Page 73 of Mafia Don's Secret Baby

Instead, I showered the blood from my skin.

I sat with all my thoughts and considered the best way to tell her the truth. I wanted to be a father. I wanted to be a part of their lives. But I didn’t want to feel that level of betrayal again. Never again. I wouldn’t accept another lie, and I wasn’t sure if I could trust her after this one.

I made my way to my office and began going through the mountain of paperwork that had piled up over the past few days.

How did I tell her everything without losing my temper?

Lilianna was mine, and she’d always be mine. I wouldn’t let her get away again. I needed time to accept what she did, but I wouldn’t miss another moment of my son’s life.

After what felt like hours, night had entirely fallen over the city, and I stood from my seat, striding toward their bedroom. I opened the door quietly and looked toward where I expected to find Callum and Lilianna lying in bed together.

Only, it was empty.

The pillows had been carefully arranged, and the bed was expertly made.

I glanced around the room and found all their clothes and belongings missing, as well. The room was as empty as it had been before they came.

I rushed toward the only thing left behind. A piece of paper.

Matteo,

I’m sorry for hurting you. I wanted you to understand, but I don’t think you’re going to. I stayed for you. I swore myself to my father’s men to get the justice my family deserves, but I only planned on staying for you. Everything is in motion to get the revenge Silas is owed. My father’s men will follow you.

We’re going to the airport to catch a plane back to Italy. I’m not going to stay where I’m not wanted.

With Love,

Lilianna

Everything around me came crashing down as I reread the letter again before it slipped through my fingers onto the floor.

She wouldn’t be leaving me again. I wouldn’t allow it.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lilianna Genovese

The war I waged within myself felt like it would never end.

Matteo’s guards hadn’t questioned me much when I’d left with nothing but the backpack on my back. And when I’d told them that Matteo urgently expected me, they hadn’t said anything as they watched me go.

Matteo’s guards were always alert to my comings and goings, so as soon as the elevator began descending, I grabbed a ballcap from the top of my bag along with a pair of bulky sunglasses and adjusted them to shield my face. I added a cap to Callum’s head and shifted his body in a way that concealed his face.

One of the guards posted at the elevator glanced over us and then continued his watchful gaze on the other passersby. To him, I was just another resident of the building, and I intended to keep it that way.

It was quick work to stride through the front doors as if I were doing nothing more than taking my son on a walk. Step into the street, hail a cab, and drive away.

Now, as I sat at the airport, waiting on a plane back to Italy, I thought about the reasons I’d stayed in the first place. My primary focus had been avenging my family’s murders, and I’d done everything possible to ensure that happened. Matteo wasn’t bringing me along on business endeavors. He wasn’t even telling me when he handled Russian threats.

There was nothing more I could do. Everything was in motion, and Matteo had control of enough forces to end this.

Maybe he’d find their bodies, too. Maybe everything would fall into place.

But for now, there was no reason for me to stay. If anything, we were in more danger staying at Matteo’s penthouse. He wasn’t around, and without his protection, we’d be better off in Italy, where nobody knew our location.

By the time anyone was able to find us, the war would be over.

Callum slept on a folded blanket on the floor, and I leaned back, resting my eyes as I waited for them to call the plane to board.

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