Page 109 of Angelo

"What do you mean?"

"Your actions never fail to align with your words," her grandfather explained. "I hope, in time, you will come to trust me, too."

Elyse didn't offer a response. She wasn't ready to open up to Benedetto completely. For now, she simply continued to move her pieces across the checkeredboard between them. Watching him as he watched her. Getting to know him as he got to know her. Both of them had reached the final chapter with Isabella. But their story as grandfather and granddaughter had just begun.

August arrived in a burst of oppressive heat. With Alessandro's future so uncertain, more allies abandoned ship. Elyse and Alessandro didn't care. Money could always be made again. But freedom fromCosa Nostrawas priceless. They were happy to cut these ties, even choosing to look the other way when the Svizzis went after their supply chain with the cartel. The Trevisanos then went after the Svizzis. The two clans clashed like two greedy predators chasing after the same coked-out multimillion dollar prey. Without lifting a finger to defend their territory, Elyse and Alessandro watched the bullets fly and bodies drop.

He told her, "Let them fight. We have already won."

"They just don't know it yet," she added.

Later, Alessandro directed Elyse to funnel more millions into their new businesses. Elyse decided to name one of their hospitals after his mother. She also started sending in anonymous leads through her network to Guilia Amato, a well-known reporter based in Palermo. Benedetto helped spread the news through his contacts. Then, they waited for the dominos to fall.

Temperatures dropped in September. Nasty rumors about the Chief of Police, Boris Demasi, began to swirl. A man motivated by blackmail and bad blood. The public started questioning his integrity.

Then came October. Elyse sent in the final bombshell to Giulia. Proof that Boris had been using lies to bring down Alessandro.

His trial stretched into November. The prosecution put up a good fight, but they were no match for the lawyer that Valentina and Ce´lia had found for him. Mr. Giambrone was fierce and smart. He tore apart the defense and attacked the evidence like a bulldog on steroids.

In December, an article from the local newspaper reported on Boris had fabricated most of the evidence used against Alessandro. By the end of the month, Alessandro's case was thrown out. The moment Elyse found out, she rushed into the living room to find Malina.

"Is it true?" the housekeeper demanded after Elyse delivered the news.

Her knees gave out as she sank into an armchair. A smile of disbelief slowly stretched over her face. She murmured in awe, "I think so,Dios, I thought this day would never come…"

They’d won.

They'd fucking won.

Yet, such a victory felt bitterly underwhelming. It’d been achieved through such ugly, underhanded means. Nevertheless, this moment marked the beginning of an end. The light at the end of their tunnel. A chance to live on their own terms. They were devils who would've done anything to escape hell.

Benedetto was safe.

Her husband was free.

Their businesses were no longer rooted in violence and crime.

Shadows would always exist no matter where they went, but, at last, light outshined the dark.

Without even bothering to pack up her suitcases in the villa where she had been staying, Elyse rushed back to the palazzo. She couldn’t wait to be with her husband. As she entered their front door, Alessandro was already waiting in the foyer. He swept her up into his arms and spun her round and round in the air like a slow-motion scene from an old-fashioned romance. Brown and blue-gray shined brighter than the stars.

"You did it, Alessio," she exclaimed with a sweet sting in her eyes. "I can't believe it! I'm so fucking proud of you!"

Happiness flowed down her cheeks in streams of glistening tears.

"No,wedid it," he whispered happily, kissing away her tears, "I could not have gotten this far without you,cuore mio. It was all for you. Everything was for you."

"Thank you," Elyse breathed, "for saving me."

Alessandro gave her a wry look. He pressed his palm to his stomach. In the exact where his scar hidden beneath his shirt. "You saved me first."

In truth, they had saved each other. Elyse clung to Alessandro in a tender embrace. "I love you so much."

"Not as much as I love you. I am yours. Forever. Always."

Elyse grabbed his wrist and started pulling him toward their bedroom. A small, inviting smile curved on her lips as she flirted, "Show me, then, how much you love me."

His eyes immediately darkened with interest. "With pleasure, wife."

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