Page 42 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

My phone buzzes. Unknown number.

"Miss Monti, Agent Blackwood. I wanted to follow up on our conversation.”

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised he managed to get my number. He must have access to every database in the country.

I glance at my door, hoping no one is eavesdropping. "I'm still considering."

"Perhaps this will help your decision." His tone is casual. "I'm sending you some information. Evidence of Calabresi's movements against your family's interests."

My phone pings with incoming files.

"These documents show Marco Calabresi has been systematically inserting his people into your father's businesses," Blackwood continues. "We can protect your father. Full immunity. But we need your cooperation."

I scan the first document, financial records showing suspicious transfers between Calabresi and Monti accounts.

Initially, I feel a surge of anger that Marco has duped my father.

But as I study the docs, something feels off.

The patterns are too obvious, the paper trail too clean.

Surely, Marco is smarter than this.

“How’d you get these?”

“Let’s just say you’re not the only person who wants to bring Marco Calabresi to justice.”

Does that mean he has someone else in the family or La Corona helping him?

I think of Isabella, but in the year I’ve seen her, she seems truly happy with Roman.

She couldn’t be still working with Blackwood, could she?

"This is compelling," I lie, buying time. "But I'll need to verify?—"

"We don't have time for verification, Miss Monti. Calabresi is moving quickly. Your father's mental decline gives him the perfect cover."

The casual mention of my father's condition, something that’s been kept carefully guarded, sends warning signals flaring.

Marco and my father made it sound like Don Vitale and Don Ferraza were unaware of my father’s decline.

So who would Agent Blackwood know if not someone within the Monti or Calabresi families?

"Exactly how did you come by this information?"

“As I said, we have our sources."

"Of course you do." I keep my voice neutral. "Let me review everything. I'll call you."

"Don't wait too long. Once Calabresi makes his move, I may not be able to protect you and your father.” He disconnects the call.

I stare at the documents, noticing inconsistencies in dates, signatures that don't quite match my father's.

Someone has handed over manufactured evidence or Blackwood has concocted it himself.

My phone rings again, this time Elena Vitale, Dominic’s cousin.

For a moment, I remember how Marco offered me over to Dominic for marriage, which would make me related to her.