Page 47 of Angelo

"I understand."

"Tell me what your brothers intend to do at the funeral."

"No, no, no,not so fast," Mariposa tutted in response, "not until you agree to my terms."

Elyse arched an eyebrow. "Very well. You have my word. Luca and Monte are at my disposal. They’ll guard you, too."

Mariposa scoffed. "My father would never allow your men into our home.”

“That’s why you’ll need to move out as soon as possible.”

“What?”

Elyse countered, "Tell your father that, true to the rumors that started inSverso, you've confirmed that I'm an unstable, inept coke fiend who desperately needs your help to finalize Vincenzo's funeral over the next few days."

Mariposa chuckled nervously. "You know about the rumors?"

"But of course." Elyse bit back a smile. Alessandro and her were the ones who started them.

Worry creased Mariposa’s features. "Your idea may buy us some extra time, but what will happen to me after the funeral?"

"Let's cross that bridge after Sunday," Elyse murmured. "I can't promise anything except that I'll do everything possible to keep you safe."

A frown appeared on Mariposa’s face. "Fuck your promises.Give me guarantees. I am risking my life here, Elyse. If you break your promise, I will be the one who dies!"

"There are no guarantees in life, Mari," Elyse replied in steady tones, "but know that I'll always be straight with you. Even when it's something you don't want to hear."

In truth, Elyse was terrified of promising the moon and then failing to deliver. Mariposa was getting ready to betray her family. If she failed to protect her, it’d leave the younger woman in a far more wretched position than her present one.

Mariposa stayed silent for a moment.

"If I knew how to defend against your brothers at the funeral," Elyse pressed, "I could provide better protection."

Her ability to keep Mariposa alive would boil down to who lived and died on Sunday. Elyse intended to make this clear to the girl, hoping it might give her incentive to help them fight the good fight.

Elyse urged again, "Tell me what you know. I won't betray your trust. If the odds land in our favor after the funeral, I can shield you from your father.Permanently. If we fail on Sunday, you're free to return to your family with your father none the wiser. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain."

Several tense moments ticked by before Mariposa gave in, "Fine."

Elyse waited for the girl to spill her secrets.

"Gaspare intends to kill Domenico at the funeral," Mariposa whispered.

She feigned surprise. "But why would he do such a thing?"

"To avenge Enrico," Mariposa shared grimly. "That is not all, though."

"There's more?"

"My other brothers, in particular, Orlando," Mariposa answered, "have been pushing Gaspare to go all out."

Elyse's eyebrows snapped together. "Why?"

"Orlando, especially, wants to be my father's heir, and he needs Gaspare out of the way. If Gaspare is rash enough to pull a stupid stunt—like killing Domenico Berlusconi at Vincenzo Vitale's funeral—my father would not hesitate to kick Gaspare to the curb and consider someone else as his replacement."

The muscles around Elyse's eyes grew tense. "What about the Berlusconis? Have you spoken to Cara recently?"

Mariposa made a face. "About that…"

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