Page 98 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

"I know you don't want to marry," he says with disappointment. "That was never your path. But if something happens to me?—"

"Nothing's going to happen to you," I interrupt. The thought of losing Antonio, my mentor, the closest thing to a father I've ever truly had, sends a chill through me.

He waves away my protest. "We both know what's happening to me. My mind…" He taps his temple. "Some days are better than others. But it's getting worse. I know it. You know it. Gabriella knows it."

I clench my jaw, hating the helplessness I feel. "Then call Luca home. He should be here, not in Italy."

“Luca will be home at Christmas. I’ll speak to him then.” His eyes harden, turning serious. "But I need your word on something else."

“Alright.”

"Promise me you'll look after Gabriella. Not just during this clusterfuck we’re in now, but always. No matter what happens."

My gut clenches. “Antonio, that’s under Luca’s?—”

“Luca will protect her, but I want you to as well. You know her, Marco. She’s smart but headstrong. I can’t deny I wish we could make a match, but…” He holds a hand up as if he knows I’ll protest. “Short of that, you can promise me to look out for her. Keep her safe. When she does marry, make sure he’s good to her. Be a godfather to her children. Can you do that for me?”

It's the earnest emotion in his voice that sways me.

"I promise. I'll protect her with my life."

Antonio nods, satisfaction settling across his features. "Thank you."

I nod and even give him a wan smile, feeling a little sick to my stomach at the commitment I’ve just made.

I haven’t agreed to marry her, but I’m tied to her until death do us part, nonetheless.

18

GABRIELLA

I leave my father’s office to go upstairs and pack a few more things for my extended stay with Marco.

As I round the corner toward the stairs, Frank steps into my path.

"Frank!" I rush forward. "Are you okay? Marco told me about what happened at the warehouse."

He straightens his posture, but I can see the exhaustion in his eyes. "I'm fine. Nothing I haven't handled before. Don Calabresi is the one who took the brunt of the attack. Suffered losses.”

I shake my head. “He says it was an ambush targeting all of you.”

Frank’s expression tightens. "It was… unexpected. Professional. Not your typical turf war thugs." He glances down the hallway. "How's your father doing?"

“He’s having a good day. Clear. But he’s concerned, of course.” I study Frank's face. "You were there. Did you see anything unusual? Anything that might help us figure out who's behind this?"

Frank gives a curt shake of his head. "Nothing. It’s disconcerting." Frank rubs his temple. "Listen, Gabriella, be careful around Calabresi.”

"I trust him, Frank." The words come out without hesitation.

“I still have concerns. This situation is more dangerous than any of us anticipated." Frank moves closer, lowering his voice. “The attackers last night only went after Calabresi and his men. Staying with him puts you directly in the crosshairs of whoever is behind this. These people want him dead. What happens if you're with him when they try again?"

His words send a chill through me, not because I fear Marco but because I fear for him. "All the more reason to help figure out who's doing this."

Frank sighs. "There's something else you should know. Some of your father's men are worried they'll be blamed for the ambush."

"What? That's ridiculous."

“Like I said, Calabresi was clearly the target, while Monti men were left untouched. If it were reversed, I’d be suspicious. After all, at one point, you were certain Calabresi was after your father’s territory. It wouldn’t be a stretch for him to think Monti men were protecting that territory.”