Page 140 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride
The sound of sobbing hits me first. Then my daughter's terrified voice.
"Daddy!" Angelica wails, her breath coming in hiccupping gasps. "Bad men—they took Isabella! They had guns and—and they broke the door and?—"
My blood turns to ice. "Angel, where are you? Are you safe?"
"Under the bed. Isabella told me to hide. I'm scared, Daddy!"
"Stay there. Don't move. I'm coming right now."
I end the call and spin toward the table where the Dons sit watching me. Rage boils up so fast I can barely see straight.
"What the fuck did you do?" I snarl, stalking toward them. "Was this meeting just a fucking ruse to get me out of the way while you took Isabella?"
Marco rises to his feet, alarm crossing his features. "What are you talking about?"
"Someone just took my wife from our home." I want to grab my gun and wipe them all from the face of this earth. "My daughter was there. She could have been killed."
Don Vitale shakes his head. "We didn't authorize this."
"Bullshit!" I slam my palm on the table. "I was told La Corona was ready to cut her loose. Now suddenly, armed men take her while I'm conveniently stuck in this meeting?"
Marco steps toward me, hands raised. "Roman, I swear to you, this wasn't us." Still, he looks around the room as if he’s concerned someone else took the problem into their own hands.
I look from face to face, Marco's concern, Vitale's confusion, Monti's shock, Ferraza's horror.
Either they're all Oscar-worthy actors or they really didn't know.
But if not them, then who?
I lock eyes with Marco, barely containing my fury. "I have to go. My daughter is alone and terrified."
"Roman—" Don Vitale starts, but I'm already moving toward the door.
"This meeting is over for me."
I don't wait for permission. I don't bow or show respect.
My little girl is hiding under a bed while armed men have taken my wife.
Nothing else matters.
Marco's voice follows me as I reach the door. "Roman! Remember your place."
I stop, turning slowly to face him. The room goes deadly silent.
"My place?" My voice comes out dangerously soft. "I've given my life to you, Marco. Loyalty. Blood. Sweat. Bodies buried. I've never questioned an order." I take a step toward him, past caring about consequences.
"But I will not give you Angelica's life. Or Isabella's, for that matter." I meet his gaze without flinching. "You'll have to kill me right now to stop me."
This moment could end my life. Challenging a Don in front of La Corona is unforgivable.
Finally, Marco's shoulders relax slightly. "I'm not going to kill you, Roman."
He turns to the other Dons. "Gentlemen, we'll reconvene later."
Without waiting for their response, he strides toward me. "I'm coming with you. We need to find out what the hell is happening."
I nod once, already pulling out my phone to call in backup as we head for the door.
