Page 14 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

None of this makes any sense to me, but I can’t commit too much energy to trying to untangle what is happening right now. I can’t afford to be distracted.

“You are not going to ruin my wedding!” Grazia shouts, stalking over to stand in front of me. I have to admire her gumption.

She takes a stance between me and her brother where he is holding Kate hostage. “I don’t know who this woman is, but you are not going to ruin my perfect day just to take her with you. Someone needs to explain what is going on before we are going to let anyone go anywhere.”

I smirk at the fiery little woman with big brown eyes standing before me. “Look, Grazia, isn’t it? I don’t want to ruin your wedding. But you see, Marco made it so that I couldn’t even walk down the aisle with the bride I have been intended to marry since we were little children. Kate and I are destined to be together, and there are important trade routes that I want that her family controls. They don’t have any other daughters, you see, so Kate is my only option to get my money.”

This is, of course, the simplest way to explain to other people my longing to get Kate. The fact is, she belongs to me. It’s been designed this way for as long as I can remember. Now, the time has come for me to claim what’s mine. The need is primal.

Grazia sneers at me. “All you men and your ‘trade’ deals. Maybe you should marry your money instead of us.”

I laugh. I can’t help it. I see now why Marco wants to marry this mouthy little Baldini. “Well, when that becomes legal, I might just consider it.”

“You aren’t going to be considering much of anything for a while,” I hear a voice say, and then everything goes dark.

Chapter Six

Kate

I cry out when Enzo hits Elio on the back of the head, sending his body to the floor in a heap. I’m instantly angry at myself for being upset on his behalf.

What is wrong with me? He just tried to kidnap me, and yet I’m concerned about him being hurt.

I struggle a little against Luca’s grip, but he grinds the gun into my temple again and I go still.

“Thank goodness,” Grazia says with a huff. “That asshole. Threatening to ruin my wedding.” She glances over at Luca and rolls her eyes. “Let her go, Luca. She’s not our problem.”

“Actually, I think she can be our solution to a variety of problems,” Enzo says smoothly. He gestures to Luca, who removes the gun from my temple, but he doesn’t let go of me.

“In what way?” Marco asks. He has struggled to his feet, and he gives me a regret-filled look from across the room. I want to spit on him for letting all of this happen to me, but he’s too far away.

Luca releases my neck, but drops his hand down to grip my bicep in a painful grasp. “You’re thinking about getting the La Rosa trade routes,” he says to Enzo.

Enzo pushes a toe into Elio’s side, smiling a little. “Yes. He’s never been willing to share with us or make a deal.” He looks up into my face. “I think he might be more motivated now.”

I look over at Marco, pleading with my gaze for him to do something. He has taken his pocket square out and is dabbing at his battered face with it.

He looks at me for a moment, then says, “I promised Kate to keep her safe when she wanted to end her engagement to La Rosa seven years ago. Taking her away from Mexico and delivering her to Elio on a silver platter would force me to break my promise.”

“Is the child yours?” Grazia asked, her voice sharp.

Marco slowly shakes his head. “No. It’s Elio’s.”

Grazia sags with relief. “Well, thank goodness for small favors,” she mutters.

She turns toward her brothers. “Can’t you just let La Rosa have her? You know his reputation. I don’t think it’s worth tangling with him.”

Enzo tilts his head to the side as he looks at me. “Oh, I think it will be simple enough. No one has to get hurt. He seems quite attached to the idea of getting you back. He will only be more motivated when I tell him that your child is not Marco’s, but is actually his. I think he will play ball with us.”

“Please don’t do that,” I whisper to Enzo. “Please, I’ll do anything to protect Mateo. He doesn’t deserve to live like this.”

“You should have thought of that before you got knocked up,” Luca says coldly.

“Luca…” Marco starts to say, but Enzo cuts him off.

“Enough!” he says loudly and everyone falls silent. “Marco, go get me something to tie these two up. Luca, call the airport and have them prepare our plane. I’ll send the plane back to get the rest of you tomorrow. We don’t have long to take action, and I’m not wasting any more time arguing about what needs to be done here.”

“Please,” I beg Enzo. I hear Luca on the phone behind me talking to their pilot. “Please don’t do this. Elio is dangerous. He will kill you all if you cross him. He could kill me and my son. Why do you think we were in hiding for so long?”

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