Page 52 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

He turns, blinking as if emerging from a dream.

His eyes focus on me, then drift to my suitcase.

A smile spreads across his face, but something about it feels disconnected, like he's operating on autopilot.

"Hot date?" he asks with a wink.

My heart stutters.

He's forgotten our conversation from just twenty minutes ago.

Forgotten that I'm going to stay with Marco.

Forgotten why.

I force a smile, deciding not to correct him. "Something like that."

"Don't stay out too late," he says, turning back to the fire. "Your mother will worry. She's out Christmas shopping, you know. Always leaves everything to the last minute."

I close my eyes as pain fills my chest.

My mother has been gone for nearly ten years now.

And while my father is here, I can feel him slipping away.

This is why I need to stay in New York.

He needs me, even if he doesn't realize it.

Even if Marco thinks I'm nothing but trouble.

I cross the room and press a kiss to my father’s forehead. "I love you."

"Love you too,cara mia," he murmurs, patting my hand. "Tell Frank to bring the car around for your date."

I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

Whatever it takes, whatever price I have to pay to protect him, I’ll pay it.

Even if it means living with the one man who broke my heart.

Frank waits for me by the front door, car keys in hand, his weathered face creased with concern.

"You sure about this?" he asks as he takes my suitcase. "Moving into Calabresi's home is like walking into the lion's den."

I follow him to the car, watching as he places my luggage in the trunk.

Frank has been my father's right hand for as long as I can remember, steady, loyal, protective.

"I'm not sure about anything anymore," I admit as I slide into the back seat. "But I need to be close to whatever's happening."

Frank settles behind the wheel, his eyes finding mine in the rearview mirror. "That’s what’s concerning. If Calabresi isn’t on the up and up, that could be dangerous."

“This is the only way I can stay and see for myself what he’s really doing.”

"And if he is working against your father?"

"Then I'll have proof, and I'll stop him." I don’t know how, but I will.