Page 69 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Prince

“Hand over Gianna, I know you have her, and I will help you with your little shipment-getting-seized problem,” Mateo says, his tone too relaxed for my liking.

I let out a menacing laugh, the sound reverberating through the room like a cold, mirthless echo. “Oh, Mateo, you really are a bold one, aren’t you?” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. The men around me shift uncomfortably, their eyes darting towards me with obvious nervousness.

Mateo tries to explain, but I cut him off, my laughter still echoing in the air.

“No, Caruso. You're not getting Gianna. She’s mine. I have plans for her, and no one, especially not you, is going to get in my way."

My voice is much colder now, with quite a firmness to it, as I make myself clear to Mateo. “You’ll have to do better than that if you want to make a deal with me, Mateo.”

I end the call with Mateo and toss the phone at Vito, who catches it.

Just as I’m about to turn my attention back to the matter at hand, the radio crackles to life, and a voice announces, “Salvatore Mancini...”

Chapter twenty

Gianna

Oh God, oh God, oh God...

My heart is racing, my palms are sweating, and my mind is a jumble of terrified thoughts. I’m being led somewhere, but I have no idea where or why.

The darkness is suffocating me, making me feel sick. The mask over my face is tight, slightly constricting my breathing. I can’t see anything and my tied hands are making me feel completely helpless.

The sound of our footsteps echoes off the walls with every step we take. It makes it seem like we’re in a massive, empty space. It’s a warehouse, I’m sure of it.

What changed? What’s Luca going to do to me?

My fear is palpable, and my senses are heightened as I try to take in every detail. I’m trying to calm myself down, but it’s no use. I’m scared—so scared.

“Where the fuck are you taking me?”

“Shut it,” a guard replies.

I feel a tug on my arms as I am pushed gently. It causes me to stumble, my foot catching on something, but I’m caught by a firm grip. My heart skips multiple beats as I’m steadied, but I don’t know if I should be grateful or terrified.

My mind is racing, and when we finally stop, I’m left standing in a spot.

I’m trying to steady my breaths, straining my ears to pick up any sound. I need to know where they’ve brought me.

“Mmm... location... trade...?” someone whispers.

It’s hard to make out what they’re saying, but the words send a chill down my spine.

“Shh... not so loud...” another voice hisses.

“...don't want... to risk....” a third voice chimes in.

I’m trying to piece together what they’re saying as I continue to listen.

Something is happening and I have no fucking idea what it is. I’m trying to wriggle free, but it’s impossible. My tied wrists are straining against the ropes.

“...Gianna...” someone whispers.

My heart skips a beat.

“Who the hell are you?” My senses are on high alert as I stand there, frozen in fear. The sound of a car approaching grows louder, and I tense up.

The man holding me doesn’t move, so I remain still. It's all dark with the textile over my head.

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