Chapter 8 Gabriella
GAbrIELLA
I struggle to maintain my composure. I won't give my father the satisfaction of seeing how Marco's threats affected me.
"Are you happy now?" My father’s voice cuts through the silence.
"Happy? That man just threatened us both and you're asking if I'm happy?"
He slams his palm against the wooden arm of the chair. "No, Gabriella. He threatened what would happen if you continue this dangerous game with the Feds. What were you thinking?"
“This agent approached me—"
"And you should have walked away immediately!" His face flushes red. "Do you understand what you've done? The danger you've put us in?"
I cross my arms. "I didn't tell him anything."
"It doesn't matter! Being seen with an FBI agent is enough."
He rubs his forehead, the gesture making him look older. "The moment anyone in our world suspects we're talking to law enforcement, we become targets."
"Marco is the target we should be worried about."
"Enough!” His outburst makes me flinch. "Marco has been the only thing standing between us and disaster for months."
"You can't possibly believe—"
"What I believe is that bringing in the Feds will destroy everything. They don't want to help us, Gabriella. They want to use us to bring everyone down. Best case scenario? We spend decades in prison. Worst case? We never make it to trial."
The gravity in his voice makes my stomach twist. "I was careful."
"There is no careful with the FBI. You think you understand our world because I've let you peek behind the curtain. But there are depths to this life you haven't seen."
I swallow hard, the fear I've been fighting finally taking root.
Not fear of Marco, but of what I might have set in motion.
"La Corona doesn't kill women," I say.
His laugh is short and bitter. "Is that what you're counting on? A code of honor?"
"They didn't kill Isabella," I counter, grasping for reassurance. "She talked to the Feds too, and they just—"
"They married her off to Roman, but that was no guarantee she’d be spared.
" He leans forward. "Do you know why she was given the option for marriage? Because La Corona understood she was seeking the truth about her mother's death. We had sympathy for her. But I’d be lying if there weren’t moments we all considered…”
He doesn’t finish the sentence, but he doesn’t have to.
I know what he means and I’m horrified.
“Lucky for her, Roman Ginetti, the most dangerous man in our world, chose to protect her."
I feel the blood drain from my face. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying Isabella had sympathy on her side. She had Roman's unexpected protection. You?" He gestures toward me, his hand trembling slightly. "You'll be seen as deliberately undermining La Corona. As a liability."
"But I'm your daughter," I whisper.
"And that's the only reason you're still breathing. My position has protected you, but even I have limits to my influence. Especially now."
The implication in his words makes my stomach drop.
La Corona would consider killing me.
"Dad…" My voice breaks.
"Do you think I want to have this conversation?" His eyes glisten. "I've given you freedoms no other Don would allow his daughter. I've been proud of your spirit, your intelligence. But you've crossed a line, Gabriella. You've put yourself in the crosshairs."
I sink into the chair opposite his, my legs suddenly unable to support me.
The panic flooding through me is unlike anything I've felt before.
This isn't the righteous anger that's fueled me for months.
This is pure, primal fear.
"I was trying to protect you," I say again, even knowing it doesn’t matter.
"And I'm trying to protect you." His voice softens. "But you need to understand, if you continue down this path, there may come a point where even I can't save you."
I've miscalculated everything. "What do you want me to do?"
“For one, stay away from the Feds. You have to stop what you’re doing."
I nod slowly, the fight draining out of me. "I'll be more careful," I promise, the words difficult to utter.
Submission has never come easily to me, but I know when to retreat and regroup.
“It may not be enough. Maybe you should think about going to stay with Luca. At least for a little while.”
I nod again, even though I have no intention of doing that.
As I leave his office, my mind is already calculating next steps.
I may yield to his authority at this moment, but I won't abandon my mission to protect him, especially now that I understand how vulnerable he truly is.
I just need to change my tactics.
I make my way to the back of the house and out to the terrace.
Frank, my father’s underboss, is there, lighting a cigarette. “Overheard your father explaining his arrangement with Calabresi. Came out for a smoke until I knew he was free."
I wrap my arms around myself against the December chill. "Do you believe it? That Don Calabresi is helping us?"
Frank exhales a stream of smoke. "It's true they have an agreement. Marco's been overseeing some of our operations, stepping in when your father…" He hesitates.
"When his mind fails him," I finish quietly.
It means he knew what was going on the first time I told him of my suspicions and asked him to keep an eye on things.
"But between us? I understand your reservations. I've never trusted Calabresi. Man like that doesn't do charity work."
My gaze jerks to his, a feeling of validation growing. "So you think I'm right to be suspicious?"
"I think power creates opportunity." Frank's eyes narrow. "And Marco Calabresi has never been one to waste an opportunity."
Relief floods through me.
Finally, someone besides a federal agent who understands. "I need your help, Frank. If Marco's truly helping us, fine. But we need insurance."
"What kind of insurance?"
"I want copies of everything. Contracts, meeting notes, financial records. Anything that passes between my father and Marco." I lower my voice. "We need to document every move he makes."
Frank studies me carefully. "Your father wouldn't approve."
"My father isn't thinking clearly." I hate that I’m going against his wishes, but if I don’t protect him, who will? "Someone needs to protect his legacy."
"And that someone is you?"
"Us," I correct him. "Will you help me?"
Frank crushes his cigarette under his shoe. "I've served your family for thirty years. I'm not about to let Calabresi take what's yours."
I left my father’s office terrified and defeated.
Now, I have an ally and a plan.
The next morning, I brew coffee strong enough to cut through the fog of a restless night.
My father's warning still echoes in my head.
It’s surreal to think my life could be forfeit if I continue challenging Marco.
But the alternative, being shipped off to Luca or worse, married off like chattel, is equally unacceptable.
Armed with my coffee, I lock myself in my room and spread documents across my bedroom floor, creating a map of our family's operations.
If I'm going to protect my father without getting myself killed, I need leverage, not just accusations.
My phone buzzes. Unknown number.
"Miss Monti, Agent Blackwood. I wanted to follow up on our conversation.”
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised he managed to get my number. He must have access to every database in the country.
I glance at my door, hoping no one is eavesdropping. "I'm still considering."
"Perhaps this will help your decision." His tone is casual. "I'm sending you some information. Evidence of Calabresi's movements against your family's interests."
My phone pings with incoming files.
"These documents show Marco Calabresi has been systematically inserting his people into your father's businesses," Blackwood continues. "We can protect your father. Full immunity. But we need your cooperation."
I scan the first document, financial records showing suspicious transfers between Calabresi and Monti accounts.
Initially, I feel a surge of anger that Marco has duped my father.
But as I study the docs, something feels off.
The patterns are too obvious, the paper trail too clean.
Surely, Marco is smarter than this.
“How’d you get these?”
“Let’s just say you’re not the only person who wants to bring Marco Calabresi to justice.”
Does that mean he has someone else in the family or La Corona helping him?
I think of Isabella, but in the year I’ve seen her, she seems truly happy with Roman.
She couldn’t be still working with Blackwood, could she?
"This is compelling," I lie, buying time. "But I'll need to verify—"
"We don't have time for verification, Miss Monti. Calabresi is moving quickly. Your father's mental decline gives him the perfect cover."
The casual mention of my father's condition, something that’s been kept carefully guarded, sends warning signals flaring.
Marco and my father made it sound like Don Vitale and Don Ferraza were unaware of my father’s decline.
So who would Agent Blackwood know if not someone within the Monti or Calabresi families?
"Exactly how did you come by this information?"
“As I said, we have our sources."
"Of course you do." I keep my voice neutral. "Let me review everything. I'll call you."
"Don't wait too long. Once Calabresi makes his move, I may not be able to protect you and your father.” He disconnects the call.
I stare at the documents, noticing inconsistencies in dates, signatures that don't quite match my father's.
Someone has handed over manufactured evidence or Blackwood has concocted it himself.
My phone rings again, this time Elena Vitale, Dominic’s cousin.
For a moment, I remember how Marco offered me over to Dominic for marriage, which would make me related to her.
But what I remember most is the pain I felt that he’d be okay with my marrying someone else.
It’s silly, of course.
I knew from that first night in the library last Christmas that Marco wouldn’t love me.
“Elena, hello.”
“Hey, Gab. Isabella and I are going to grab lunch today. Come join us.”
My first instinct is to say no.
But then I realize it could be an opportunity to get information from them about the families and maybe even Agent Blackwood.
I feel a little guilty about that since these women are my friends, but I have to do what I have to do to protect my father.
“I’ll be there.”
I arrive at the restaurant at the designated time, spotting Elena and Isabella already seated at a corner table.
They're deep in conversation, heads bent close, but break apart with bright smiles when they see me.
"Perfect timing," Elena says, pushing a glass of prosecco toward me. "We just ordered."
I slide into my seat. "Sorry if I'm late. It's been a chaotic morning."
Isabella studies my face. "You look troubled. Everything okay?"
The genuine concern in her voice makes me hesitate.
I take a sip of prosecco, considering my approach. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something, Isabella. About your… experience with the FBI."
The table goes quiet.
Elena glances around to ensure no one's listening.
Isabella's expression shifts, her guard rising visibly. "What about it?"
"I understand he was working on a case against the Calabresi family. I'm curious about their investigation. What exactly were they after?"
She exchanges a look with Elena before answering carefully. "He said he could help me find out who killed my mother and implicated Marco.”
“One of Marco’s captains was responsible, right? Any chance that Marco—”
“No.” Isabella stops me cold. “Salvatore betrayed him. Killed my mother to hide his efforts to ruin La Corona.”
I study her. “You’re sure about that?”
Elena’s eyes narrow. “What are you getting on about, Gabriella? It sounds like you’re questioning Marco.”
I shrug, realizing I’m revealing too much. “Just curious. I mean if the FBI was suspicious…”
Isabella leans forward. "Roman and I believe someone is playing a larger game, using the FBI to destabilize La Corona from within."
“But I thought Salvatore was dead. How can someone still be—”
Isabella interrupts me. “We think Salvatore was part of a larger faction, but before you ask, Marco isn’t a part of it. Why would he be? He’s part of La Corona. He wouldn’t want to bring it down.”
“Unless he wanted all the power.”
“Gabriella!” Elena chastises. “You don’t really believe that, do you?” Her eyes narrow. “Did the FBI contact you? Is that why you’re asking about him?”
Damn it, I’m still saying too much. “I just wonder about Marco’s attention toward my father lately. He seems overly involved.”
Elena bites her lip. “Well, there are concerns about your father. Dominic mentioned your father seems more forgetful lately. He says your father struggled to remember something at the monthly financial review and couldn’t remember approving a shipment through Naples.” She lowers her voice.
My stomach tightens.
“My father has expressed concern about your father as well. But they don’t talk about it at La Corona meetings out of respect,” Isabella shares.
“Maybe Marco sees it too and is helping him. They’re close,” Elena says reassuringly.
Isabella nods. "Roman has mentioned wishing Luca would return as he’s worried about your father as well."
Elena's face darkens immediately. "Luca." She practically spits the name. "He has no interest in family responsibility. He's perfectly content playing prince in Italy while others handle the hard work."
The vehemence in her voice startles me.
There's clearly history there I'm not privy to.
"You know what's ridiculous?" Elena continues. "You're just as smart and capable as he is. More so, even. If the old men weren't so stuck in their patriarchal ways, you'd be the obvious choice to take over."
It’s a sentiment I’ve held many times.
But as I learned yesterday, my actions to help my father have made him look weak, whereas no one would think twice about Luca doing them.
"She's right." Isabella nods. "Roman says you're the only one who caught a discrepancy in the Vancouver contract last week."
I sit back, something shifting inside me.
While I've been focused on Marco as a threat to my father, I may have missed the bigger picture.
More people suspect my father is failing than I realized.
It means more possible suspects in trying to take advantage of that, especially if Marco really is looking out for my father.
There really could be a wider conspiracy against La Corona.
And I'm wasting time fighting the one person who might actually be helping.
It speaks to why I need to stay and not be shipped or married off.
“You asked about the FBI. He hasn’t reached out to you, has he?” Isabella asks. “Because I’m not sure they can be trusted. When I was being fed misinformation about Marco's family, I was so certain I knew the truth. But sometimes, the real threat isn't who you think it is."
I nod as I begin to form a plan.
I need to get closer to Marco.
Not just to ensure he’s helping, not hindering, my father’s business, but also to uncover who's really targeting my family if it’s not him.