Page 49 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

"I'll include you in discussions about your father's business.Limiteddiscussions," I clarify when I see triumph flash in her eyes. "You'll get enough information to understand what's happening, not enough to interfere."

"That's not good enough."

"It's all you're getting." I step closer, using my height to intimidate her. It's never worked before, but old habits die hard. "Take it or leave it."

She holds my gaze, unflinching. "I'll take it. For now."

What the hell am I doing?

Having Gabriella in my house is asking for trouble.

Not just because of La Corona or Blackwood, but because of what happened between us last Christmas.

Because of what I still feel when she looks at me like that.

"This is business," I say firmly, more for myself than her. "Nothing more."

"Of course," she agrees too quickly. "I wouldn't expect anything else from you."

There's an edge to her voice that unsettles me.

I've spent a lifetime building walls around myself, learning not to care what others think.

Yet somehow, her disappointment challenges my defenses.

"I'll call Antonio and have a room prepared," I say. "You can move in tonight."

God help me.

One week with Gabriella Monti under my roof, and I'll either kill her or kiss her.

Neither option ends well for either of us.

10

GABRIELLA

I slip into my waiting car with a smile.

Victory tastes sweet, even when served with a side of Marco's scowling face.

The compromise isn't perfect, but it's better than being shipped off to Italy like excess baggage.

Plus, it keeps me close to my father where I can protect him.

My feelings of triumph falter as my mind circles back to Marco's face when I suggested staying at his home.

For a moment, I saw something other than indifference or irritation.

I know there’s more to Marco than he lets on.

There's something in him, a wounded, neglected part, that craves connection, even as he pushes everyone away.

He’s always seemed like a man who needed someone in his life to love him.

There was a time last year when I thought I might be that person.

There’d been rare moments when his walls came down, when I caught glimpses of the man beneath the Don.