Page 29 of Angelo

He handed it to her. "This used to belong to your mother. I want you to have it."

There had to be a catch. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She accepted the gift with an awed, uncertain expression. "Thank you…”

“Do you like it?”

“How could I not?” whispered Elyse. “It’s beautiful.”

Benedetto’s eyes glittered dangerously. “Then display it in the room where you and your husband share important conversations."

Green eyes widened by a fraction. Fucking hell. Why did it sound like Gianna’s music box might be bugged? Masking her alarm, Elyse attempted to dismiss her grandfather’s request without pissing him off, “Maybe I should put it in storage instead.”

“Why hide it away?”

“This is such a precious gift,” Elyse explained, thinking of the aged, worn piano in the parlor room. “I’d hate to see my mother’s music box get damaged over time.”

Her grandfather didn't answer her directly, "Do what you want. The box is yours now. But where you decide to place it in your home will tell me everything I need to know. My men and I will be watching and listening and waiting. You can help us gain the upper hand. Or protect your husband.You cannot do both. I hope you make the right choice."

Elyse’s expression darkened with displeasure. This was going to be her first test of loyalty, and Benedetto wanted her to help him spy on Alessandro.

"That's a big ask," she muttered. "What can you offer in return?"

Benedetto laughed. "You are in no position to bargain with me."

This back-and-forth between them was beginning to feel like a real-life chess match, except, in this game, one wrong move might lead to a fucking casket. How could she outplay him? Again, Elyse thought of the piano in the parlor room. Benedetto still reserved a soft spot for Gianna. He kept her piano. He also kept her music box. She decided to appeal to the man's attachment to his dead daughter.

"You destroyed my family by refusing to let my mother be with my father," Elyse murmured. "Surely, you owe me something for it."

Her grandfather snorted. "I owe you nothing. Be grateful that Gianna deserted you. I know her heart. She was trying to protect you."

"From what?"

"Me."

Elyse swallowed a bitter smile. Benedetto didn’t seem to be sentimental about Gianna at all. Time to change gears. She decided to feed his ego instead.

"After some careful consideration," Elyse remarked, “I realize that I’m no match for you.”

"Of course not," he gloated, "I have been playing chess for decades. It is simply not possible for you or your husband to win against me."

"In that case, I’m ready to make my choice. I'll display the music box in our bedroom," she supplied hesitantly, "if you continue to support my husband."

Her grandfather smiled coldly. "Rest assured, as long as you honor the Graviano name, your husband will find a friend in me."

The door swung open. Alessandro re-entered the room at this time."I tuoi cinque minuti sono scaduti." Your five minutes are up.

Benedetto's face gave nothing away."Tempismo perfetto. Abbiamo appena finito qui." Perfect timing. We have just finished up here.

Her husband glanced at the music box in Elyse's hands. Alessandro remarked,"Che bel regalo."What a beautiful gift.

Benedetto smiled pleasantly."Era il bene più prezioso di Gianna. Voi due dovete proteggerlo bene." It was Gianna's most precious possession. You two must guard it well.

Elyse pretended not to understand them as she turned to Alessandro. "Look at what my grandfather gave me, Alessio. This music box belonged to my mother. Isn’t it stunning? I think it would look lovely in our bedroom, don't you?"

She'd chosen their bedroom for a reason. They usually made small talk right before bed while Alessandro took important business calls and meetings in his study. Elyse was trying to protect her husband's privacy while leading her grandfather to believe that the music box would have access to their most intimate conversations as a married couple.

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