Page 114 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don
“I didn’t say that,” he snaps. He takes in a breath. “I just… fuck…”
I smile because I think Marco wants me to stay but he can’t get the words out. “I’ll be at your place tonight.”
Another pause. “Okay.”
At my father’s house, I throw myself into party preparations.
I check the flower arrangements, approve the final menu, and help the staff hang the last of the decorations.
I think about the decorations Marco arranged for his living room.
Another sign that he cares for me and yet, not enough to change his bachelor ways.
"Tesoro." My father enters the room. "Everything looks beautiful."
I smile at him, grateful he’s clear today while also wondering if this is the last Christmas we’ll have before his mind completely goes. "It's going to be the best Christmas party yet.” I hand him an ornament. “Help me decorate?”
“Everything went okay today?” he asks, sliding an ornament onto the branch of the already full Christmas tree.
“It went well. I don’t know who Agent Blackwood is talking to, but I know he has skimpy evidence and he sucks at immunity offers.”
“Yes, well, they want to put criminals in jail, not give them free passes.”
“Well, we’ll see what happens.”
My father’s housekeeper enters with warm cider and cookies. My father and I sit on the couch to admire our work.
“Will you be returning home soon? Marco indicated there was no need for him to keep an eye on you.”
My heart snaps.
I look down into my cider to hide how much it hurts that Marco is willing to let me go, even if a part of him wants me to stay. “I’ll be there another night at least. I’ll have to pack up my things.”
“Is something wrong,Tesoro?”
I shake my head and give him a wan smile. “No. Not at all.”
He sighs and turns his gaze to the fire in the fireplace. “You and Marco are good together. You’d make a good match.”
"Marco and I understand each other," I say carefully. "We're working together for the good of both families."
My father snorts. "Is that what you call it?"
"Dad." God, does he know how Marco and I spend our nights?
“I’m just saying you could do worse than being with Marco.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, well, we know how Marco feels about marriage.”
“What about you? How do you feel about it?”
I sigh. “I’d like to be married and have kids someday.”
“But not with Marco.”
I look at my father, wondering if he’s being forgetful again. “He doesn’t want to marry?—”
“I’m getting senile, Gabriella, but I have eyes. I see the way you two are. You know… as a respected Don, I could insist he?—”
