Page 50 of Married to the Mafia Monster

“The Eddie Murphy movie? Sure.”

“This is the same kind of thing. Your father got hold of a crop report. It’s highly valuable, but he can’t open it or the bidders will know it was compromised.

“He can’t use the information because it would be traced back to him, and he’d be jailed for insider trading. The person who gave it to him works in the crop report field and bribed or seduced an unknown employee to get it.

“Your father heard that the mob would pay good money for this intel. He’s holding a bidding war between two mob families. My own and Vince Russo’s.

“Only Vince decided it would be easier to torture your father to get hold of it. Daddy ran, leaving me to track him down before Vince could get to him. Report goes live in a couple of days, after that it’s useless.”

My heart sinks as the pieces start to fall into place. “My father worked in finance years ago. That’s why he’s involved. He must have some old contacts in the business.”

“Exactly,” Ricardo nods. “The crop report is for a new type of genetically modified corn. If it’s growing well, the value of standard corn will plummet because there will be more supply than demand. If it’s growing badly, the value of standard corn will soar because those relying on the GM crop will have to buy standard, increasing demand.”

“Should that mean anything to me?”

“All you need to know is this heat is decimating the new crop. With that information, I can buy a fuck ton of futures in standard. When the report goes live, the price will soar and I’ll be a very rich man.”

“So this is all about money?”

“Not just money. If Russo is given a fake version of the crop report, he’ll bet the house and lose. That’s what matters to me. Not just getting rich but making him poor. Same as in the movie.”

I swallow hard, the enormity of the situation sinking in. “So, you planned to steal the document from my father and then kill him to prevent him from telling anyone?”

“Correct except for the killing part. Russo kills people on a whim. I do it when there is no alternative. Your father would have been paid if he’d come straight to me but he chose to auction the report. That was foolish.”

Ricardo’s gaze is steady. “Yes. We need to track him down, or Russo will torture him into giving up the report’s location. I need you to call your father and tell him you must see him. While there’s still time.”

“Why couldn’t he tell me what he was looking for?”

“The more people know, the less useful the intel. Plus, Russo might have tortured you to see what you knew.” He smiles. “At least I know you’d have given him jack shit. You’ve got a hell of a spine, Bella. Now call your dad and arrange a meeting.”

I shake my head, defiance rising within me. “I’m not doing anything until I see Alex is alive for myself. For all I know, you’ve killed him already.”

THIRTY-THREE

Alex

I walk into the room, the crop report clutched tightly in my hand. My heart is pounding, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

I’m ready to deliver the news to Bella, but the sight that greets me stops me dead in my tracks. Ricardo is there, standing ominously in the middle of the room.

He turns to me with a smirk and I’m expecting him to shoot me.

“You’ve got yourself a good wife here,” he says. “She didn’t sell you out, would have died to keep your secrets. She’s welcome in this family anytime.”

Relief washes over me, quickly followed by guilt. I glance at Bella, who is staring at me with a mixture of anger and betrayal in her eyes. “Bella, I need to explain…”

Her expression hardens. “Explain what, Alex? That you were only dealing with me to get the crop report from my father?”

I take a deep breath, stepping closer. “Yes, that was the original plan. But things changed as soon as I met you. I fell in love with you, Bella. You changed everything for me. You’ve changed me by believing in me.”

Ricardo interrupts, his voice calm but firm. “Bella, I tested your loyalty. You passed. I’m happy to give you two permission to remain together, but now it’s time to end this. Call him.”

Bella’s eyes flicker with a mix of emotions. She takes a deep breath, then pulls out her phone and dials.

“Dad, it’s me. Alex got the crop report and I’m still alive. We need to meet you or Vince Russo will kill you. Where are you?”

She mutes the phone. “He wants me to come alone or he won’t meet. He’s worried you’ll kill him.”

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