Page 9 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

But not Alessio. No, he’s perfectly at ease. The bastard.

Enzo’s voice cuts through the tension like a guillotine. “The situation is worse than we thought.”

Everyone stills.

“The Bratva know. And while they haven’t retaliated,yet, that’s only because of James.”

My gaze flicks to my father, who doesn’t look up from his notes. Of course. He’s always been a man with secrets. And contacts.

Denver nods. “He’s worked with them before. PR cleanups. Quiet media buys. He’s got dirt. Leverage. And, for now, they’re letting this simmer instead of boiling. They owe him. Or at least, they’re wary of what he knows.”

He looks around until his eyes meet mine.

“But if the rumors about Alessio and Mikhail Orlov's daughter go public, if even a whiff of it reaches rival syndicates, the Bratva will have no choice. They’ll act.”

Valentino nods, tight-lipped. “They won’t risk looking weak.”

“Theycan’t,” Enzo says. “Letting something like this slide sets a dangerous precedent. If they don’t respond, it’s a sign. To every other crime family. Every enemy. That they can be pushed without consequence. That their leadership is compromised.”

My mouth goes dry.

Enzo shakes his head. “They won’t just come for Alessio to punish him. They’ll do it to make a statement. One that keeps them feared.”

This is so much worse than I thought.

This isn’t just a scandal.

This is a spark. One that could ignite and burn everything to the ground. Because this is the mafia, and if they declare war,

if the Bratva retaliates, the Marchetti name bleeds. The merger dies. Investors bolt. But if the Marchettis make a bold move, or try to shield Alessio too obviously, the Bratva's response will be even more violent.

My father finally speaks, calm and cool. “Which is why we need to control the narrative now. Pre-empt the exposure before it becomes public. Before it becomeslethal.”

Alessio’s eyes burn as they focus on my face. I don’t look back.

Enzo turns his piercing gaze to me, and my spine goes ramrod straight.

“Sophie will manage the crisis.”

This is no news, of course, but still, the words land like a slap in the face.

For a moment, silence swallows the room. Even Alessio stills.

My father doesn’t meet my eyes. Denver shifts in his chair like he wants to say something but thinks better of it. Valentino exhales through his nose, jaw locked like he’s barely holding in his opinion.

One night. One mistake. And now I’m supposed to babysit the man who almost ruined me?

Alessio is the first to speak, of course.

“Well, isn’t that a twist of fate?” Voice lazy, eyes sharp. “You sure you can handle me, princess?”

I clench my fists so hard my nails bite into my palms. My voice comes out low, tight. “You should be more concerned about whetheryoucan handle me.”

The heat crawling up my neck isn’t embarrassment, it’s rage. My pride and professionalism are being strangled by a name I swore I’d never say out loud again.

I turn to my father. “I don’t think this is a good idea. There are too many conflicts of interest. We should assign someone else.”

He finally lifts his gaze, calm and unreadable. “You’re the best person for this.”

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