Page 56 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

“Proof I’m out to steal your family business.” My blood runs cold as I see photos of me meeting with Antonio's captains, documents showing transfers between our businesses, all of it legitimate but skewed to make me look guilty.

She meets my gaze, her eyes clear and direct. "I'm not sure what to believe anymore. That's why I'm here."

She still suspects me but apparently is going to give me the benefit of the doubt. Or she wants me to dig myself into a deeper hole.

“How do I know you’re not going to skew everything into your warped belief that I’m out to hurt your father?”

“You don’t. And I have no reason to trust that you won’t skew the information to hide your true intentions, but here we are.” She taps the table impatiently. "Show me what I'm missing. Show me who else wants my father ruined."

I study her face, searching for deception, but see only determination.

As irritating as she is, I have to admire how she’s willing to risk everything, including her life, to protect her father.

"All right," I concede. "Let's see what you've got."

I sift through her notes and records, most of which I recognize as the work I’ve done with Antonio.

I point to a document. “He signed this and you still think I’m?—”

“We both know my father can be manipulated.”

And she believes I’d do that.

I resist pressing my hand over my chest to rub the stab of pain there. “And you think I’d do that.”

I look down at the papers so she doesn’t see how much that bothers me. “Good to know.”

“It almost sounds as if I hurt your feelings.”

“I’m soulless, remember?” I say, tossing her words about me back at her.

“Marco…”

I wave away whatever she might say. “What did Blackwood give you?”

She purses her lips at me but pulls out her phone, and after a few taps, hands it to me.

I go over the information.

I have to admit, it’s compelling.

“I can see why you’d believe him, but this is all bullshit.”

She arches a brow. “It’s partially bullshit, at least.”

“The question is, how’d he get this? It isn’t from a warrant.” For me, it’s proof that there still must be someone on the inside feeding Blackwood information, and Blackwood is using it to manipulate people he thinks he can turn against the family.

Gabriella nods. "Someone's feeding him information."

"Not just anyone. Someone with access to La Corona's inner workings."

The question is, is this someone from my business?

After all, I’ve got access to Antonio’s business so my men could be behind this.

Or is it one of Antonio’s men?

And is this a part of what Salvatore was up to before Roman killed him or is this something completely different?