Frank?" I say, voice dropping lower. "I think Blackwood played you. The both of you, just like he played Salvatore. Tried to play Ferraza’s daughter, but she was smart. She got out. You two are in too deep to get out."

His gun hand wavers slightly. "Shut up," he hisses. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I? You're not the mastermind here. You're just another pawn."

I shift to the side, creating distance between Gabriella and myself, hoping to draw his attention to me.

"This ends today. But it's between you and me. Let her go. She's nothing."

I glance at Gabriella, trying to communicate with my eyes what I can't say aloud.

Leave.Now.

Her eyes are filled with hate.

“This is business, Frank. Let's handle it like men. Between us." I take another step forward.

“You’ve come close enough.” He raises the gun higher, pointing it directly at Gabriella's head. "If you want her gone, I can eliminate her now.”

The air freezes in my lungs. "You kill her, and I will make your death last for days."

I’ve revealed my hand to Frank.

She matters.

My father would have shot me right then and there.

But what’s done is done.

“I knew it,” Frank sneers. “You two are working to ruin Antonio. Now you both die.”

Frank's finger tightens on the trigger, a movement so slight most wouldn't notice.

But I've seen enough men pull triggers to recognize the tell.

My body moves on instinct, lunging toward Gabriella. “No!” I throw myself in front of her.

The gunshot cracks through the warehouse, the echo ricocheting through the space.

Fire erupts in my upper chest, white-hot pain that steals my breath.

The impact knocks me back into Gabriella.

Somehow, I manage to stay on my feet, shielding Gabriella with my body.

"Marco!" Her scream pierces through the ringing in my ears.

Warmth spreads over my chest and I know it’s blood.

But I’m not dead yet.