Chapter 20 Gabriella #2
His eyes watch me, assess me, and I’m worried I’ve overplayed my hand. “I believe Marco Calabresi is working to bring La Corona down or replace it with just one family.” He pauses. “I don’t know an ‘architect’, but I’d suspect it’s Calabresi. He’s his father’s son, after all.”
His statement takes me off-guard. “What do you mean by that?”
He shrugs and sips his coffee. “His father was power hungry. Felt La Corona was holding him back. He lacked what his son has—charisma and patience. Marco Calabresi is slowly dismantling La Corona. He’s got a leg into Ferraza’s business by marrying his underboss to Ferraza’s daughter.
Ferraza has no sons, so where will his business go when he dies?
” He lets that statement sink in for a moment.
“And he’s slowly taking over your father’s business. Soon it will be Don Vitale, unless you help me stop him.”
When he puts it that way, Marco does look suspicious.
“I’ve given you what I know, except that they’re planning a meeting.” I drop the final piece of bogus information. I slide a slip of paper to him. “This is the date and location.” I stand. “That’s all I can do. Don’t contact me again.”
“What about your immunity agreement?”
“That’s not worth the paper it’s printed on.” I shake my head, showing disappointment in him. “You’re not much better than the men you’re trying to bring down when you offer shady deals like that.” I turn and walk away, pulling out my phone to order a car.
When it arrives, I climb in and give him my father’s address.
Then I text Marco to let him know that the meeting is done.
A moment later, my phone rings.
“You okay?” Marco asks when I answer.
“Yes, of course. You’re lucky I don’t still think you’re an asshole. Blackwood paints a convincing story that you’re the one behind the attempts to bring down La Corona.”
“Fucker.”
“Indeed.”
“Roman’s following you, and so far, everything looks okay.”
“I’m going to my father’s house. He’s hosting Christmas this year and I want to help get that set up.”
There’s a long pause. “Since you don’t think I’m an asshole anymore and I know you’re not really talking to the Feds, you can return home… I mean… there’s no reason for me to be your guardian.”
My heart stutters in my chest.
This is it? We’re done?
“If you’re ready for your privacy—”
“I didn’t say that,” he snaps. He takes in a breath. “I just… fuck…”
I smile because I think Marco wants me to stay but he can’t get the words out. “I’ll be at your place tonight.”
Another pause. “Okay.”
At my father’s house, I throw myself into party preparations.
I check the flower arrangements, approve the final menu, and help the staff hang the last of the decorations.
I think about the decorations Marco arranged for his living room.
Another sign that he cares for me and yet, not enough to change his bachelor ways.
"Tesoro." My father enters the room. "Everything looks beautiful."
I smile at him, grateful he’s clear today while also wondering if this is the last Christmas we’ll have before his mind completely goes. "It's going to be the best Christmas party yet.” I hand him an ornament. “Help me decorate?”
“Everything went okay today?” he asks, sliding an ornament onto the branch of the already full Christmas tree.
“It went well. I don’t know who Agent Blackwood is talking to, but I know he has skimpy evidence and he sucks at immunity offers.”
“Yes, well, they want to put criminals in jail, not give them free passes.”
“Well, we’ll see what happens.”
My father’s housekeeper enters with warm cider and cookies. My father and I sit on the couch to admire our work.
“Will you be returning home soon? Marco indicated there was no need for him to keep an eye on you.”
My heart snaps.
I look down into my cider to hide how much it hurts that Marco is willing to let me go, even if a part of him wants me to stay. “I’ll be there another night at least. I’ll have to pack up my things.”
“Is something wrong, Tesoro?”
I shake my head and give him a wan smile. “No. Not at all.”
He sighs and turns his gaze to the fire in the fireplace. “You and Marco are good together. You’d make a good match.”
"Marco and I understand each other," I say carefully. "We're working together for the good of both families."
My father snorts. "Is that what you call it?"
"Dad." God, does he know how Marco and I spend our nights?
“I’m just saying you could do worse than being with Marco.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, well, we know how Marco feels about marriage.”
“What about you? How do you feel about it?”
I sigh. “I’d like to be married and have kids someday.”
“But not with Marco.”
I look at my father, wondering if he’s being forgetful again. “He doesn’t want to marry—”
“I’m getting senile, Gabriella, but I have eyes. I see the way you two are. You know… as a respected Don, I could insist he—”
I laugh. “I don’t want you to twist his arm. I want to be loved. He doesn’t love me.”
“You should be loved.” My father pats my hand. “I just want you to be taken care of when I… when my mind goes.”
“I’m a strong, independent woman, thanks to you. I don’t need a man to take care of me.”
“I know that, but as your father, I need to know you’ll be safe and happy when I can no longer protect you. Marco has agreed to provide that.”
“What?” I gape. What has he arranged?
“I just asked that he look after you, protect you.”
I rest my head on my dad’s shoulder. “He doesn’t want that sort of responsibility. He doesn’t want a family.”
"The love of a good woman can change any man.”
“You’re too much of a romantic,” I say, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
“It’s your mother’s fault.” He frowns. “When do you think she’ll be home?”
My heart sinks. In an instant, he’s in the past again.
“When is Luca arriving?” I change the subject and pray that when Luca sees how Dad is struggling, he’ll decide to stay on his own.
I have no doubt that my father has been hiding the severity of his condition from Luca, but he won't be able to when Luca is here to witness it in person.
“Soon.” He pats my hand again. “Soon, the family will be together for the holidays again.”
I take his hand and squeeze it.
Maybe Marco is right and it’s time for me to return home.
My father needs me.
I need to make sure Luca sees how important it is that he returns home and takes his place at the head of the Monti family.