Chapter 7 Marco #2
"My father needs me here."
I laugh derisively. "Not like this, he doesn't. You're going to get him killed or tossed in jail. Is that what you want?"
Antonio sighs heavily. "Marco has a point, Gabriella. Perhaps some distance would be—"
"I can't believe you're taking his side!" She turns on her father, hurt in her eyes. "After everything I've done to protect you?"
"That's exactly the problem," I interject. "Your version of protection is making things worse. You think you're helping, but you're creating vulnerabilities."
It’s ironic that her impulsivity is both her strength and her greatest weakness.
The same trait that led her to my library last Christmas, that made her break things off without confronting me about why, that drove her to meet with a federal agent in broad daylight.
She acts on instinct, on emotion, with little regard for consequences.
"You rush into situations without thinking them through," I continue. "You make decisions based on what you feel or think rather than what you know. And in our world, that gets people killed."
Her cheeks flush with anger. "Don't pretend you know me."
"I know enough." The memory of her body against mine flashes unbidden. "I know you're reckless. Headstrong. Too convinced of your own righteousness to see the damage you're causing."
Antonio raises a hand. "Marco, please."
But I can't stop now.
"Every business you've visited is now under scrutiny. Every captain you've questioned is now wondering why you’re there and not Antonio. You’re undermining your father’s authority and power, making them question who’s really in charge.
And now the FBI knows there's discord in the Monti family.
" I shake my head. "Your impulsiveness isn't just dangerous. It's potentially fatal."
She stares at me with pure hate. "So your solution is to exile me? To send me away like I'm the problem?"
"You are the problem," I say flatly. "And until you can see that, distance is the only solution that doesn't end with bloodshed."
The tension in the room is suffocating.
Fury radiates from Gabriella while I maintain my cold exterior even as rage boils inside me.
This woman drives me to madness with her stubborn refusal to see reason.
Antonio clears his throat. "There is another solution. One that would protect Gabriella, secure our family's position, and satisfy La Corona."
I turn to him, immediately wary of his tone.
"A marriage alliance."
The words hang in the air for a moment before their meaning registers.
My body goes rigid.
"Between the two of you,” he finishes.
"What?" Gabriella and I speak simultaneously, her voice high with shock, mine low with disbelief.
Antonio continues as if he hasn't noticed our reaction. "It makes perfect sense. Marco already oversees much of our business. As my son-in-law, his position would be legitimate. La Corona would see it as strengthening our families, not as a takeover."
That’s not completely true.
I have no doubt Dom and Leo would wonder about the future of the Monti family if Luca doesn’t return.
If I run both businesses, I have more power, something I’m sure they wouldn’t like.
Gabriella recovers first, letting out a bitter laugh. "That's absurd. Everyone knows Marco Calabresi has no ability to love. His heart is as cold as his reputation."
“Gabriella…” Antonio shakes his head in disappointment.
Her words pierce deep, but I refuse to let her see it.
I step toward her, closing the distance between us, ignoring her scent, the heat of her body.
"I could change my mind. For the right reasons. At least as your husband, I could control you, keep you from destroying everything your father has built with your recklessness."
The color drains from her face. For once, she has no quick retort, no fiery comeback.
My words have effectively shut her up. Good!
“It’s a good arrangement. Makes me glad you didn’t marry Isabella.”
Wait. What? I haven’t agreed to this. I can’t agree to this.
I shake my head, stepping back from Gabriella's stunned face.
"No." I turn to Antonio, my voice firm. "This isn't happening."
"But you just said—" Antonio begins, but I cut him off with a raised hand.
"Gabriella is right about one thing." I glance at her. "I have no interest in marriage. Especially not to a woman who'd disrespect her father and betray her family by meeting with federal agents."
The words hit their mark. Gabriella flinches as if I've slapped her.
“Despite what you think, I’m not incapable of love, but that’s not what is proposed here, is it? An arranged marriage in our world has nothing to do with love.” I look directly at Antonio. "You know this better than most. You married for duty, not passion."
Antonio's expression softens. "And yet, I found happiness with Gabriella's mother. More than I ever expected."
"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."
“Maybe.” I nod, glad she finally understands the gravity. "Or they'd force a marriage, not to me, of course. Or maybe they’ll come up with something even worse than anything I've suggested today."
Antonio looks completely defeated. "Gabriella, perhaps—"
"Three days," I cut in. "You have three days to decide. Either she's on a plane to Italy, or I bring this to the next meeting."
I straighten my suit jacket, a strange sense of victory washing over me even as my chest feels like it’s in a vise.
This is what needs to be done, for Antonio, for La Corona, for all of us.
The fact that it will also remove the constant temptation of Gabriella from my life is a bonus.
"For what it's worth," I say, pausing at the door, "I never wanted it to come to this."
Her eyes flash with defiance even now. "You never wanted me at all."
That’s not true, but of course I can’t tell her that.
At this point, it wouldn’t matter.
I turn without responding and stride out of the office.
Behind me, I can hear Antonio's quiet voice trying to reason with his daughter, but her heated responses tell me this battle is far from over.
Good. Let her fight.
Let her rage.
As long as she does it from the safety of Italy, far from Blackwood's reach and far from me.