Leo shouldn’t be anywhere near the bar. It’s too dangerous, between Johnny, my father, and any other men in my father’s organization that seem to hang around like barflies. They’re always on the lookout and willing to take out any threat before the enemy has a chance to strike first.
I push open the door and gasp.
My father’s holding a gun straight out in front of him, and it’s pointing at Leo’s face. “Get out of here, Daphne,” he says, only glancing at me for a moment before bringing his eyes back to Leo.
I don’t move. I can’t. I’m too petrified that my father will accidentally pull the trigger. “Papa, don’t,” I plead, clutching my chest as I try to breathe.
“He’s the enemy. It’s too dangerous for you to be here.”
“Mr. Gallo, I’m only here to speak with you,” Leo says, but he doesn’t move, knowing full well my father wouldn’t think twice about killing him.
Angelo walks out of the back room, and his eyes instantly widen. “Pop, what the hell are you doing?”
“Shut up, Angelo,” I hiss, wishing he’d go right back into the back room.
“I have nothing to say to a Conti.” My father’s eyes narrow, and his top lip curls.
“I thought you were leaving the life, Papa,” I remind him, still in shock over what I walked in on.
“Take this shit outside,” Angelo tells my father, not realizing this isn’t shit and the street isn’t the place to let the world know I was knocked up by Leo Conti. “You need to leave, Daphne.”
I hold my hand up, stopping Angelo as he starts to walk toward me. “Don’t,” I tell him.
I’ve never seen this side of my father. Everything he did was hidden away and out of sight. His ruthless side was only spoken about in whispers and during his highly publicized trial.
“I am, baby, but I’ll go back to prison to keep you and my family safe.”
I can’t just stand here and let my dad shoot the father of my baby. “He’s the father,” I say quickly, not even thinking twice about telling my dad if it means I can save Leo’s life.
My father’s gaze slices to mine. “He’s what?”
“Oh fuck,” Angelo mutters and covers his face with his hand.
“Leo and I are in love and we’re having this baby, Papa.” My hand covers my stomach, instinctively wanting to protect the tiny person inside.
I thought my words would defuse the situation and make my father back down. But so far, it hasn’t worked.
“You knocked up my kid?” My father’s tone is venomous.
I take a step forward and hold my hand out, motioning for him to give me the gun. “Dad, be reasonable,” I say, not scared of my father, but worried for Leo. “We love each other.”
“He’s a Conti,” he repeats like Leo’s last name makes one damn bit of a difference to me.
“And I’m a Gallo. Would you want Mario to hold a gun on me?”
“Never,” my father answers quickly.
“Please, Mr. Gallo. Let me explain,” Leo pleads. “I’m not involved in my father’s business. You should know that.”
I walk between the gun and Leo, stopping any chance my father will pull the trigger.
“Move,” my father tells me, but I remain defiant and still.
“Bella,” Leo says in that rich, sinful voice that started this entire mess. He grips my arms and lifts me easily off the floor. “Never put yourself in unnecessary danger. The baby.” His eyes dip to my stomach as he sets me down at his side. “No one is more important than our baby.”
My father’s hard, icy glare lessens. “You’d give your life for my kid?”
“The mother of my child,” Leo replies, raising his chin without an ounce of fear. “I’d do anything to protect them, even if that means giving my life to keep them safe.”
