Page 5 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

I shove my hands in my pockets when they itch to pull the pins of that knot and run my fingers through her hair.

She meets my gaze for a half-second before deliberately shifting her attention to Dom and Leo.

The dismissal stings and it pisses me off.

"Gentlemen," Antonio announces, his voice still carrying that commanding presence despite everything. "You remember Gabriella. She’s been doing legal work for me."

I watch the ripple of discomfort travel through the room.

La Corona has existed for generations on tradition.

Women don't sit at this table, not even ones with law degrees and minds sharper than most of the men here.

Gabriella stands tall beside her father, hand resting protectively on his arm.

The gesture isn't lost on me.

She's marking her territory, showing everyone she's his guardian now.

She's magnificent in her defiance. I hate how much I admire it.

"Antonio," Leo starts, his tone carefully measured, "perhaps Ms. Monti would be more comfortable in the living room? This is a meeting for family heads."

“Is Roman staying?” she asks.

“Only if I ask him to,” I say.

“Well, he’s not a family head and my father asked me to join him.”

"My daughter is family," Antonio replies firmly, though I catch the slight confusion that flickers across his features, a momentary uncertainty about why this is even being questioned.

No doubt, Gabriella has talked him into believing she can be an asset.

She probably could be, but… well… tradition.

Gabriella steps forward. "I've been handling the legal aspects of the businesses for years. I believe I can contribute to today's discussion."

"With all due respect," Dom interjects with indignation, "there are matters we discuss that aren't meant for?—"

"For women?" Gabriella finishes, arching an eyebrow. "Or for people who understand corporate law better than you do, Don Vitale?"

I suppress a smirk. She never did know when to back down.

Dom glances at Antonio, clearly expecting him to chastise Gabriella for her disrespect.

Antonio shifts uncomfortably, glancing between his daughter and the other Dons.

Everyone knows that he’s given Gabriella more independence than most Mafia daughters are given, but even he knows that in this situation, she's pushing boundaries.

At least I hope he does. His mind is slipping way too quickly.

"Perhaps," Antonio says, clearing his throat, "Gabriella could share the quarterly reports and then?—"

"I'm staying for the entire meeting, Dad." Her voice is gentle but firm.

The other Dons exchange looks.

This isn't just about tradition anymore.