Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

never forgive me if I told him. I can’t leave this world with him hating me. But if
you tell him…”
“You can’t be serious.”
“He loves you, Giulia. He’d forgive you. How could he not?”
“Even if I told him, it wouldn’t change a thing. He loves Daniele and
Simona. He’d still want Daniele to become Underboss.”
“If that were true, then why did he never want to know the truth? It’s
ingrained in every man, the need to create a legacy, and his legacy grows in your
belly. The only legacy Daniele carries is one of betrayal and incest.”
My eyes grew wide. Fierce protectiveness boiled up inside me. I couldn’t
believe he had the audacity to insult my child in front of me. “How can you say
that?”
Mansueto struggled into a sitting position. “Because it’s true. Don’t you want
your son to become Underboss? Don’t you want him to have the position he
deserves?”
I couldn’t speak. I pressed a palm to my stomach, stunned. Mansueto
misunderstood the gesture.
“Every mother wants what’s best for her own child, and that baby in your
womb is Cassio’s and yours. If you ask Cassio, he’ll disinherit Daniele and make
your son the true heir.”
I shook my head slowly. “He’d never do it.”
“He would. For you. He’d do anything for you. Even that. He loves you
more than anything else.”
“The person he loves would never ask him to disinherit his child.”
Mansueto’s eyes became imploring. “Then don’t ask him. You could let the
truth slip by accident. If people find out about Daniele’s father, they’d never
accept him as Underboss in the Famiglia. Incest is something shameful and
disgusting.”
“Daniele and Simona can’t help who their parents are.”
“Giulia—”
“No,” I said firmly. “You know I respect you, Mansueto, but that you even
consider suggesting something like that…” I took a deep breath. “I won’t do it.
I’ll pretend you never even asked me.” I moved closer to him and took his
wrinkly pale hand again. “Promise me not to tell it to anyone. Promise.”
Mansueto sighed, his eyes tightening with regret.
My pulse sped up. “Who? Who have you told?”
“Your father.”