Page 151 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

I gently place my hand over her stomach, overwhelmed by the miracle growing beneath my palm.

Our child.

The thing I once feared most has become my greatest hope.

"But whatever you decide, I'll respect it. If you choose to go to Italy, I'll ensure you have everything you need. If you want me to stay away, I will, though it will destroy me."

The room falls silent except for the sound of Christmas music.

"You took a bullet for me.”

It’s not what I want to hear, but I’ll take it. "I would take a thousand more."

I hold my breath, terrified and hopeful all at once.

I pray for a chance I don't deserve but desperately want, a chance to build a future with the woman I love and the child we've created.

At this moment, the world comes to a screeching halt as I wait to learn whether she’ll say words that save me or condemn me.

28

GABRIELLA

I stare at Marco.

He looks tired, nearly ready to keel over.

But he’s here, telling me he loves me.

He wants me and the baby.

I won’t lie. I wonder if I’m dreaming because this is what I’ve wished for.

Every day my father has kept me locked at home, worried about the aftermath of Frank’s death and Marco’s shooting,

I’ve thought about Marco walking through my front door to whisk me away.

But it was a dream. I’ve already booked my ticket to Italy right after New Year’s. And yet, here he is.

I realize he’s waiting for me to answer.

"You think you're too old and surly for me?" I step closer. "You think I care about that?"

He watches me with what I think might be hope in his eyes.

“If I cared about that, I wouldn’t have seduced you in the library last year.”

“What’d she say?” my father asks Roman, and I cast him an annoyed glare.

“I’m not an easy man to love.” The pain of Marco’s baggage laces his tone.

I press my hand to his cheek. “Yes you are, Marco. The only one holding back is you.”

He tilts his head into my palm. “Not anymore. If you’ll?—”

I move my hand, pressing my fingers over his lips. “My turn.” I smile up at him, my heart filling with more love than I ever thought possible. “I love you too. And don’t look at me like you can’t believe it.”

Marco pulls me into his arms, his embrace tight despite his injury. “Sorry, but I can’t believe it. Not after everything?—”