Page 61 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

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My heart thumps hard. My chest fills with sensations that terrify me.

It jolts me back to reality.

This is exactly what I can't afford.

Not when I can’t give her the promises she deserves.

I drop my hand and step back, the spell broken.

"Goodnight, Gabriella.”

Disappointment flashes across her face before she masks it with indifference. "Goodnight, Don Calabresi."

I wait until she's inside, the door firmly closed between us, before releasing the breath I've been holding.

Then I turn and walk away.

I should have done that a year ago in the library.

But even as I think that, I’m glad I didn’t.

Yes, it torments me.

But at least for one moment, I felt something I’d never felt before or since.

Love.

12

GABRIELLA

The door clicks shut behind Marco, and I blow out my breath.

The snap, crackle, pop between us is stronger than ever.

Good lord, I nearly kissed him.

And if I had, I would have probably dragged him into this room and had my way with him.

Amped up on arousal, I decide to take a warm bath to settle my nerves before going to bed.

I run the bath as hot as I can stand it, pouring in scented oils I found in the bathroom cabinet.

I can’t imagine Marco ordering bath oils, so it must be something his staff takes care of.

Sinking into the water, I close my eyes as heat seeps into my muscles, releasing tension from the day.

What a crazy day it’s been.

For so long, I’ve been waging a war against Marco, convinced he was plotting against my father.

I've gathered evidence, stalked his businesses, even entertained an FBI agent's proposition.

Not once did I second-guess myself.

Not until this week.

Not until tonight.

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