Page 122 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride
"Stop." I cut her off, keeping my voice low. "Whatever you're selling, I'm not buying."
“I have something you’ll want if you’re still interested in finding her killer.”
“Right. At what cost?”
“I’m wondering what you might know about Dominic Vitale.”
"I don't know anything about the Vitales," I say firmly, glancing at Angelica who's still distracted by the Christmas display. "Although I doubt he killed my mother. Now, I'd appreciate it if you'd leave."
Ricci smiles thinly. "You're loyal to La Corona now? That's a quick turnaround for someone who was desperate to escape just weeks ago."
“What choice did I have? You abandoned me. You don’t care about me or my mother’s case.”
She leans closer. "I think you'll change your mind when you hear what I have to say."
"I doubt it."
"Your mother kept a notebook."
I struggle to keep my expression neutral. "She had many notebooks."
"But this one is special. What's in those pages would turn your perfect little Mafia family inside out."
My hands tremble beneath the table. My mother's notebook. I'd forgotten about it until Roman mentioned it. He’d gone to my father asking about it, so he clearly thinks it’s important.
I stare at Agent Ricci, wanting to pull off the same impassive demeanor as Roman. “I doubt it.”
Ricci reaches into her coat and slides a photo across the table. It's the notebook, unmistakable with its worn leather cover and my mother's initials embossed in the corner.
I pull my hand back before touching it. "What do you want?"
"Just information." Her voice drops lower. "About Dominic Vitale. Not your father, not your husband. Just Vitale."
I glance at Angelica, still blissfully unaware as she arranges stuffed animals in the display.
I’m playing with fire here.
What would Roman say if he knew I was talking to an FBI agent right now? After I promised him I wouldn't?
But this is my mother's notebook. Her thoughts, her secrets, possibly even the truth about her death. It’s something he wants to know about too.
"What kind of information?"
"Access. Schedules. Movements. Nothing too scandalous." She shrugs.
I laugh bitterly. “Telling you the brand of liquor they drink could be seen as a betrayal.” I shake my head. “What does it have to do with my mother?"
"Nothing, probably. I just know I have something you want and am willing to hand it over to you… copies, of course, in exchange for information."
I stare at Agent Ricci. "You're wasting your time. I know nothing about Dominic Vitale's movements or schedules."
"I find that hard to believe." Ricci's smile doesn't reach her eyes. "La Corona families socialize regularly."
"As an FBI agent, you should understand how this works." I lean forward slightly. "I'm a woman in an arranged marriage. Do you think they invite me to sit in on their meetings? Do you think my husband comes home and details his day to me? I'm decorating Christmas cookies and picking out holiday dresses, not planning shipments."
Ricci's expression shifts. "But you and Elena Vitale have become close, haven't you? She visits your home. You talk."
My stomach drops. They've been watching me. Watching my home. Watching Angelica.
