Page 93 of Knocked Up by My Dad's Mafia Boss

I blink.A rat?We’ve never had a rat, not in all the time Papa’s beendon. Who could it have been? It couldn’t be Marco, he’s too stupid. It couldn’t be Leo, he was one of my father’s favorites.

Ricardo? The thought flits across my mind before I push it down.

Ricardo’s on my security detail. He wouldn’t have the time. Besides, Papa wouldn’t let anyone watch me that he didn’t trust.

Papa hangs up and turns around. He startles when he sees me. “Shit, Sam, you scared the life out of me.”

“What’s going on?” I demand to know, crossing my arms over my chest.

He sighs. “How much did you hear?”

I huff. “Enough.”

“We had a rat. It’s taken care of.”

A horrible thought occurs to me and my mouth goes dry. “Where’s Dante?”

“Christ,” Papa curses. “It’s nothim, Sam. He’s my best friend.”

My knees go weak and I brace myself against my doorjamb to keep them from buckling. I didn’t want to think that Dante could betray us, but with the way he’s been acting lately, it feels like I don’t know him at all. “Who was it?”

“Leo,” Papa says flatly, and my eyes widen. Leo’s been with Papa for a decade, maybe more. He’s always been loyal, even if he does like drugs and gambling too much.

“Jesus,” I mutter.

“I know. But Dante took care of it.”

My stomach flips.Dante killed Leo tonight.It shouldn’t surprise me. Dante’s my father’s number one enforcer these days. I know what that entails.

My hand lands lightly on my stomach before I move it away. I want to ask if Dante’s okay, if he’s injured, and I open my mouth to do it when the front door opens.

Dante shuffles in, shoulders slumped. I let out a sigh of relief, but then he looks up at me. His eyes…

They’re hollow.

My heart flutters. My feet want to go to him. I want to trail my hands over his body, make sure he’s not hurt. But I just stand there, stock still.

“There you are,” Papa says warmly.

Dante doesn’t speak.

“Volkov’s on his way.”

Dante nods sharply, and starts up the stairs. I step back into the doorway of my room as if to hide.

“Thank you, Dante. For everything,” Papa says. Dante’s eyes are focused on mine as he responds.

“Don’t mention it. It’s my job.”

They’re so… empty. My chest feels caved in. Dante tears his eyes away from me. Slips past Papa and heads into his room. Papa sighs.

“That couldn’t have been easy. We went to high school with Leo.”

“Maybe you should go talk to him.”

Papa looks at Dante’s closed door. “I don’t think so. Not now.”

I bite my lip. I want to push, but I can’t. Papa will wonder why. “Areyouokay?” I ask him softly, and Papa looks at me.