Page 152 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

“I accused you of betraying my father and somehow, you still love me.” I melt against him, feeling the steady beat of his heart. The heart I once thought incapable of love.

“I accused you, but that was just for Frank?—”

“I know.” I look up at him. “I know you, Marco.”

He settles his forehead against mine. “It terrifies me how much you see me. Terrifies and makes me feel whole. I should've never let you walk out that door. Either time."

I close my eyes, breathing him in.

The warmth of his body envelops mine.

It's strange to see this powerful man looking at me with such vulnerability.

Roman claps. "About damn time," he says with a grin that breaks the intensity of the moment.

My father clears his throat loudly, and I wince, suddenly remembering we're not alone.

Marco's arms tighten around me briefly before he reluctantly puts a respectable distance between us, though he keeps his hand firmly clasped in mine.

“What are your intentions?” my father demands.

Marco looks at me. “To love you forever. If you’ll have me.”

“Yes—”

“You still disrespect me! This is my home, Don Calabresi. My daughter. Anything you want of mine, you ask me.” My father isn’t joking.

But I’m not chattel. “Oh, for goodness’ sake! I don't need your permission to choose whom I love." Marco's hand squeezes mine, lending me strength. "I respect you, Dad, but this decision is mine. You raised me to make my choices, remember?"

My father's stern expression wavers.

"Don Antonio," Marco says, "Normally, I’d have asked your permission, but we both know your daughter might not have accepted me if I'd treated her like property to be bartered for."

I smirk at them both.

My father's eyes narrow, but I catch the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

He's fighting a smile.

"You've always been a stubborn bastard, Marco," he finally says.

“So I’ve been told.” Marco glances at Roman, who doesn’t look at all chagrined.

My father steps forward, placing one hand on Marco's shoulder and the other on mine. “I know you don’t need it, but hopefully, you want it. You have my blessing.”

If this is a dream, it’s the best one ever. Thank God it’s real.

"But understand this, Marco." My father’s grip tightens on Marco's shoulder, and Marco's complexion pales slightly. "If you ever hurt my daughter or my grandchild, there is no place on this earth you can hide from me. I will end you."

"I understand.”

"Good." My father releases his grip and steps back. "Now, since you're about to collapse, perhaps you should sit down before you bleed all over my carpet."

“I’m fine.”

I roll my eyes.

Marco doesn’t look fine at all.