Page 35 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

She lifts her chin, but I don’t miss the flash of worry in her eyes. "I didn't tell him anything."

"It doesn't matter what you told him!" My control slips. "Being seen with Blackwood is enough to raise questions. Questions that could get you killed."

"By you?" Her eyes narrow.

"By anyone who thinks you might be talking." I step closer and regret it when her perfume wraps around me. "La Corona has rules about people who snitch. Rules that even your father can't protect you from."

Antonio steps toward us. "That's enough, both of you."

"No, it's not," I continue, my eyes locked on Gabriella. "You think you're protecting your father? You're endangering him. Endangering all of us. Blackwood isn't interested in helping you. He's using you to get to La Corona."

"You don't know what?—"

"I know exactly what I'm talking about." I cut her off. "If you put me in jail, your father’s business is as good as gone. He’s definitely dead.”

Gabriella's eyes widen, her body tensing. "Are you threatening my father?"

"I'm stating facts. This isn't a game, Gabriella. La Corona has maintained peace for generations because together, we're strong. The moment other families, the Russians, the Italians—any of them—if they sense vulnerability?—"

"Enough!" Antonio's voice cracks through the room like thunder.

I turn, startled by the authority in his tone.

It’s been awhile since I’ve seen the full force of Antonio.

"Marco isn't threatening me," he says to Gabriella. "He's been protecting me. Protecting us."

Her cheeks flush. "I saw the papers in his office. The reports on our businesses."

"Reports he's been compiling to help me manage the problems that have been cropping up." The admission is difficult for him.

I've never heard him acknowledge his need for my assistance so directly.

Gabriella shakes her head. "You don't understand?—"

"I understand more than you think." Antonio walks toward us. "My mind may be failing, but I still know who my allies are. Marco has been covering my mistakes. Redirecting questions when I forget details in meetings. Managing our territory'sproblems quietly so the other families don't realize what's happening."

Gabriella's expression shifts from defiance to confusion. "Why wouldn't you tell me?"

"Because it’s not anyone’s business. I asked Marco not to reveal our agreement. I have my pride."

I watch as Gabriella processes this.

Maybe now, she can leave me the fuck alone.

Antonio places a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Marco could have used my condition to take everything from us. Instead, he's sacrificed to preserve our family's standing."

She glances at me, her eyes scrutinizing me like she doesn’t believe it.

"I would never betray Antonio. I'm insulted that you think I would," I say. "He was there for me when no one else was. When everyone else thought I was too young, too inexperienced to lead, he believed in me."

Before she can say anything, I finish. "I'm trying to protect you, too. Even from yourself."

“Don’t pretend that you care about me.”

It’s not pretend, I want to tell her, but of course, I don’t. “I care about Antonio.”

"If what you're saying is true…" She crosses her arms defensively. "Why were you discussing taking over our territory with Roman?"