Page 30 of Angelo

Alessandro cast a curious look in her direction. She strained to keep her face neutral. Benedetto was watching. Her husband's expression tightened with suspicion. "Lovely, indeed."

A shadow of distrust ticked between husband and wife. Alessandro was regarding the music box as though it might be hiding a bomb. As Elyse stared back at him, images of loose blonde hair and red lingerie flitted through her mind.

Everyone kept their composure, but tensions lingered even while Alessandro and Benedetto moved on to discuss their plans for the funeral. Italian filled the air. Elyse pretended as though translations were still necessary. Elyse needed to convince Benedetto that she was willing to keep secrets from her husband.

Benedetto asked,"Il servizio si terrà al chiuso o all'aperto?" Will the service be held indoors or outdoors?

Her husband answered,"All'interno della chiesa." Inside the church.

Benedetto frowned."Pensi di bloccare le uscite?" Do you plan to lock the exits?

Elyse spoke up, "I don't think we should lock the doors. It might alarm our guests. Our intentions must go undetected."

In response, her grandfather's frown deepened. Alessandro's brow furrowed in disagreement as well. But Elyse stood her ground. They debated some more, and the two men were scrutinizing her every action and every word. Perhaps, it was all in her head, but neither of them seemed to trust in her loyalty. The pressure was on. Through sheer force of will, Elyse managed to keep her cool. Barely, though.

Alessandro insisted again on skipping the funeral altogether. She argued that they should attend the beginning of Vincenzo's service. Alessandro wascapo, after all. He was also Vincenzo's son. They needed to avoid rousing suspicion from their allies. If Alessandro didn't pay his respects, then, surely, the other attendees would sense something was amiss.

Benedetto asked,"Chi sparerà il primo colpo?" Who will fire the first shot?

"My men will be positioned around the perimeter," Alessandro answered first in English for Elyse and then once more in Italian for Benedetto. "They willunload a few stray rounds outside the church to spark the violence."

Elyse mumbled, "Once we vacate the premises, they'll know we set them up."

"I doubt anyone will suspect us," her husband asserted. "By then, bullets will be flying, and everyone inside will be too busy panicking and shooting at each other."

Elyse reasoned, "Aberto isn't stupid. Neither is Domenico. If they manage to survive the firefight, we'll need to start sleeping with one eye open."

If Aberto and Domenico failed to kill each other by the end of the funeral, Elyse didn't doubt that the Berlusconis and the De Leóns would immediately come for their throats.

She insisted, "We shouldn't fire at all. The first bullets must come from a Berlusconi or De León gun."

"Tra il dire e il fare c'è di mezzo il mare,"her grandfather muttered.An ocean lies between what is said and what is done.

Elyse glared at Benedetto. "Then what would you suggest?"

Her grandfather laughed darkly."Chiudi le porte. Dai fuoco alla chiesa. I miei uomini possono farlo sembrare un incidente." Lock the doors. Set the church ablaze. My men can make it look like an accident.

What was with these men and their obsession with setting shit on fire?

"No," Elyse's immediate objection spilled out. "There must be another way."

Arranging for two power-hungry criminals to take each other down was one thing. Locking people in a church to burn them alive was another level of evil.

Benedetto stared her down with disdain."Non c'è altro modo." There is no other way.

Elyse scowled. "I disagree."

Alessandro glanced at her with interest. "What should be done instead?"

"We target Gaspare De León over the next few days. Give him a reason to strike against the Berlusconis. I've heard that he has a reputation for being," Elyse released a cough before finishing, "easy to influence."

Malina had called Gaspare an idiot. Her housekeeper also mentioned that Gaspare resented Domenico for inheriting the Berlusconi clan from his father whilehewas still answering to Aberto.

Alessandro protested, "I do not think Gaspare is a good choice."

Her mouth flattened. Gaspare seemed like a prime candidate for their purposes. "Why not?"

"Gaspare is in line to lead the De León clan, which means he is essentiallyAberto's right-hand man. Approaching him seems risky. Aberto might find out about our plans."

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