Page 54 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

"Don Calabresi." Frank nods respectfully.

“Frank. You can put those down," I tell him, gesturing to a corner of the room. "My staff will take them to Miss Monti's quarters."

Frank hesitates, looking to Gabriella for confirmation.

Even her father's underboss defers to her.

It's no wonder she thinks she can bend the world to her will.

"It's fine, Frank," she says. "Thank you for the ride."

“Stephano will show you to your room,” I tell her, summoning one of my men with a quick gesture.

Gabriella’s eyes narrow as if she knows I’m purposefully avoiding her.

I hate that she can see through me.

"Frank and I have business to discuss." I keep my voice neutral, professional. "Maria is upstairs to help you unpack and get settled."

Once they're gone, I motion Frank into my office and close the door.

"Drink?" I offer, moving to the crystal decanter on my desk.

"Thank you, Don Calabresi." Frank accepts the glass with a respectful nod.

I settle behind my desk, studying Antonio's underboss.

He's been loyal for decades, a man Antonio trusts implicitly. I need to respect that.

“How is Antonio?” I ask.

“He’s the same.”

"I've doubled protection at the warehouse on Porter Street and implemented new verification protocols for all cash transactions." I take a sip of whiskey. "And I've put my best men on monitoring his accounts."

Frank looks up, surprise in his eyes. “You have access to his accounts?”

“He’s vulnerable now, Frank. I’m more worried about his money than I am his warehouses. Someone is targeting him, and we need to protect him until Luca gets his head out of his ass and comes home.”

“Of course.”

"These measures stay in place until January. By then, I hope we’ll have identified who's targeting him." I lean forward. "I need your help, Frank. You're his eyes and ears when I can't be there."

He bristles. “I’ve always been there for Don Monti.”

“I wasn’t insinuating you weren’t. I’m just pointing out that you’re the next line of defense.”

He nods but still seems suspicious of me.

I wonder if Gabriella has filled his head with all the nonsense about my taking over Antonio’s territory.

"Antonio was there for me when no one else was. I owe him this."

Frank finishes his drink and sets his glass on my desk. "Thank you for the drink, Don Calabresi. I'll make sure things run smoothly on our end."

I wait until Frank reaches the door, then clear my throat. "One more thing."

He turns, hand on the doorknob. "Yes, Don Calabresi?"