Page 38 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don
"You were lucky." I shrug. "Most aren't."
"This solution worked for Roman and Isabella," Antonio points out, and I can see how badly he wants me to marry his daughter.
There isn't a lot I wouldn't do for Antonio, but marrying Isabella is one of them.
I turn back to Gabriella, whose shock has morphed into something else, a mixture of anger and something I can't quite identify.
“Like I said, I’m not bringing a Judas into my home, into my life. So, no, Antonio. Your solution isn't viable. Not now. Not ever."
“You are a…” Her words drop off and somehow, the unsaid words gut me even though I don’t know what they are.
She turns to her father. “I’m not talking to the FBI. He approached me and I used the opportunity to find out what they knew.”
“About me, no doubt.” Thinking she was planning to use the FBI to put me away helps relieve the guilt and pain over my harsh words to her.
“Absolutely,” Gabriella spits, stepping toward me with clenched fists. "I was trying to find out what they knew about you!"
The fire in her eyes is impressive. Even furious, she's magnificent.
“And what do they have?”
She shakes her head. She’s so pissed, she can’t even speak.
Antonio sighs heavily, dropping into a chair.
The strain of our argument is taking its toll on him, another reason I need to end this quickly.
"If marriage is the solution you want," I tell Antonio, "Dominic Vitale would be a suitable alternative. Or Leo. He’s been widowed–”
“Leo!” She gapes at me.
I shrug. “Anyone but me, sweetheart. Dom is a good choice. He's young, ambitious, and part of La Corona. He'd keep you from torching everything we've all built.. And he's not opposed to marriage like I am."
"You're suggesting I marry a man I don’t love?" Her voice rises incredulously.
"As opposed to marrying a man you hate?" I counter. "Seems like an improvement. You might have a chance at happiness with him."
She crosses her arms. "Don't pretend you're concerned about my happiness, Marco. We both know better."
"This isn't about happiness. It's about survival."
"My survival doesn't require me to be traded like cattle," she hisses.
"Your survival requires you to start thinking like a member of this family instead of a petulant child," I retort, my patience finally snapping. "Dominic would keep you in line and protect your father's interests. Two birds, one stone."
I turn away from Gabriella, unable to look at her anymore without wanting to either shake her or kiss her, neither of which would help our current situation.
"You have two options, Antonio. Send Gabriella to Italy until this blows over, or I'll bring the situation to La Corona." I hate to give him an ultimatum, but it’s clear Gabriella isn’t going to change her behavior.
Gabriella goes still, the color draining from her face. "You wouldn't dare.”
"Try me." I meet her gaze unflinchingly. "I've spent a year covering for your father, protecting your family's interests while you've been undermining everything I've done. My patience is gone."
Antonio looks at me as if I’ve just cut him off at the knees. "Marco, please?—"
"I respect you, Antonio. More than anyone. But this isn't just about you anymore." I soften my tone slightly for him. "If La Corona learns that your daughter met with a federal agent, after what happened with Isabella, they won't be as understanding as I've been."
Gabriella swallows hard. "They'd kill me."
