Page 14 of Secret Mafia Daddy

CATARINA

I swallow hard, looking at Angelo, the realization sweeping across his face. Then anger contorts his features, and I draw back with Chelsea in my arms.

“Catarina,” he says in a warning tone.

“We’ll talk about this later,” I say in a hoarse whisper, and hurry outside to transfer Chelsea’s car seat into Angelo’s car and buckle her in. She’s already sleeping again when Angelo comes outside, trailing after us, his face terrifying, brown-amber eyes flashing.

“What the hell is this, Catarina?” he growls, standing outside the car.

I cross my arms over my chest in defense, as if it will help me if he decides to hurt me. I have no idea what Angelo will decide to do, and part of me is terrified.

The other part of me....is excited but afraid. I’m this close to finally getting out of the city and away from my father. I can be with this wild, dangerous man who’d made me come so hard I’d seen stars. But what if finding out the truth has him changing his mind? I don’t know how to feel, and everything’s confusing.

“She’s yours,” I say simply, and he barks out a bitter laugh.

“I know that, Catarina, it’s like I’m looking in the fucking mirror except for her hair, which is all you. Why the hell didn’t you call me?” he growls, stepping closer to me.

I back away, toward the car. “Because it’s not like you left your number, Angelo,” I snap back. “You fucked me and then left me alone with a baby in my belly.”

“I didn’t know,” he insists, his mouth twisted in a snarl. “And you should have told me.”

I sigh. “I didn’t know for weeks, Angelo, and by then, you were in the wind. I looked for you in clubs and bars around the city, but I couldn’t find you.”

None of it is a lie, I really did keep my eye out for him when I went out, but I could have maybe done more. Only, I know that he’s not the kind of guy to stick around, that much was clear even that one night.

“You didn’t look hard enough!” he shouts, and I brace myself against the car, my heart pounding. His mouth twists in a sneer. “You think I’m going to hit you?” he asks.

“Maybe,” I say in a shaking voice. “You just killed someone and almost did the same to me. I don’t know you, so who’s to say you won’t?”

“I never hit women unless they are a threat to my life. For now, and until we are married, you are a threat to me,” he says in a warning tone. “I won’t hit you. But don’t forget that I own your life, even if I don’t own you.”

I take in a deep breath. “Is that what I have to look forward to? Trying to protect myself and my daughter while you decide whether or not to kill me?”

“I would never hurt my daughter,” he barks.

“How should I know?” I take in a ragged breath. “Tell me right now, Angelo. Do I have to worry about you offing me the whole time we’re married, or what? If so, you might as well do it right now.”

“I could,” he says, as if mulling it over. “I could do it and take my daughter.” My heart races and he pauses. “But you’re the mother of my child, for better or for worse. I won’t hurt you.” He pauses again. “Not ever.”

I nod. “Good to know. Now let’s go,” I say quietly, not breaking eye contact with him.

Angelo shoves off the car and yanks the door open, getting inside. Luckily, my Chelsea sleeps like the dead, so she doesn’t wake.

I sigh heavily and get in the passenger side.

This is the price for my ticket to a better life, but it’s going to be a wild ride.

* * *

We arrive at the hotel in about half an hour, and I fall asleep halfway through.

When we get there, I step out of the car. I wobble as we walk toward the building since I don’t wear heels very often. Angelo steadies me with one hand on my lower back as I’m carrying Chelsea.

“Let me have her,” he says, and it doesn’t seem like a request. I’m afraid to hand her over, but I don’t really have a choice, so I do.

Angelo takes her gently and she promptly puts her head on his shoulder. It’s nearing daylight and poor baby is exhausted from being woken up and jostled around.

I bite my lip, thinking about how I’ll have to tell her that Angelo is her father. I wonder how she’ll react.

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