Page 8 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

"This is my house. I decide who stays and who goes."

She doesn't back down, but she swallows hard. "You can't just?—"

"I can. And I will." I cut her off. "You have exactly thirty seconds to leave this room with your dignity intact, or I'll have you removed."

Antonio steps toward me. "Marco?—"

I hold up a hand, silencing him without taking my eyes off Gabriella.

"Your daughter is disrespecting me in my own house, Antonio. Would you allow that in yours?"

He sinks back. “No. And I apologize for my daughter.”

“Don’t apologize for me!” she snaps.

Her heated gaze bores into me. I’m sure she wishes she could vaporize me. "You wouldn't dare toss me out."

I turn slightly, nodding to Carlo. "Escort Ms. Monti out. Now."

Carlo steps forward, professional and impassive. "This way, please, Ms. Monti."

She looks at me with such hatred, it’s hard to believe I once thought she might love me.

That I might have once loved her.

2

GABRIELLA

I didn’t used to be like this.

Oh, sure, I’ve always been headstrong and determined, but I wasn’t a bitch.

I’ve always gone through life with the glass half full. Always seizing the day and doing it with joy and laughter.

People used to tell me my laugh could brighten a room. Dad always said I got my mother's sunshine.

Even through law school, when everyone else cracked under pressure, I maintained my optimism, my joy for life.

Now look at me. Suspicious, angry, constantly on edge.

All because I overheard Marco talking to Roman about taking over my father’s territory nearly a year ago.

Those words changed everything.

One minute, I was falling for this stern, serious man who somehow softened when we were alone, and the next, I realized I was just a pawn in his game to get to my father.

Marco changed me, and I hate him for it.

I stand my ground, heat rising to my cheeks as Marco threatens to have me removed like I'm some unwanted stray that wandered in off the street.

The audacity of this man!

"You don't intimidate me, Marco." My voice doesn't quaver, though inside I'm a storm of fury.

I know I’m playing with fire.

It’s quite possible that Marco will request I be punished for such disrespect.